Husband and wife couple Jordy and Julia Kay began manufacturing what is Australia’s first and only certified home compostable cling wrap overseas, but have since onshored production to a Melbourne factory the couple are proud to say is fully solar powered.
Their Great Wrap product, which is essentially indistinguishable from the carbon-intensive original, is manufactured from waste food such as potato peelings combined with some certified compostable ingredients.
Unlike some biodegradable products that break down into microplastics, Great Wrap breaks down into carbon and water when placed in a compost pile in less than 180 days.
The couple is actively working towards a 100 per cent food waste product by the end of 2021.
The Kays said in a statement: “Cling wrap is a convenient everyday essential whose market has remained uninterrupted since the 1940’s.
“In Australia alone we go through 150,000 tonnes of stretch wrap each year.
“By the end of 2021, we plan to turn one third of this figure into plant-based wrap, launch commercial kitchen and pallet wraps, and expand internationally.
The couple aim to convert 300,000 tonnes of food waste into resin for Great Wrap by 2023.
Jordy Kay said: “We have a formula that is marine biodegradable, meaning it will break down once it’s in the ocean.
“We’re turning waste into opportunities and we really care about what we’re doing.”
Great Wrap received a $20,000 grant from Amazon, and investment support in 2020 which helped them reach their goal to manufacture solely in Australia.
Simon Griffiths, CEO & Founder of Who Gives A Crap toilet paper, is a proud personal investor in Great Wrap.
Griffiths said: “Plastic waste is a huge problem behind the curtain of almost every product driven business.
“It’s been something we’ve worked hard to eradicate in our supply chain and is something that I think everyone needs to be more conscious of.
“This product allows Australians to work towards a more sustainable lifestyle by making a simple compostable switch. I can’t wait to work with Great Wrap this year so we can close the plastic waste loop completely.”
Picture: Great Wrap
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