A packaging sea-change

An Adelaide-based yoghurt manufacturer is creating packaging using recycled plastic that was washed up on beaches. MOO Premium Foods will package its yoghurt in containers made from Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP), which is the term for plastics found in the ocean or within 50 km of a coastline that is not managed and is at risk of making its way to the water.

The company says that about 100 tonnes of plastic will be removed from beaches, oceans and waterways this year thanks to its containers. The plastic is sourced through Malaysian recycling company HHI, which works with locals to collect the oceanic plastic that is then recycled into resin and decontaminated to meet food-grade compliance. This resin is imported by MOO whose containers are made by TechnoPlas.

“This was an absolute game-changer. We finally had the opportunity to help clean up plastic pollution and make a real difference,” said co-founder Mick Sanders. He had wanted to use a sustainable method of packaging for the company since being grilled about being environmentally friendly by primary school students at a question-and-answer event.

“At the very least, we knew we’d be able to make a yoghurt tub from a mix of new and reclaimed plastic, but we really wanted to push the boundaries. To finally see the resin and realise it could successfully be made into 100% reclaimed Ocean Bound Plastic tubs was fantastic.”

HHI CEO Kian Seah said it was exciting to work with partners like MOO to realise new uses for reclaimed OBP and create products that can become part of a circular plastic economy.

“We have the ability to work towards a cleaner future, one that sees plastic as a valuable and reusable resource,” Kian Seah said. “Ultimately, we hope that one day we won’t have any ocean plastic to find — that will be a true success.”

MOO has partnered with Woolworths, which will be offering its products around the country. The tubs, lid and foil are recyclable and the containers are designed to be functionally identical to regular plastic ones.