We’re proud to announce that Penguin Random House and United Book Distributors have achieved our target for recycled content well ahead of schedule.
Established in 2018, the APCO National Packaging Targets were created to implement legislation against certain materials and set targets for companies to achieve by 2025.
While state and federal governments have paved the way for legislation, it's up to us to play our role in the transition towards a more sustainable future.
Over the past six months, Penguin Random House (PRH) and United Book Distributors (UBD) staff have focused on improving the sustainability of our packaging, with an eye on achieving all four of the targets set out by APCO. With our commitment to meeting the targets as soon as possible, we're thrilled to share that we have officially ticked off our first target two years early.
Now, our packaging at UBD is made of 51.7% recycled content – a wonderful step towards a circular economy and our sustainability goals. Focusing our energy on items that we knew would have the greatest effect on overall packaging weight, we have sought out sustainable alternatives:
- changing the composition of our carton lids to 100% recycled cardboard
- implementing recycled cardboard poster boxes
- switching to paper-based tape
- using pallet caps made of 15% recycled materials
- new pallet wrap that is only ten microns thick (just over a year ago, we were using a twenty-five-micron pallet wrap)
It hasn't been easy, but the results have been truly astounding.
Overall, we have reduced our plastic usage by a massive 9,656 kg per year!
Thus far, the success of our transition towards a more sustainable future has been truly inspiring. We have no intention of stopping and are committed to improving even further, hopefully ticking off more targets well ahead of schedule. Watch this space!
See the targets that PRH achieved in 2023 and our plans for the future.
Volunteers from PRH and UBD participated in a day of tree-planting to help future-proof the Summerland Peninsula from the increasing threat of fire.
In celebration of World Penguin Day 2023, check out these 10 fun facts about a native Australian penguin species, the little penguin.
Penguin Random House AU (PRH AU) and United Book Distributors (UBD) employees set out to collect rubbish for Clean Up Australia Day 2023. Read all about our adventures and see photos of our clean-ups in action.
As part of our ongoing commitment to support conservation and environmental initiatives, Penguin Random House ANZ will provide funding to the Penguin Foundation.
Learn how Penguin Random House ANZ is working with FedEx and StarTrack with a shared focus on leading the way in sustainability.
At Penguin Random House, we believe it’s essential to examine our environmental impact. Meet our Green Team, a group of employees who hold us all accountable and help us take on more eco-friendly initiatives.
We chatted with our partners at United Book Distributors (UBD) to find out what's being done to make our shipping and distribution practices more environmentally-friendly. See what Matt O'Brien, Operations Director at UBD had to say.
'We can’t solve a problem like climate change without an honest accounting of how much we need to do and what obstacles we need to overcome.' – Bill Gates, How To Avoid a Climate Disaster
As part of our efforts to become a greener workplace, we've recently appointed our very own Penguin Random House Sustainability Officer. Keep reading to meet Jordan, find out what inspired her to take on this role, and learn about her favourite books.
Learn about two exciting Penguin Random House author showcases this August!
Read by example this Mother’s Day with these book duos, perfect for mums and their children.