Rebecca Percasky of Better Packaging Co. with Aramex New Zealand (formerly Fastway Couriers) chief executive Scott Jenyns.

Aramex, formerly Fastway Couriers, has introduced an environmental game changer – compostable packaging solutions – in partnership with The Better Packaging Co.

Aramex chief executive Scott Jenyns said the company set a global target in 2016 of reducing its carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2020. It reached the target by 2017 and set a further 20 percent reduction target.

“The spotlight has been on plastic for some time and we‘ve been searching for a green packaging solution that makes our courier drivers, our customers and their customers feel good about how they pack, deliver and receive their goods.

“Since supermarkets moved to plastic-free bags, we‘ve said that if they can do it, so can we, and it‘s been great to partner with an innovative New Zealand business to come up with compostable packaging solutions.”

Jenyns said due to the explosion of e-commerce retail there has been a huge increase in package delivery to residential properties, up more than 50 percent in the past two years. Globally 65 billion parcels are delivered every year.

“We have gone from a courier company that predominantly sent parcels from business to business, to delivering over 60 percent of parcels to online shoppers at their homes.”

Aramex will continue to offer its more traditional satchels, which have also been given an environmental overhaul. Manufactured using 80 percent recycled materials, they are 100 percent recyclable and can be dropped off at key recycling points throughout New Zealand. 

 The Better Packaging Co. founders, Rebecca Percasky and Kate Bezar, said with eCommerce on the rise, they felt motivated to provide sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic satchels.

“Our comPOST Packs are made from corn and non-toxic compostable resin and will biodegrade in just 90 days in a home compost or bokashi system. We estimate from March 2018 that we have saved over four million plastic bags and together with companies like Aramex, that number is about to take off.”