Put an end to packaging confusion

Confused about alternatives to ‘traditional’ plastic packaging, like biodegradable, degradable and compostable options? Don’t worry, help is at hand.

Plastic packaging does a simple job however, the issues around it are anything but. The recent awareness around, and push to eliminate, single-use and excessive plastic packaging is certainly welcome. However, as alternatives (biodegradable, degradable, compostable) increase, so does the confusion.

A lack of knowledge around how to dispose of the alternatives could lead to other environmental issues, as could confusion over what happens to alternative packaging once it has been disposed of. This has led the Environment Commissioner to produce an online resource to help consumers understand the difference between regular plastic packaging and the alternatives.

The Public Place Recycling Scheme has come out in support of the comprehensive resource. The Packaging Forum, of which the Public Place Recycling Scheme is a part, has established an independent technical working group to assess existing international standards and to recommend a New Zealand standard.