Gary Smith

CEO, BioPak

National Finalist in EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Australia

Gary Smith is the CEO and co-founder of BioPak, an award-winning, global leader in compostable packaging that provides rapidly renewable plant-based alternatives to plastic food service items.

Gary’s dedication, inventiveness and enthusiasm for positive change have revolutionised the foodservice packaging industry and accelerated its movement toward the circular economy in Australia, New Zealand and overseas.

Gary has the ability to identify opportunities, take calculated risks and transform ideas into profitable businesses. His entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. After finishing high school at 17, he founded a computer hardware distribution business. Since then, he has created nine successful companies.

BioPak serves a diverse clientele including distributors, retailers, QSRs, cafes and stadiums. Its certified compostable packaging is used by major customers such as 7-Eleven, Allpress, Campos, KFC, McDonald's and Guzman Y Gomez.

For almost two decades, BioPak has disrupted an industry and continues to help businesses across the globe reduce the environmental impact.

In 2021, after years of R&D, Smith spearheaded the development and launch of Australia’s first national composting initiative, Compost Connect. This platform connects businesses with commercial composters to divert compostable packaging and food waste from landfill and educates consumers on home composting solutions to reduce their waste across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK.

BioPak's growth has been exponential, with EBIT and revenue increasing by 15–20% annually, with revenue now exceeding $300 million.

Gary shows the same focus and effort in his personal life as he does at work. He completed his first marathon at the age of 48 in 3 hours and 35 minutes. Despite a full-to-brimming work schedule, Gary never compromises on family time.

As a B Corp, BioPak donates 5% of profits to positive change via its Give Back Fund.