Gisborne breadmaker going green with recyclable cardboard tags

GOOD BREAD: Recyclable cardboard bread tags will replace plastic bread tags on some loaves in Gisborne, East Cape, Wairoa and Wairarapa regions. Picture supplied

A Gisborne breadmaker is going green by introducing recyclable cardboard bread tags that will replace plastic ones on Quality Bakers and Walter Findlay's bread.

The bread company has been exploring more sustainable options for bread packaging.

“Our new tags might not fix your jandals the way the plastic ones were able to — however, we do believe they are better for our environment and the future of our planet”, said Alyx Findlay, communication manager at Walter Findlay.

Bread brands like Nature's Fresh, Molenberg, Freya's and all Quality Bakers' loaves available from the blue trays in dairies will have the new cardboard tags.

“Improving the environmental sustainability of our packaging is aligned with our company's commitment to our sustainability value. This step will help to reduce the number of plastic tags going to landfill by approximately 65,000 a week across our regions,” Mr Findlay said.

David Findlay, managing director at Walter Findlay, said, “We have had considerable feedback from our customers over the years requesting better packaging for our environment.

“It has been an intricate process to find an option that would work effectively.

“Currently the most effective, credible, and sustainable option for our bread packaging is to embrace recyclable options.”

Customers may still see the odd plastic tag on Quality Bakers' buns, rolls and some loaves as the stock is used up.

Walter Findlay Ltd are working with Goodman Fielder to fully phase out plastic tags over the coming months.

Goodman Fielder said the ultimate roll-out will remove over 100 million plastic tags from circulation in New Zealand annually.