By SIMON HENDERY
What is the best way to clean up the mess when a blizzard of protective foam pellets flies out as you open a packing crate?
Just add water, says a company touting an environmentally friendly solution to the problem of waste foam packaging.
Blue Marble Polymers, a subsidiary of Gough Technology, has secured the local rights to make starch-based packing pellets which dissolve in water.
The company plans to start manufacturing the biodegradable pellets early next year, and believes they will be a hit with eco-conscious packing and shipping firms.
Unlike traditional, non-degradable, petroleum-based polystyrene packaging, the starch-based chips break down completely when immersed in water or dumped in a landfill.
Blue Marble's technology developments manager, Anya Hornsey, said businesses were keen on the chips because they cost about the same as polystyrene and their environmental qualities were good from a marketing point of view.
"Companies are looking to move away from polystyrene because of the legal difficulties of shipping polystyrene into Europe.
"And while there's also a drive from companies wanting to be greener, they are also looking to be independent of regulations, taxes and levies."
Ten per cent of foam packaging in the United States is biodegradable.
The executive director of the Packaging Council, John Webber, said that from an environmental perspective it was encouraging to see the packaging being introduced in New Zealand.
Washing away packing problems
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