If all of the world’s single-use plastic was replaced with compostable bioplastic made from food waste, forestry waste, wastewater, seaweed, algae or other bio-waste materials, then we could make an immediate and profound impact on peeling back the effects of climate change and plastic pollution. That’s a *mic drop* moment if we’ve ever heard one, but this time from ‘wrappers’ of another kind.
Materials science company, The Great Wrap, is a newly Certified B Corporation and team of bio-designers, engineers and scientists pioneering a new paradigm of packaging technology.
Operating from the premise that composting slows the impacts of climate change, we find out what makes these agi-taters so passionate about their work and how we can all be part of the plastic-free revolution.
Image: Great Wrap
While it’s going to be hard to resist a plethora of puns, given you primarily create stretch wrap from potato waste, can you tell us a bit more about what your B Corp does?
Great Wrap is reimagining today’s materials to solve tomorrow’s problems. With our team of scientists and engineers, we’re trying to change the future of plastic, reduce our dependence on finite resources and rehabilitate our planet through regeneration.
By developing new technology and materials, we want to create a world where petroleum-based plastic does not exist.
Currently, we manufacture and sell stretch wrap for homes and businesses. Our stretch wrap is 100 per cent compostable and it is made from food waste, and we are also manufacturing the first compostable pallet wrap in the world. By offering a compostable alternative, we’re saving thousands of tonnes of plastic wrap (and food waste) from entering landfill each year.
We love the way you see true innovation as happening on a molecular level. Why did you want to certify as a B Corp?
We wanted to certify as a B Corp as a way of committing and understanding the impact our business has on our stakeholders and the environment. We are passionate about using business as a source of good and want to hold ourselves to the high standards established by B Corp.
Being part of the global B Corp community provides an opportunity to continuously improve our social and environmental performance. Not only does it allow us to reflect on our practices and set goals, but also connects us to a community of like-minded businesses, constantly pushing us to do better.
Image: Great Wrap
What makes your B Corp unique as a business? Tell us some of the areas where you have the biggest impact, or some of the little changes you’ve made to make a difference.
To start with, our stretch wrap is the first in the world to use potato waste as the main raw ingredient, we’re also the first in the world to manufacture a compostable catering and pallet wrap — two essential products that are used globally with no prior conscious solution.
Our stretch wrap provides a solution to a longstanding plastic problem and an option that can be composted with your food scraps thus diverting plastic waste and food materials from landfill.
Great Wrap’s range of stretch wrap utilises renewable plant-based carbon in its production as well as assisting in the diversion of food waste from landfill, into compost. They are certified home compostable, meaning they will break down in under 180 days leaving no microplastics behind.
The composting process aids the nutrient cycle by returning carbon and nutrients to the soil where it is applied. Current agricultural practices strip topsoil and carbon from the ground, and greenhouse effects are increasing carbon in ocean algae and the atmosphere.
Increased composting with better food waste diversion and using products such as Great Wrap, helps to increase carbon diversion back to the soils and will aid the next generation of plant crops for food and bioplastic production.
Image: Great Wrap
B Corps want to help transform our economy to one that is inclusive, sustainable, and regenerative. What do you want to see become the norm in the business world?
We want to see purpose-driven business become the norm. We hope that more and more businesses move towards the circular economy with a system that is good for business, people, and the planet.
Practices such as designing products for durability and recyclability, consuming fewer resources, and repurposing waste materials, are all things that will help both our environment and economy.
This is the part where you get to shout out a B Corp who really inspired you to certify, or one that you really ‘root’ for?
We love Who Gives A Crap. They are constantly pushing the boundaries and making a product that is traditionally unglamorous, something worth getting excited about.
They certainly do! Do you have any tips for aspiring B Corps about the certification process?
B Corp is a rigorous process, but one that is worth it. The B Lab team is there to help you, so ask questions and use them as a resource.
Image: Great Wrap
And lastly, do you have any advice to share for businesses looking to say goodbye to plastic forever?
Basically — if you don’t already compost, it’s time to start. Composting sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, in turn, helping to offset your own carbon footprint. No matter what you do, there’s a composting solution available for you.
Familiarise yourself with Compost Connect, which allows you to easily find your nearest compost collection service. They then divert your organic waste from landfills (or your workplace) to a composting facility. Here your organic waste will be turned into rich nutrient soil for use again in agriculture to grow nutrient rich food sources.
The rapidly changing world of packaging is intimidating for both businesses and consumers. No one wants to do the wrong thing and cause more harm than good. But continual improvement is an incredibly powerful way of thinking and way of acting.
Image: Great Wrap
Congratulations to Great Wrap for certifying as a B Corp. If you’d like to bury yourself in what they’re doing, or get in touch, head on over to: greatwrap.com.au
READ NEXT: How composting can be your business’ biggest ally in combating the climate crisis ↗
