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A new product developed with help from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will offer an alternative to the estimated 350 million plastic trays and pots used by New Zealand nurseries and gardeners each year.
The pots can last 12 months above ground before biodegrading, with the biodegrading process starting as soon as soil is added.
They can be planted directly into the ground, with the pot providing fertiliser for the plant as the pot biodegrades.
MPI’s director of investment programmes Steve Penno says taking commonly used plastic pots out of landfills will also help the environment.
MPI contributed more than $41,000 to the project through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.
This has enabled Pinehurst Associates to refine its research and development, and work through manufacturing issues.
The new product, PolBionix, is made from bio-polymers and a bio-filler. The bio-polymers are made from sustainably grown sugarcane, cassava and corn.
Pinehurst Associates director Peter Wilson says the bio-filler is from waste organic matter that contains naturally occurring chemicals and nutrients that are attractive to microbes to eat.
The product is currently being tested in three commercial nurseries.
“Raw material costs for PolBionix are higher than for traditional fossil-based plastic pots, so the pots will be more expensive. However, once you factor in not having to add fertiliser, and costs saved from not having to then dispose of the traditional pots – such as reduced labour, landfill and environmental costs – the pots are a clear winner.”
Auckland Council trialled the planting of PolBionix pots in Waitawa Regional Park in August.
PolBionix will be commercialised through Wilson and Ross within the next year.
