Australia’s Worst Packaging: Plastic-Metal ‘Franken-Can’ Wins Unpackit Award

Australia’s inaugural Unpackit Awards have named a plastic-and-metal hybrid beverage container as the nation’s worst packaging. The awards, launched by the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Plastic Free Foundation and WWF-Australia, received hundreds of public nominations. The “franken-can” is not accepted by container refund schemes and cannot be easily recycled. Australia generates 1.3 million tonnes of plastic packaging annually, with 60% of collected litter being packaging waste.

Why the Franken-Can Lost

The plastic-and-metal hybrid can used by cafes for iced drinks took the worst packaging award. Cafes fill thick plastic cups onsite, then weld an aluminium top to the container, making it single-use and disposable. The hybrid design means it is not accepted by container refund schemes and cannot be easily recycled. Cip Hamilton, plastics campaigns manager for the Australian Marine Conservation Society, said the franken-can “ticks every box for problematic packaging.” The cans are already banned in Western Australia but remain legal in other states.

Other Packaging Offenders

Dishonourable mentions went to major retailers and brands for unnecessary plastic use. Mentos received criticism for individually wrapping mints in plastic that litters the Australian landscape. Coles, Woolworths and Aldi were called out for wrapping avocados in plastic netting that sheds microplastics. Kmart also received a mention for wrapping dumbbell weights individually in plastic within its Anko dumbbell set carry case. Experts noted these practices encourage unnecessary single-use consumption.

The Winner: Reusable Milk Kegs

The Udder Way’s refillable milk keg system won Australia’s best packaging award. The 18-litre stainless steel kegs work like beer kegs, allowing baristas to dispense milk directly before containers are returned for cleaning, refilling and reuse. Since 2021, the system has eliminated an estimated 4.5 million single-use plastic milk bottles and more than 246 tonnes of plastic waste. The kegs are now being trialled in some supermarkets, enabling consumers to refill their own reusable bottles. WWF-Australia stated the system demonstrates practical alternatives to single-use packaging already exist.

What Comes Next

Environmental groups say Australia needs national packaging laws to address the plastic crisis. Currently, packaging regulations vary by state, allowing problematic products like franken-cans to remain legal in most jurisdictions. Cip Hamilton called for the government to make producers responsible for the full life cycle of their packaging. The awards highlight that solutions exist but require government support to scale them across the country.

Final Thoughts

Australia’s plastic packaging problem demands action. The Unpackit Awards show both the worst offenders and proven alternatives. Reusable systems like The Udder Way prove change is possible with the right policy support.

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