Small action, big impact on composting

Making sure compostable stuff actually ends up as compost – that’s the goal of problem solver and futurist Rachael Neale. It all begins with her Compostaway initiative.

A few years ago Rachael Neale had no idea that she would create New Zealand’s first nationwide, on-demand collection service for compostable cups, lids and packaging.

Today the mother and grandmother is the founder of Compostaway – a business with the sole focus of doing just that. Making it easy for others to take a small action that has a big impact.

“It begins with each of us getting excited by our ability to change little things, and it doesn’t have to mean turning your whole life upside down to do it,” Rachael says. “We’re changing the future together.”

Inspired by her love of innovation and solution-based problem solving, Rachael was convinced that everyone can help to reduce the amount of compostable waste still going to landfill. But it must be easy and automated.

Statistically, New Zealanders use almost 300 million disposable cups each year. Most of them are compostable but nearly all of them end up in landfill.

There is a lot of confusing information out there for everyday people and businesses, Rachael explains. Her Compostaway business model challenges the thought that simply buying products in biodegradable or compostable packaging is enough.

Compostable packaging is a great alternative, she says, but only if it ends up in the right place. If it goes to landfill compostable waste generates methane gas.

“Companies and cafés want to implement responsible product stewardship, but we realised pretty quickly that it had to be easy and affordable if it was going to be effective,” says Rachael. 

“So we focused our energy and effort into making it easier for people by providing that missing link – ensuring that compostable packaging actually ends up as compost.”

Aligning values with action: the 3 keys to compost success

Whether you’re an individual, a café or an organisation, aligning your sustainability values with action is more important than ever.

After 18 months of researching, developing and soft launching Compostaway, Rachael has discovered the three keys to compost success for companies and cafés. She says they are easily summarised in the acronym: E.A.T:

Education – Letting customers and staff know that you’ve got Compostaway and encouraging them to use it. The design and descriptions on the box help people to quickly know where it goes.

Automation – For something like this to work, it has to have an easy system, and not occupy too much physical or mental space. Compostaway is delivered as flatpack boxes or as a ‘Packaging Return’ set with unique QR Codes linked to courier labels. “Once a box is full it’s a matter of simply closing the lid, scanning the QR code and the courier will automatically be booked to pick it up,” says Rachael. “We call this our ‘revolving delivery system’.

Timing – Now that people are coming back into the office and visiting cafés in greater numbers, and with the Government’s new budget focus on increased sustainability, there’s never been a better time to embrace Compostaway as an easy option for making a genuine positive impact.

Companies are getting on board with Compostaway because of their desire to:

• Lead the way in sustainable solutions.
• Reduce waste.
• Create a business with sustainability at the heart of its culture.
• Educate staff and customers, whilst doing your bit as a responsible business.

“Whether you’re an individual, a café, or an organisation, aligning your sustainability values with action, is more important than ever,” says Rachael.

To learn more about the Compostaway solution, visit: https://compostaway.co.nz/ Or call Rachael Neale on 021 022 54586.

Pictured below: Rachael Neale, the founder of Compostaway.