Blueberry Waste Transformed into Eco-Friendly Trays

Added 2 weeks ago

Blueberry waste is being turned into sustainable, compostable packaging through a collaboration between Scion and Rotorua’s Mamaku Blue winery.

The project is developing moulded fibre trays infused with blueberry pomace—repurposing agricultural byproducts into a viable alternative to plastic. This supports New Zealand’s shift toward a circular bioeconomy by reducing waste and creating value from organic materials.

Researchers are exploring how these byproducts can improve the strength and moisture resistance of fibre trays, two key limitations of current plastic alternatives.

The work also includes testing other agricultural waste streams, such as avocado stones and cabbage wrapper leaves. These materials are refined and blended with wood fibre before being shaped into trays using specialised equipment.

Initial findings show that blueberry pulp alters the appearance of the trays, while cabbage fibres enhance water resistance. Future research will look at combining different byproducts to maximise performance.

The initiative aims to reduce reliance on single-use plastic, support sustainable horticulture, and create new uses for organic waste that would otherwise go unused.