A reusable packaging system developed by Whitecroft Lighting to reduce single-use waste across the construction supply chain has been recognised with a 2026 iF Design Award, one of the world’s most prestigious annual design competitions.
Geopak™, a smart, reusable construction packaging and product-tracking system, beat off competition from more than 10,000 entries from across 68 countries to secure an award for Service, System and Process Design, and Service Design.
Geopak™ delivers two major new benefits for the construction industry. Firstly, it enables greater trackability of products and materials in the supply chain by delivering new levels of traceability, thereby improving efficiency and reducing losses.
Secondly, Geopak™ radically reduces the volume of construction waste by introducing a new form of reusable packaging that is set to eliminate thousands of tonnes of single-use packaging.
This is achieved by replacing traditional single-use cardboard packaging with collapsible, reusable crates, or totes, that can be used repeatedly to transport materials.
According to the latest UK government statistics, the UK construction industry produces 117.5 million tonnes of waste annually, with around 35 million tonnes from packaging alone.
Geopak™ is estimated to prevent 100,000 cardboard boxes from entering the construction supply chain over the next two years.
The system has already demonstrated its impact on major projects, such as at Fife College, a net-zero project in Scotland, where it helped construction contractor Balfour Beatty avoid around two tonnes of waste and save £6,000 in waste management costs.
Matt Paskin, Solutions and Marketing Director at Whitecroft Lighting, said: “For Whitecroft Lighting to win one of the world’s most prestigious design awards is an enormous honour and achievement - thank you to iF Design judges and everyone involved.
“What’s particularly remarkable is that Geopak™ is a groundbreaking construction and packaging solution as opposed to commercial lighting, making it a genuine diversification from Whitecroft’s more recognised core purpose.
“As a UK manufacturer, in a highly competitive market, we recognise that we can’t just stay in our lighting lane but try and seek out new advantages and value through innovation across the supply chain.”
To learn more about Geoapak and Whitecroft Lighting’s commitment to circularity, visit whitecroftlighting.com/sustainability/geopak/