Corrugated converter Vanguard Packaging topped Summit Publishing's second annual Greener Package Awards for packaging sustainability, earning both the Beyond the Package Award and Innovator of the Year.

The eight winners, selected by members of the Greener Package Expert Network, demonstrate that sustainability can be found in a variety of technologies and materials, says Summit Publishing. This year the publishing firm received 98 entries, a 57 percent increase over last year.

Here are a few reasons why Vanguard topped the list this year. In October 2009, Vanguard completed the three-year development of a 250,000-sq-ft subterranean manufacturing facility, adjacent to its existing 150,000-sq-ft underground fulfillment and assembly plant, in the Hunt Midwest Subtropolis industrial park in Kansas City, MO. The operation and facility feature a variety of green initiatives, which have resulted in big sustainability gains and cost savings for Vanguard, according to the report.

Seven other companies also received awards, including Coca-Cola for its 30 percent plant-based PlantBottle. This is the first commodity resin partially derived from plants that is fully recyclable in community programs, which also ties into Coca-Cola's commitment to recycling via their "Give it Back" campaign, says Summit.

KFC's sustainable sides container was also a winner. The new polypropylene container and lid replaces the fast food restaurant's former single-use expanded polystyrene version for side dishes.

Other winners include GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare for its 6-oz Aquafresh White & Shine toothpaste carton, and Ball Horticultural's new SoilWrap bio-based plantable, compostable plant container, said to completely eliminate 100 percent of the environmental impact of the package, while reducing related fuel emissions.

Household Essentials won an award for its Ironing Board Cover & Pad that eliminates the polyvinyl chloride pouch package. The pad includes a 100-percent recycled paperboard bellyband around the cloth construction with marketing information in nontoxic ink.

Here's a list of the 2010 Greener Package Awards winners by categories:

Innovator of the Year:
–Vanguard Packaging: Green subterranean manufacturing facility

Food & Pharmaceutical Packaging:
– Coca-Cola: PlantBottle 30 percent plant-based PET bottle
– KFC: Reusable KFC Sides Container

Personal Care/Cosmetics Packaging:
–GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare: Aquafresh White & Shine toothpaste carton with HoloBrite filmless holographic technology

Non-Food Primary Packaging:
–Ball Horticultural: SoilWrap bio-based, compostable plant container
–Household Essentials: Ironing Board Cover & Pad (with Packaging Pouch)

Secondary/Large-Format Packaging:
–Bway: Eco-Pail recycled-content, recyclable HDPE pail
–Cryopak Industries: TimeSaver72 insulated shipper for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products

Beyond the Package Award:
–Vanguard Packaging: Green subterranean manufacturing facility