Packaging Across Our Brands
RVM Australia is responsible for the packaging of products across six consumer brands sold through major Australian retailers. This page outlines our approach across the portfolio.
No EPS. Minimal single-use plastics.
Australia has progressively banned expanded polystyrene (EPS) and single-use plastic packaging across all states and territories. These bans reflect a clear direction in Australian packaging policy — and one that RVM had already been moving toward ahead of legislative requirements.
Across our entire brand portfolio, RVM uses no EPS in product packaging. Where protective inserts are required, we use cardboard-based and paper-based alternatives that are fully recyclable through standard kerbside streams.
Single-use plastic components are kept to an absolute minimum across all brands. This is not simply a compliance position — it reflects our view that well-designed packaging can protect, present and deliver products to retail without materials that create unnecessary environmental burden for consumers and the broader waste system.
Our packaging footprint
The RVM brand portfolio spans multiple product categories, each with distinct packaging requirements:
| Brand | Category | Primary packaging |
|---|---|---|
| Tauris | AV furniture — entertainment units, hi-fi racks, brackets, speaker stands | Corrugated cardboard cartons, cardboard corner and edge protection |
| Criterion | Home and office furniture — entertainment units, tables, bookcases, décor | Corrugated cardboard cartons, cardboard protective inserts |
| Workzone | Home office furniture — desks, bookcases | Corrugated cardboard cartons, flat-pack board, cardboard hardware packaging |
| Urban Style | Home décor — wall art, woven baskets, vases, soft furnishings | Kraft paper wrapping, paper tissue, card hang tags, cardboard boxes |
| ELLE HOME | Cookware and home textiles — frypans, heated throws | Retail cardboard boxes, paper sleeve packaging |
| Westinghouse Small Appliances | Kitchen appliances — kettles, toasters, air fryers, cookware | Retail cardboard boxes, cardboard inserts, paper instruction booklets |
Our approach to packaging design
No EPS, no single-use plastic foam
In line with Australian state and territory legislation, none of our brands use polystyrene foam or plastic foam. Protective packaging needs are met through corrugated and honeycomb cardboard structures, moulded pulp where appropriate, and paper-based void fill.
Right-size packaging
We design packaging to fit the product — minimising void fill and excess material. For furniture products where protective packaging is critical for transit, we balance protection requirements against material efficiency.
Recyclable materials
All primary and secondary packaging across the RVM portfolio is designed to be recyclable through standard Australian kerbside recycling. Corrugated cardboard has one of the highest recovery and recycling rates of any packaging material in Australia.
Clear consumer labelling
All RVM product packaging includes recycling guidance to assist consumers in disposing of packaging correctly. This is a standard requirement across all six brands.
Recycled content
We work with our manufacturing partners to incorporate recycled content into packaging materials where it meets our quality and structural requirements.
Minimising residual plastics
Where small plastic components remain — such as product assembly hardware bags — we are actively reviewing these on a brand-by-brand basis to identify practical alternatives as they become available.
Brand spotlight — Tauris
Tauris products — particularly the larger entertainment unit ranges including Titan, Hollywood, Astro, Suave and Vice — are among the most substantial packaged products in the RVM portfolio by size and weight. Large flat-pack furniture units in corrugated cartons represent the most significant packaging volume across the business.
- All protective packaging uses corrugated and solid cardboard structures — no EPS or foam inserts
- Corrugated board is fully recyclable through kerbside recycling
- Carton and insert design is reviewed to maximise material efficiency while maintaining the protection standards required for large, fragile furniture items
- RVM's no-EPS, minimal-plastics standard is maintained across all ranges including Harvey Norman exclusive products
Brand spotlight — Westinghouse Small Appliances & ELLE HOME
Appliances and cookware involve more considered packaging design — retail shelf appeal requires well-presented box packaging, while product protection requires thoughtful internal structure. For these brands:
- Retail outer packaging is cardboard-based with print finishes — no plastic windows or acetate inserts where avoidable
- Internal product protection uses cardboard tray and insert structures rather than foam or EPS
- ELLE HOME cookware uses cardboard presentation boxes with paper-based internal fitments
- All appliance packaging across both brands is designed for kerbside recyclability
Urban Style & home décor packaging
Urban Style home décor products — woven baskets, wall art, vases, soft furnishings — present a different packaging challenge. Many items are delicate and irregularly shaped. Our approach prioritises natural and unbleached kraft paper wrapping, paper tissue for decorative items, card hang tags, and cardboard gift boxes for sets and multi-piece items. Where small plastic components remain — such as protection where moisture exposure is a genuine product risk — we continue to review practical paper-based alternatives.
APCO reporting
Our progress against all packaging commitments — including the elimination of EPS, reduction of single-use plastics, recyclability rates and recycled content — is measured and reported annually through the APCO program. Our Annual Report Summaries are published on this website and reflect our packaging performance across the full RVM brand portfolio.