Terms & Conditions

Eco Alternative (ABN 48 488 245 415)  ·  Version 1.0  ·  Last updated: 8 March 2026

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These Terms and Conditions (Terms) govern access to and use of the Eco Alternative website and the purchase of products or services from Eco Alternative.

Eco Alternative operates as an Australian sole trader under ABN 48 488 245 415, trading as Eco Alternative (referred to in these Terms as we, us, or our).

Eco Alternative operates both as a supplier of compostable food-service packaging and related materials, and as a provider of sustainability and circular economy solutions, including consultation, certification and services designed to assist businesses in reducing waste and improving environmental outcomes.

By registering for an account, accessing this website, or placing an order with Eco Alternative, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use this website or place an order.

These Terms incorporate Eco Alternative's Shipping Policy, Returns and Refunds Policy and Privacy Policy, which together form part of the contractual framework governing purchases from Eco Alternative. In the event of any inconsistency between those documents and these Terms, these Terms prevail.

2. Definitions

In these Terms, the following definitions apply:

  • Business Day means Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in New South Wales.
  • Customer, you or your means the individual or entity accessing the website or placing an order with Eco Alternative.
  • Goods means physical products supplied by Eco Alternative.
  • GST has the meaning given by the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth).
  • Order means a request by you to purchase Goods or Services from Eco Alternative.
  • Services means sustainability-related services provided by Eco Alternative.
  • ACL means the Australian Consumer Law set out in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
  • Website means the website operated by Eco Alternative through which Goods and Services are offered.
  • Carton means a standard full carton of product as defined by the relevant manufacturer. For the purposes of calculating shipping fees: Napkins and cutlery products supplied by BioPak are defined as half-cartons. Packs supplied by Greenmark or other suppliers are defined as quarter-cartons.

3. Scope of Supply

3.1 Physical Goods

Eco Alternative supplies physical goods including, but not limited to: compostable food-service packaging, shopfront stickers, and printed media and signage.

Eco Alternative operates primarily as a distributor of products supplied by manufacturers and authorised suppliers. As such, goods may be dispatched directly from manufacturer or supplier warehouses rather than from Eco Alternative premises.

All physical products purchased through the online store are supplied within Australia. International sales may be facilitated by special request and at Eco Alternative's discretion.

3.2 Services

Eco Alternative may provide sustainability-related services including consultation, certification, and circular economy or waste-reduction solutions. Where services are provided, a separate written service agreement or statement of work will govern the engagement.

4. Pricing and GST

All prices displayed on the website are exclusive of GST unless otherwise stated. GST is calculated and added at checkout in accordance with Australian taxation legislation.

Eco Alternative makes reasonable efforts to ensure pricing accuracy. Where a pricing error is identified prior to dispatch, Eco Alternative reserves the right to correct the price and contact you to confirm the revised order. You will be given the option to proceed at the corrected price or cancel the order and receive a full refund.

5. Orders and Payment

All payments are processed securely through Stripe. By placing an order, you authorise Eco Alternative to charge the total amount (including GST and any applicable freight) to your nominated payment method.

Orders are subject to acceptance and product availability. Eco Alternative reserves the right to decline or cancel orders where necessary, including where a pricing error has occurred, supplier stock is unavailable, fraudulent or suspicious activity is suspected, or the ordering system has been misused or exploited.

Where an order is declined or cancelled, you will be notified promptly and any payment received will be refunded in full.

You are responsible for reviewing Sales Order confirmations and notifying Eco Alternative of any discrepancies promptly, and in any event within two Business Days of receipt.

6. Order Processing and Documentation

6.1 Sales Orders

Once an order has been processed, Eco Alternative will issue a Sales Order confirmation to the email address specified in the delivery address details.

6.2 Tax Invoices

Tax invoices are issued once all items within an order have been dispatched and will be sent to the email address specified in the billing address details.

6.3 Order Amendments

Where a change to an order is required after placement, amendments may be handled through a revised Sales Order. Our commitment to fast shipping means orders are typically picked within one hour of placement. The following fees apply to order amendments:

  • If the order has not yet been picked — no fee will apply.
  • If the order has been picked but not yet dispatched — a fee of $5.00 + GST per carton will apply.
  • If the order has been picked and delivered — a fee will apply and will be advised upon the amendment or return request.

7. Dispatch and Delivery

7.1 Dispatch Timeframes

All orders are processed promptly and Eco Alternative endeavours to have products shipped as quickly as possible. Customers should allow up to three (3) Business Days for delivery. To be eligible for next-Business-Day delivery, orders must be received no later than 12:30 pm Sydney time (AEST or AEDT).

7.2 Stock Verification

Stock availability is verified after an order is placed. If any item is unavailable, Eco Alternative will contact you within one Business Day to discuss options.

7.3 Alternative Warehouse Fulfilment

Where goods are unavailable from the nearest warehouse, Eco Alternative may arrange fulfilment from an alternative location, including interstate, typically without additional charge.

7.4 Delivery Providers

Deliveries may be fulfilled by manufacturer-appointed couriers or Eco Alternative staff.

7.5 Delivery Access

You are responsible for ensuring safe and reasonable delivery access. Additional charges may apply where delivery cannot be completed due to access restrictions, incorrect addresses, or the absence of an authorised recipient where Authority to Leave has not been selected.

7.6 Authority to Leave

Authority to Leave applies only where you have explicitly selected this option at checkout. Where Authority to Leave is selected, delivery is deemed completed once goods are left at the nominated location, and Eco Alternative and its delivery providers accept no liability for loss or damage.

7.7 Delivery Damage or Shortages

You must notify Eco Alternative of any delivery damage, shortage, or incorrect items within 48 hours of receipt to allow prompt investigation.

