Students from Monash led a packaging design for an energy ball company that uses leftover peanut shells.
The design has been recognized worldwide for sustainable innovative packaging.
The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) entered seven Monash student teams for the first time in the global WorldStar Student Awards.
Through the industry-focused, student-led New Frontiers program at Monash Food Innovation (MFI), the team that won silver partnered with energy ball company Camel to create sustainable packaging made from peanut shells.
This by-product or waste is traditionally landfilled or incinerated, adding atmospheric CO2.
They used 30% peanut shells in making fiberboard food packaging and saw it as a means of upgrading food waste and aligning the packaging with the New Frontiers food program.
It's organic, vegan, with no added sugar or preservatives, and 100% compostable.
"This award means that new, innovative, sustainable product packaging is now recognized," says Monash student Caterina Palma.
"We are excited that our peanut by-product fibreboard concept may be introduced and used in the future of sustainable packaging."
The New Frontiers Program
As part of this program, SMBs work with a dedicated team of students for 10 to 12 weeks to work on a business challenge in the areas of food, beverage, market analysis, new product development and packaging.
Adam Norris, Design Manager at MFI, says, "The AIP and WorldStar Student Awards give our students a unique opportunity to display and recognize their industry partnership work on a global platform."
