For every kilogram of blueberries sold in Australian supermarkets, around eight plastic punnets are used. With the average Australian consuming 700 grams of blueberries each year, plastic waste quickly accumulates.
A Sustainable Shift
To address this, blueberry farmers in southern WA have switched to compostable cardboard punnets, reducing single-use plastic.
Learning from Global Practices
After six years in the UK, Jonathon and Sophie Macri saw how readily available plastic-free packaging was overseas. Disappointed by the lack of options in Australia, they collaborated with a Queensland packaging company to create a compostable punnet.
Jonathon Macri said they wanted to reduce their own plastic use and introduce a sustainable alternative locally. Sophie Macri noted the price difference was minimal, and they chose to absorb the cost rather than passing it on to consumers.
Consumer Demand for Change
Berries Australia reports 43% of households buy blueberries, purchasing 183 grams per shop. However, a 2024 Boomerang Alliance report found that Australian consumers still lack sufficient plastic-free choices.
The Macris’ cardboard punnets have received positive feedback, with Sophie Macri saying customers appreciate having a plastic-free option. She hopes more growers and retailers will follow suit.
Scaling Up Sustainability
NSW produces over 17,000 tonnes of blueberries annually. Large producers like Mountain Blue face challenges adapting automated packing lines to sustainable packaging. A recent trial of a recyclable punnet was well received, with plans for further testing.
Supermarkets acknowledge the need for change, with Woolworths and Coles making commitments to improve packaging sustainability, though specific benchmarks remain unclear. Initiatives like the Macris’ compostable punnets could drive industry-wide progress.
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