Firm's plan cuts waste, saves money

Trevelyan's is seeing savings from its sustainability approach that includes composting wastes on site. Photo / Supplied

Kiwifruit and avocado post-harvest operator Trevelyan's Pack & Cool is working towards a more sustainable future with the ultimate aim of producing zero waste and becoming carbon and water neutral, says executive director, Alister Hawkey.

A new compost trial carried out at Trevelyan's 20ha Te Puke site saw almost 50 tandem trailers of garden waste and 500 bins of production waste turned into an estimated 30 tonnes of compost during this year's kiwifruit packing season.

The continued development of its recycling hub has meant over 350 bales of waste has been diverted from landfill this year.

"Our sustainability framework helps guide every business decision made at Trevelyan's," Mr Hawkey said. "Our vision is to be a successful business that takes care of the world and its people, because we care about our growers, our staff and our community."

The initiatives are directly reducing landfill, transport and energy costs.

Trevelyan's sustainability coordinator, Rachel Brodie, said the compost trial involved grounds staff developing a closed-loop solution for packhouse and garden waste over the past 12 months.

"Previously we trucked this waste to landfill or burnt it," she said. "But turning it into compost on site and spreading it over our gardens, lawns and orchards reduces our contribution to leachate and methane from landfills, as well as carbon emissions.

"This is important because to be a truly sustainable business we need greater control over external factors such as increases in waste disposal levies and transport costs."

The compost trial, which was developed in consultation with BioGro and Kiwifruit Vine Health, is ongoing, with avocado waste and kiwifruit flower waste from the No1 Pollen milling operation also being processed.

Collaborations with service providers for turning and spreading the compost have also been part of the process.

Meanwhile, Trevelyan's recycling hub has resulted in significant savings: waste to landfill expenses have fallen 90 per cent since cardboard and general purpose compacting machines were installed on site in 2010 and 2012. Over 200 bales of cardboard have been recycled so far this year, along with 43 bales of shrinkwrap and trayliner plastics, six bales of plix trays, 11 bales of strapping, 17 kiwifruit bins of bubble wrap and 88 bales of fruit label paper tailings.

Mr Hawkey said the company's sustainability experience was now being sought-out by researchers and academics. The company has recently contributed to studies at Auckland University and Aalto University in Finland, as well as a Zespri project on changes to industry carbon emissions.

"We have put a great deal of thought and energy into developing our sustainability framework since 2011 and it's now paying dividends," he said.