8. Shipping Policy

This clause sets out the shipping fees and delivery arrangements that apply to orders placed through the Eco Alternative website. Standard published shipping rates apply to deliveries within metropolitan areas across Australia. Regional, remote or unusual delivery locations may be assessed separately and may require additional freight charges or custom arrangements. International shipping is available by arrangement, subject to custom terms.

8.1 BioPak Orders

  • For orders of four (4) cartons or more: shipping is free.
  • For orders of fewer than four (4) cartons: a flat shipping fee of $15.00 applies.
  • Cartons of napkins and cutlery are defined as half-cartons by BioPak for shipping threshold purposes.

8.2 Greenmark and Other Supplier Orders

  • For orders of five (5) cartons or more: shipping is free.
  • For orders of fewer than five (5) cartons: a flat shipping fee of $15.00 applies.
  • Packs supplied by Greenmark and other suppliers are defined as quarter-cartons for shipping threshold purposes.

8.3 Combination Orders

  • For orders of ten (10) or more cartons in any combination: shipping is free.
  • For orders under ten (10) cartons, a shipping fee applies for each supplier grouping below its threshold.
  • The maximum shipping fee for any order is $30.00.

9. Risk and Title

  • Ownership of goods transfers to you once payment has been received in full.
  • Risk in goods transfers to you once the goods have been delivered to the nominated delivery address.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any rights available to you under the ACL.

10. Product Storage and Handling

Packaging products must be stored in a cool, dry environment, away from direct sunlight, and protected from temperatures exceeding 30°C or excessive humidity. Improper storage may result in product degradation.

11. Returns and Refunds

11.1 Change-of-Mind Returns

Returns may be accepted where the following conditions are met:

  • The return request is made within seven (7) days of the invoice date.
  • The goods remain unopened, with outer carton and inner product sleeves intact.
  • The goods have been stored appropriately.
  • A Return Authorisation (RA) number has been requested from and issued by Eco Alternative prior to returning goods.

To request an RA number, contact Eco Alternative at sales@ecoalternative.com.au. The original outbound freight cost is non-refundable. A restocking and administration fee of $5.00 + GST per carton and a return freight fee of approximately $15.00 + GST applies for approved returns where Eco Alternative is not at fault.

11.2 Returns Due to Eco Alternative Error

Where a return arises due to an administrative error attributable to Eco Alternative, Eco Alternative will cover reasonable return costs and arrange replacement or refund.

11.3 ACL Remedies

The seven (7) day return window applies to change-of-mind returns only and does not limit or affect any rights you may have under the ACL. You are entitled to remedies under the ACL where goods are faulty, not as described, or not fit for their intended purpose.

11.4 Damaged Goods

Damaged goods are not eligible for return to the warehouse. Where goods are received in a damaged condition, Eco Alternative will assess the claim and, where accepted, issue a credit. Notify Eco Alternative within 48 hours of receipt in accordance with clause 7.7.

12. Refunds

Where refunds are required, they will be processed to the original Stripe payment method used for the transaction, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

13. Product Use and Compostability

Products supplied by Eco Alternative are intended primarily for commercial food-service use. You are responsible for ensuring products are suitable for your intended application. The ability to compost products depends on access to appropriate commercial composting facilities.

14. Intellectual Property

All content on the Eco Alternative website — including text, graphics, logos, images, product descriptions, and sustainability documentation — is the property of Eco Alternative or its licensors and is protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. You must not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, modify, or commercialise any content without Eco Alternative's prior written consent.

15. Warranties and Disclaimers

Eco Alternative warrants that all goods supplied are fit for their intended purpose. Should any goods not meet this warranty, Eco Alternative will, at your election, either replace the goods at no cost or provide a full refund.

16. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, Eco Alternative's total liability to you for any claim is limited to the value of the goods or services supplied under the relevant order. To the extent permitted by law, Eco Alternative is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential loss or damage. Any claim must be made within twelve (12) months of the date of delivery or supply. Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, restrict, or modify any rights or remedies available to you under the ACL.

17. Force Majeure

Eco Alternative is not liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay is caused by circumstances beyond Eco Alternative's reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemic or public health emergencies, supply chain disruptions, government restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism. If a force majeure event continues for more than thirty (30) days, either party may elect to cancel the affected order without penalty.

18. Dispute Resolution

18.1 Step 1 – Direct Negotiation

The party raising the dispute must provide written notice to the other party. The parties must attempt to resolve the dispute through good-faith negotiation within ten (10) Business Days.

18.2 Step 2 – Mediation

If the dispute is not resolved through negotiation, either party may refer the matter to mediation administered by a mutually agreed mediator or, failing agreement, by the Australian Disputes Centre.

18.3 Step 3 – Litigation

If mediation fails to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days of commencement, either party may pursue the matter through the courts in accordance with clause 19.

19. Variation of Terms

Eco Alternative may update or vary these Terms from time to time. The updated Terms will be published on the website with a revised Last Updated date. Your continued use of the website or placement of an order following notification of updated Terms constitutes acceptance of those Terms.

20. Website Availability

Eco Alternative makes reasonable efforts to maintain website availability and content accuracy. The website may occasionally be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance, technical issues, or circumstances outside Eco Alternative's control.

21. Privacy

Eco Alternative collects and manages personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and its Privacy Policy, available on the website. Privacy enquiries may be directed to info@ecoalternative.com.au.

22. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. Subject to the dispute resolution process in clause 18, any disputes arising in connection with these Terms will be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales.

23. General

  • Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with any incorporated policies and any separate written service agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties.
  • Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be severed and the remaining provisions will continue in full force.
  • No Waiver: A failure by Eco Alternative to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver.
  • Relationship of Parties: These Terms do not create a partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship between the parties.

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