Consultancy · Logistics & packaging
Australia Post
LCA informs a national packaging strategy built on evidence, not assumption.
Customer profile
Australia Post provides postal and delivery services to all Australians, playing a critical role in connecting communities across the nation. It operates 4,330 post offices, serves 12.3 million delivery points and employs 75,000 people in its extended workforce. The quality and sustainability of packaging is integral to its Corporate Responsibility commitments.
Situation
The challenges that needed addressing.
Competing environmental claims
With conflicting claims about what packaging should be, the challenge was to assess options holistically across GHG emissions, freshwater use and land use, without mitigating one impact at the expense of another.
Science-based decisions required
Packaging options needed to be validated with a formal Life Cycle Assessment governed by ISO standards 14040 and 14044, ensuring a scientific, defensible approach to measuring environmental impacts.
Solution
How Empauer helped.
In 2019, Australia Post engaged Empauer to conduct a streamlined LCA of four packaging alternatives compared against a baseline virgin LDPE plastic satchel. The study assessed five indicators: GHG emissions, non-renewable resource use, freshwater consumption, land use and ecosystem quality. The alternatives assessed were a compostable plastic satchel, satchels made from 80% and 100% recycled LDPE, and a cardboard box. Secondary packaging and transport to Australia Post facilities were included in scope. Various recycling, composting and landfill end-of-life scenarios were also considered.
“With the environmental benefits of the satchel made from 80% recycled LDPE substantiated by LCA, in 2019 Australia Post made the strategic decision to overhaul its satchel range.”
Outcomes
What the work delivered.
A clear packaging recommendation
The LCA confirmed that satchels made from recycled-content LDPE were the most environmentally friendly option. At 80% recycled content, they met Australia Post's strength specifications while delivering a significant reduction across all environmental indicators.
A changed national satchel range
In 2020, Australia Post overhauled its satchel range. Today, less than 5% of its satchels are made with virgin plastic, with a commitment to 100% recycled content by end of 2021.
A circular economy framework
LCA findings informed a holistic circular economy approach spanning design, sourcing, manufacturing, procurement, distribution and end-of-life, with partnerships like REDcycle to ensure satchels can be recycled.
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