Latest news with #compostable
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
NZ researchers work to turn agricultural waste into packaging
One collaboration included developing moulded fibre trays infused with blueberry pomace, the leftover residue from juicing or processing. Photo: Supplied / Plant and Food Research Scientists from public research organisation Scion are working with farmers and growers to turn all kinds of agricultural waste - from blueberries to avocado stones - into sustainable and compostable packaging. The project is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's collaborative Bioresource Processing Alliance (BPA). Team leader for sustainable materials Kate Parker said fibre packaging was a "huge growth industry" globally, as researchers looked to come up with viable alternatives to plastic. Parker said Scion 's researchers were exploring whether incorporating agricultural byproducts into moulded fibre trays could enhance their strength and moisture resistance. The researchers were open-minded about where the waste materials was sourced. "We've looked at all sorts of different biomasses out there, across waste streams that are coming out of different New Zealand industries. We've looked at things like the outer leaves of cabbage that the market farmers have a big excess of, we've looked at the hemp fibres that are not used for other applications. Avocado stones is another, left over from the oil industry. Pretty much anything." Among the waste material being looked at are avocado stones left over from the oil industry. Photo: Parker said it was "early days" for the project. Scion was talking to both producers who needed to get rid of waste, as well as businesses who wanted non-plastic packaging. "At this stage researchers are concentrating on producing fibre next stage is definitely talking a lot to industry to figure out what they want, what properties are important, what they need and how we can tailor a product to suit the performance requirements that they have for their product." Developing non-plastic, food-grade packaging products could potentially come later, she added. One collaboration included developing moulded fibre trays infused with blueberry pomace, the leftover residue from juicing or processing the berries at Rotorua grower Mamaku Blue. Owner Michaela Frost says the purple trays were not just eye catching but were an "exciting" opportunity for her business, the sector and the environment. Horticulture used a lot of plastic, she added. "It does make sense because it's easy to use. It's been around for quite a while now and it's just very affordable. But then it goes back into [landfill] where you don't want to have it." Another major benefit was getting rid of the huge amounts of blueberry byproduct - as much as 10 tonnes a year - that Mamaku Blue dealt with, said Frost. "We are already creating some products from byproduct, such as freeze dried berries and oils, but we just can never deal with it all fast enough." Scion's bio-products and packaging portfolio leader Christophe Collet said the work aimed to reduce waste while supporting New Zealand's circular bioeconomy. "We're using waste stream that would go otherwise to landfill. So we use some materials and incorporating them with some wood fibre packaging that is coming also from a renewable resource, being wood. [The new packaging product] replaces traditional plastics which would be produced from the oil industry. At the end of life it is combustible, and will turn back into water and CO2." He said businesses with waste streams should get in touch to see whether Scion could also help them add value to their biomass byproduct. "We can develop new projects, using the funding that is covering most of the cost of the research project."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
APP Group and Continental Cup Introduce GC120: A Plastic-Free, Compostable Cup Line for Sustainable Foodservice
JAKARTA, Indonesia, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As businesses seek more sustainable packaging solutions, APP Group is proud to collaborate with Continental Cup in launching GC120, a compostable, and recyclable cup line designed to meet growing global sustainability demands. Data from Vivreau stated that consumer attitudes toward single-use plastics are shifting, with 50% of Americans feeling guilty when purchasing plastic water bottles. This sentiment is even stronger among younger consumers, with 61% of those aged 18 to 34 expressing concern over their plastic consumption. The launch of GC120 cups directly addresses this growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives, offering businesses a PFAS-free, food-safe solution that aligns with both regulatory changes and consumer expectations. Manufactured using APP Group's Foopak Bio Natura, GC120 cups provide a PFAS-free, food-safe alternative to conventional plastic-lined cups, addressing both environmental concerns and regulatory requirements. The water-based barrier technology ensures these cups are compostable and recyclable, supporting a circular economy while maintaining high heat resistance and durability for foodservice applications. "As sustainability standards evolve, businesses need packaging solutions that align with both regulatory changes and consumer expectations," said Kin Keung Christopher Wong, SVP & Global Business Unit Head, Industrial White for APP. "With GC120, we're delivering a high-performance, eco-friendly alternative that helps brands reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing quality." The GC120 line is a key step in APP Group's ongoing commitment to sustainable innovation, ensuring that food and beverage providers can transition away from traditional plastic-coated cups while maintaining product safety and performance. These cups are designed for businesses seeking practical, responsible alternatives that comply with industry regulations and support long-term sustainability goals. GC120 was first introduced at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show, where industry leaders recognized its potential to reshape foodservice packaging by offering a viable, plastic-free solution at scale. About APP Group APP is a leading pulp, paper, and forestry company based in Indonesia, supplying high-quality tissue, packaging, and paper to over 150 countries. With operations in Indonesia and China, we prioritize sustainability, ethical practices, and the well-being of our employees, society, and the environment. Our Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2030, aligned with ESG principles, guides our efforts in environmental protection, community support, biodiversity preservation, and carbon neutrality. View original content: SOURCE APP Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
