Foodstuffs has transitioned New World and PAK’nSAVE stores away from non‑recyclable PVC plastic wrap, replacing it with recyclable low‑density polyethylene (LDPE) across butchery, bakery, produce and deli departments. 

As of January, the majority of Foodstuffs North and South Island New World and PAK’nSAVE stores have adopted the recyclable LDPE wrap. Both co-ops plan to have fully transitioned all departments from PVC to the new wrap by the end of June.  

This is expected to remove around 850 tonnes of PVC plastic from landfill each year, equivalent to approximately 1400 skip bins. This initiative supports Foodstuffs’ 2025-2030 sustainability commitments and lifts Foodstuffs’ overall packaging recyclability to 94%. 

What is LDPE?   

LDPE wrap is a single‑polymer plastic that can be recycled through NZ’s existing soft plastics recycling infrastructure.

It can be melted down and remoulded into new products such as bin liners, recycled packaging, and durable construction and agricultural items, including plastic timber fence posts.

The roll out

The change follows more than three years of evaluation. Working closely with packaging supplier Wedderburn, Foodstuffs implemented blind trials in store, with teams testing the old PVC wrap alongside the new, recyclable LDPE wrap. Three objectives were set: 

1. The new wrap had to perform as well as or better than PVC, in-store, and for customers at home.  
2. It had to be recyclable through the New Zealand Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme. 
3. It had to be cost effective – adding cost to fresh produce was not an option.  

“We knew the new wrap had to work across our machinery, our fresh departments, and in customers’ homes. It had to do everything the PVC was doing previously,” says Foodstuffs NZ Sustainable Packaging Manager Debra Goulding.

The LDPE wrap scored higher overall, and while it handles slightly differently, stores are said to have adapted quickly. Working closely with over-wrap supplier, Wedderburn, Foodstuffs stores have recalibrated in-store machinery across the North and South Island. 

The new wrap is said to work well with chilled and ambient products such as meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables and baked goods. Hot foods are being transitioned to packaging options better suited to their temperature, such as paper bags, tubs and LDPE carry bags.

Foodstuffs acted ahead of possible regulations and Plastic Packaging Product Stewardship requirements.

“For us, this entire process comes back to our promise to customers,” says Ms Goulding.  

“PVC was difficult to recycle, and we’ve been working towards a goal of making all our packaging at least recyclable. It took nearly three years to find a wrap that worked. There were a few issues to iron out, but we’ve arrived at a great, innovative solution.”