Working towards

compostable packaging solutions

The work of our compostable packaging technical advisory group aims to remove the challenges compostable packaging faces in New Zealand. We’re partnering with other stakeholders and organisations to ensure we come up with robust solutions that benefit our environment, communities and businesses.

Work programme

Phase 1

Research and Analysis
October 2020-March 2021

Define use-case for compostable packaging
Stocktake of compostable packaging projects
Stocktake size of compostable packaging industry and stakeholders

Phase 2

Transition
April 2021-March 2022

Home composter trial with NZ Gardener, WasteMinz and home composters in New Zealand
Work with solutions providers to develop capacity, infrastructure, collections
Support key stakeholders as required to reach outcomes

Phase 3

Delivery
April 2022-March 2023

Implementation of a working system for compostable packaging/products
Product stewardship co-design process

What’s included in our work?

Food serviceware such as coffee cups, fibre-board plates and bowls, wooden and PLA (polylactic acid) cutlery
Flexible plastic packaging such as starch/PBS blends
Rigid plastic packaging such as PLA
Courier bags
Other compostable packaging manufactured and sold by members

What’s not included?

Oxo-degradable plastics
Packaging with contents that are harmful to the end of life environment. e.g. most beauty and cleaning products

Why compostables?

Compostable packaging can play a significant role in keeping packaging out of landfill. This is particularly the case where the content has nutrient value and where packaging would be too contaminated for recycling.

But when compostables do get put into landfill instead of being sent to composting facilities, they cause problems due to the methane they release. That’s why brands, consumers, collectors and processors all have a role to play in ensuring this type of packaging ends up in the right place.

Some of the items suitable for being composted are FMCG packaging for products containing food, fruit stickers and food serviceware. The composting process allows this type of waste to be turned into a valuable addition to soil.

Compostable packaging does not have a role to play in products with contents that are harmful to the end of life environment and composting process.

Current barriers to compostable solutions

We’ve identified a number of barriers to compostability in New Zealand. Our team is working with other stakeholders through a systems approach to arrive at a national solution that benefits New Zealand and New Zealanders. Some of the barriers we believe need addressing are:

No agreed compostability standard for NZ conditions
No agreed labelling standard
Limited collection network
Variation of compostable products and facility requirements
Confusion with conventional (non-compostable) materials
Contamination
Organic certification requirements for facilities

Our team

Our technical advisory group is led by Kim Renshaw from Beyond the Bin and includes Packaging Forum members with expertise and interest in compostable packaging and end of life solutions.