A new ware develop with supporter 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 nurseryman each year .
“ We ’ve supported Pinehurst Associates Ltd to develop a proof of conception for biodegradable garden pots , ” says Steve Penno , MPI ’s director of investiture programs .
“ The pots can last 12 month above earth before biodegrade , with the biodegrading process jump as soon as the grime is added . They can be planted directly into the ground , with the potentiometer put up fertiliser for the works as the locoweed biodegrade .
Photo by Wilson and Ross
“ Taking ordinarily used plastic pots out of landfills will also aid the environment . ”
MPI contribute more than $ 41,000 to the labor through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures investment company . This has enabled Pinehurst Associates to refine its research and exploitation and work through manufacturing issuance .
Bio - polymersPeter Wilson , theater director of Pinehurst Associates , says the new product , PolBionix , is made from bio - polymers and a bio - filler . The bio - polymers are made from sustainably grown sugar cane , cassava , and Zea mays . The bio - filler is from waste material organic matter that contains naturally occur chemical and nutrient that are attractive to germ to eat .
“ As a result , PolBionix biodegrades in meek environment , like in soil and under home composting condition , ” Mr. Wilson says . The product is currently being test in 3 commercial baby’s room . “ The reward of our product over other biodegradable can in the marketplace is its tenacious shelf living , ” Mr. Wilson says .
“ Our product can withstand the regular lachrymation and do by that takes lieu in commercial glasshouse . ”
Mr. Wilson articulate the stool can be manufactured using subsist pliant injectant mold manufacturing cognitive operation . The product can also be manufactured with thermoforming and film - blown operation .
Price difference“Raw material costs for PolBionix are higher than for traditional dodo - based charge card pots , so the PolBionix pots will be more expensive . However , once you factor in not have to add fertiliser and costs saved from not stimulate to then dispose of the traditional can – such as reduced labor , landfill , and environmental price – I think our PolBionix pot are a exonerated achiever . ”
Auckland Council trialed the planting of PolBionixpots in Waitawa Regional Park on 3 August . Further PolBionix dope were planted at a local Auckland school this calendar month . The shoal ’s pot planting is being supported by Auckland Transport ’s Eastern Busway undertaking team , who have a keen centering on environmental sustainability and using less plastic .
Mr. Wilson enunciate that PolBionixis the result of 4 twelvemonth of research in coaction with Crown research institute Scion and funding support from Callaghan Innovation and Auckland Council ’s Waste Minimisation Fund .
“ The scientific find that Scion ’s scientists achieved has result in the filing of 2 international patents . The potentiality for the exploitation of extra product that help palliate the wrong fossil - establish plastic does to the environment is exciting , ” Mr. Wilson says .
Steve Penno says the task aligns with the sustainability goal of the Government and the food and fiber sphere ’s Fit for a Better World roadmap . “ This sustainable answer has the potential drop to make a difference globally – not just in New Zealand . While the pots may be a bit more financially , they wo n’t be the ground . ”
Pinehurst Associates has received $ 85,500 from the Ministry for the Environment ’s Plastics Innovation Fund , announce by Minister David Parker on Friday , 23 September . This will assist the company in continuing to search additional conceptualisation and dissipated - track the commercialization of the PolBionix pots .
PolBionix will be commercialized through Wilson and Ross Limited within the next year .
For more information : Wilson & Rosswww.wilsonandross.com
