Go back to "Publications"

Compostable products in Aotearoa New Zealand

In 2023 we commissioned the University of Auckland to undertake research into additives in compostable products and their impact on soils. This research follows on from the Ministry’s position statement on compostable products published in 2022.

The project aims to understand the additives present in compostable products and their impacts on soil health and build a framework for assessing the use of compostable products in New Zealand.

This literature review is the first of three publications from this project. It summarises the potential impacts of compostable products on soil health, including examining soil health impacts through a te ao Māori lens. The report makes recommendations for scientific research, which was undertaken in the project’s’ second report.

The project’s two other reports are:

Additives in compostable products in Aotearoa New Zealand

A guide for selecting compostable products in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In 2023 we commissioned the University of Auckland to undertake research into additives in compostable products and their impact on soils. This research follows on from the Ministry’s position statement on compostable products published in 2022.

The project aims to understand the additives present in compostable products and their impacts on soil health and build a framework for assessing the use of compostable products in New Zealand.

This literature review is the first of three publications from this project. It summarises the potential impacts of compostable products on soil health, including examining soil health impacts through a te ao Māori lens. The report makes recommendations for scientific research, which was undertaken in the project’s’ second report.

The project’s two other reports are:

Additives in compostable products in Aotearoa New Zealand

A guide for selecting compostable products in Aotearoa New Zealand.

See more on...