06-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
A Look at How CNH and Nature's Net Wrap Are Rolling Out a World-First Natural Solution to Plastic Pollution
The latest installment in world-class equipment, technology and services company, CNH 's 'A Sustainable Year' series spotlights the science behind Canadian bale storage innovator Nature's Net Wrap, a CNH Ventures partner. CNH speak with the innovators driving it forward, Larry and Austin Ruud, ranchers in Western Canada. And they highlight the real-world impact of rolling out their compostable bale net wrap across their Case IH and New Holland brand dealer networks in North America. The article also features customer feedback and insights from researchers at Lakeland College in Canada, who bring their scientific perspective to the discussion. Plastic net wrap and twine account for approximately 2.5 million tons of waste per year – at least half of all plastic waste in agriculture – and the market is worth around $1 billion USD a year. Nature's Net Wrap has developed the world's first compostable bale net wrap, which is made from a blend of biopolymers and natural fibers that have been tested extensively. It exceeds all global certification requirements and is currently patent pending. CNH presents this story on World Environment Day 2025 which calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from CNH
ABC News
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- ABC News
Paper clothing is on the catwalk but is it a solution to fast fashion?
Each year, the average Australian throws out about 11 kilograms of clothing, according to the latest National Waste Report. But what if some of that could be composted? It might sound surprising, but paper fashion has been around for centuries and while it remains far from the mainstream, interest is growing, according to Australian designer Anzara Clark. She holds sold-out workshops to overcome people's misconceptions about the power of paper. "I think in the West we see paper as something that's fragile … that we wrap things in and we write on," Ms Clark said. "I've got a paper vest that I made as a prototype last year, and I've worn it 60 times and it's still in fantastic condition." It's a long process to turn paper into a cloth that is not only durable, but also washable. Ms Clark works with Japanese washi paper, made from the bark of the mulberry tree. It takes her four to six days to process and dye each sheet. Massaging products into the material is an intensive workout. "I've got really strong hands … I often feel it in my shoulders and neck if I do too much in a day," Ms Clark said. Fresh from Eco Fashion Week in Western Australia and Craft Lab in Ballarat, Victoria, where she lives, Ms Clark is fundraising in the hope of being able to accept an invitation to one of fashion's most prestigious Big Four events: London Fashion Week. Ms Clark's international recognition seems a far cry from her early days experimenting with paper fashion. "I was just messing around post-surgery in recovery from an operation … weaving some old Japanese account book pages together," Ms Clark said. She went on to study traditional techniques in Korea and Japan, developing her own practice to make accessories and garments. Melbourne-based designer and RMIT sessional academic Jake Nakashima-Edwards also works in the niche field. He has researched the long history of paper fashion in Japan, where it spread from China around the 9th century. "It was first worn [in Japan] by Buddhist monks who were kind of recycling or re-wearing the paper materials they were using to practise a calligraphy for Buddhist sutras," he explained. Fast forward 800 years to the Edo period and paper was ubiquitous, forming products from farming wear to furniture. "It's very, very strong, very durable, and was often coated with oils and starches that would increase that strength and durability or add … water resistant or waterproof properties." Mulberry cloth traditions developed across the Asia-Pacific region, including in the Pacific Islands (tapa). In the West, paper clothing rose in popularity in times of scarcity — such as post-war Germany ersatz (replacement) cloth. In the 1960s, disposable paper garments were briefly taken up by celebrities like Andy Warhol. But Mr Nakashima-Edwards says paper fashion fell out of favour in Japan with the rise of industrialisation, and it is now practised by few designers worldwide. As a labour-intensive and therefore expensive product, neither Ms Clark nor Mr Nakashima-Edwards see it as a silver bullet to the problems of the fashion industry. However, Mr Nakashima-Edwards says it provides a more sustainable alternative, both for its materials and for encouraging slow fashion. "It also helps to … make you reassess: should I be buying all these clothes and just throwing them away? "Or should I be repairing them and mending them and treating them with the care and the respect that they deserve?" Studio assistant Rose Kudlicki agrees. She modelled for Ms Clark ahead of Eco Fashion Week, and was terrified she would rip the garments when she needed to go to the bathroom. Instead, she found the material much stronger and more flexible than she expected. "It was so comfortable and it just is unexpectedly … very wearable." She was so taken with the practice, she now works with Ms Clark as an intern. "I really like that Anzara works with tradition and resourcefulness and it's something that you don't see so much of at the moment."
