Summary
Compostify is an Auckland-based eco-innovation company that produces home-compostable bioplastic products designed to replace traditional single-use plastics. Developed in collaboration with the Crown Research Institute Scion, the company’s proprietary biopolymer is made from sustainable crops like sugarcane and corn, along with local organic bio-fillers. Their primary products include horticultural solutions like plant pots and clips that can be buried directly in the soil, where they break down into nutrient-rich fertilizer within 12 to 24 months without leaving behind toxic residue or microplastics. (Source) Beyond gardening, Compostify has expanded into the construction sector by providing biodegradable safety caps for rebar and waratahs to prevent plastic litter on building sites. A key advantage for industry partners is that the material is designed as a “drop-in” resin, meaning it can be used with existing plastic molding and extrusion machinery without requiring expensive retooling. (Source)
Story
Compostify was co-founded by Peter Wilson, Steve Wilson, and Mutahar Glasgow. The spark came from Peter Wilson’s project in habitat restoration for the endangered New Zealand fairy tern, where he was struck by the irony of using harmful, single-use plastic pots for projects intended to save the environment. This “damaging shadow” behind conservation work led him to partner with the Crown Research Institute Scion in 2019 to spend years perfecting a bioplastic that could safely return to the earth. The company was founded in 2021.
Pic credit: Compostify (right and top)
“Our bioplastic is the foundation for a future where single-use plastics are a thing of the past… [w]e’re here to empower our partners, in New Zealand and beyond, to contribute to a world that doesn’t just reduce waste but reimagines it..”
Peter Wilson in an interview
