New World and PAK’nSAVE supermarkets are starting a five-month trial of a new soft plastics compacting system that customers can use in-store, aimed at making recycling easier and reducing the workload on store teams. 

The trial is being run in partnership with The Packaging Forum’s Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and Manco Environmental. 

The machine has been designed and built in New Zealand by Manco Environmental and is the first front-of-house soft plastics compactor of its kind globally. 

The machines will be trialled at five stores across the country: New World Whangamatā, New World Whitianga, PAK’nSAVE Thames, New World Birkenhead, and New World Matamata.

Foodstuffs Sustainable Packaging Lead Debra Goulding says customers are committed to recycling soft plastics through New World and PAK’nSAVE stores, but the current bin and bag system can be tough to manage in stores with high return volumes, especially where back-of-store space is limited or stores are in remote areas. 

“Customers love being able to recycle their soft plastics, and we want to keep offering that,” says Ms Goulding. 

“But it’s a very hands-on process behind the scenes. Teams can be emptying bins multiple times a day, sorting contamination, compacting plastic and organising collections. 

“The new machines are designed for commercial use and can be used directly by customers in-store, while reducing the amount of handling required by the store’s team members,” she said.

“They can hold up to five times more plastic than a standard soft plastic recycling bins and compact it into sealed liners ready for collection. That means fewer collections and less time spent managing it. 

“Because it’s customer-facing, it also makes the recycling process clearer and easier to use, which should help reduce contamination. 

“What makes this different is that it’s front-of-house and designed for customers to use, rather than something tucked away out the back. That’s what makes it a first of its kind,” says Ms Goulding.

Three Coromandel stores are part of the trial, reflecting the added pressure in that region. 

“They collect high volumes, but they’re also off the beaten track, so transport costs add up quickly,” she said.

“This trial will help us see whether this kind of setup can take some of that pressure off. 

“There’s also interest from offshore. Programmes in places like Australia and the UK are watching closely to see how this performs with customers in a retail store.” 

New World Whangamatā owner-operator Ricky Bowen says the trial is a practical step forward for stores. 

“Our customers are really engaged with soft plastics recycling, and we see a lot coming back through the doors.

“But managing it takes time, especially making sure it’s clean and ready to go. If we can make that simpler, it makes a real difference for the team and keeps the service going for customers.” 

The machines are fully enclosed and designed specifically for soft plastics, giving customers a clear, dedicated place to recycle and helping reduce contamination compared to standard collection bins. 

The five-month trial will assess whether customers use the machines correctly and whether they reduce the operational load on store teams. 

“We’re testing whether this is a better way to do it,” says Ms Goulding. 

“If it works for customers and makes life easier for our teams, we’ll look at where to next.”