Frequently Asked
Questions

If you have any additional questions, please email our team at
hello@greenchoice.com

How can Green Choice help create a coordinated brand identity in food service businesses?

Our coordinated design is evident in our product range, this provides an opportunity to create a coordinated identity for food service presentation. Combine our branded products with matching apparel (we will supply our logos for you to overprint your t-shirts) and get a great fresh brand image for your operations.

How do we know Green Choice products are made using sustainable business practices?

UniPak requires all manufacturers to undertake a rigorous examination of their business practices. Our Green Choice manufacturers have each supplied detailed information based on the UniPak online Supplier Assessment Form and they each meet our required standards. These standards align with current sustainable business practices, such as efficient energy and water use, waste and emissions management, raw material types, production quality controls, packaging types, human resource management, and sustainable practice ethics.

What is the meaning of the Green Choice logo?

The G and C are combined to form a common shape, we chose green and blue to reflect the earth and our environment. We believe Kiwis want to choose green products whenever they can, hence the words "Green Choice". The brand name and the logo design are both trademarked, they cannot be reproduced without our permission.

Why are disposable products so popular in so many businesses?

Disposable products refer to things that are designed for one-off use and can be discarded after use. Disposable food and drinks containers, cutlery and serviettes are the same things you would need at a seated restaurant, except the consumption is done remotely and there is no return of these items for washing and storing. With the busy lifestyles experienced by most, it is unlikely the demand for disposables will ever decline. Hygiene and cleanliness are less of a worry as there are fewer concerns about collecting, washing or cleaning reusable items.

Where are commercial Composting Sites located in New Zealand?

New Zealand currently has the following Commercial Composting Sites,
and local waste/recycling/composting collectors are responsible for arranging
collection and drop-off services to the sites.

Auckland/Waikato Region:

  • Home Grown Waiheke Trust, Auckland
  • Envirowaste Hampton Downs, Mercer, Waikato
  • Envirofert, Tuakau, Waikato

Central North Island (coast to coast):

  • Revital/Remediation (NZ), Cambridge, Waipa
  • Revital/Remediation (NZ), Mt Maunganui, Tauranga City
  • Revital/Remediation (NZ), Uruti, New Plymouth BioRich, Hastings

Lower North Island:

  • KaiCycle/WorkerBe Oasis, Wellington City
  • Capital Compost/Southern Landfill, Wellington City (facility does not process PLA or PLA lined materials)

Upper South Island:

  • Motueka Community Gardens, Tasman
  • Innovative Waste Kaikoura, Kaikoura

Reference: The Packaging Forum Composting Facilities Report 2017

Are Green Choice Products food safe?

Yes, our products can be trusted, they have earned the required levels of food safety certification. All products have passed SGS EU 10/2011 and EN 1186-1/9/14:2002 food safety testing methodology (tolerance to high temperatures and fatty substances, and absence of heavy metals). PLA is fairly unsuitable for very high-temperature applications. It has been approved for use in the manufacture of disposable products as the temperatures of any hot drinks or food have to be safe for humans to avoid scalding. We would not recommend placing hot liquids in clear PLA cups, as these are designed for cold drinks, and we would not recommend using any PLA-lined Green Choice products in a microwave as the high temperatures may separate the PLA lining. All our products are free of petroleum-based plastics and all inks are food dyes.

Are recyclable disposable containers recycled or are they disposed of in landfills?

Some are recycled, but most are sent to landfills. This is because used containers are nearly always contaminated with oil and grease from leftover food and drinks. With our busy lifestyles and our consumption of convenience food and drink, we must all take responsibility for disposing of used packaging correctly. We encourage people to check their local council recycling guidelines, as not all recyclable plastics are recycled in local centres (contamination and costs can be barriers). Everyone must take ownership of waste disposal and we promote the correct recycling of used packaging where possible. We must divert as many recyclable plastics away from landfills as we can. You can view and download the recycling information guide from the Emperor website.

Can Green Choice products be placed in home composting systems?

Yes, but we do not recommend this. Products that contain PLA are not designed to compost in home systems. While they will not create any toxicity problems, it is unlikely that a home system will generate enough heat and air movement to break the products down into compost. Thinner and softer products, like coffee cups and card containers, will break down faster than denser and stiffer products, like cutlery, clear cups and coffee cup lids. Any products that do not contain PLA (like our cardboard containers, wooden cutlery, paper cups and paper straws) can be home-composted, and we would recommend you break these into smaller pieces first to aid decomposition.

Do compostable products actually decompose, even in the landfill?

"How quickly they decompose and how much is decomposed depends on the composting environment. If our products are buried in an approved Landfill, which is the most likely scenario given that NZ only has 11 Commercial Composting Facilities currently operating, it is impossible to state how long it would take our products to decompose and eventually become converted into compost (if they would at all). There is no way of knowing in advance what sort of composting conditions may exist in a landfill. If our products are buried close to other organic matter, and microbes exist in the right conditions, then they could biodegrade faster as the microbes are attracted to natural materials. If our products are buried alongside fossil-fuel-based plastics it would take much longer as the microbes are not attracted to unnatural materials.

If the landfilled products do not convert into compost (which is essentially a fertiliser we want to use “above” the ground), they simply decompose into organic matter that will not harm our ecosystem (unlike fossil-fuel-based products).

Our products are plant-based (organic matter), so it may help to consider what happens to an apple when left to decompose. Left indoors with no control (changes to temperature, humidity, air movement and the likely existence of bacteria), the apple may only stay edible for up to a week. It will start to rot and will eventually decompose, especially if temperatures increase. Left outdoors with no control (exposure to the elements, bacteria and animals), the apple may not last a couple of days. It will decompose and likely be completely eaten till nothing is left. If the apple is binned and sent to a landfill, the apple will eventually decompose into food matter. It may not become suitable as compost because the right temperature, humidity, air movement and bacteria conditions may not exist.

Nevertheless, it remains a decomposed food matter and will not harm our ecosystem. This is what happens to Green Choice products in a landfill. If the apple was placed in a controlled composting bin (higher controlled temperature, higher controlled humidity, higher controlled air movement and high levels of bacteria), then the apple will decompose and convert into compost (the residue has transformed into a material that is suitable for adding to the soil and plant nourishment). This is what happens to Green Choice products in a commercial composting facility."

Do compostables create methane if sent to a landfill?

"This depends on the landfill conditions. Effective landfill management requires the waste to be stored as solids or else the landfill will collapse, so the correct sealing of landfills is key to this. Keeping moisture, air and microbes out of a landfill is a challenge. If air is present, and the temperatures and moisture levels are right, natural waste in a landfill is likely to be consumed by microbes, and this includes PLA.

As part of this natural consumption process, methane will be produced and this will increase if more air is added. This is normal, it is the decomposition process at work. The rate at which this happens depends on the conditions within the landfill and how well conditions are controlled. The number and activity levels of these microbes are affected by these conditions.

Scientific tests have concluded that extremely low levels of methane are generated during the digestion of PLA molecules. Methane gas is being captured by some landfills as an energy source. Methane released into the atmosphere adds to the natural generation of methane, as we need methane in our atmosphere to form clouds and produce water. However, an excess of methane is not good as this raises global temperatures. The majority of this excess in NZ comes from increased agricultural farming."

How long will it take for Green Choice products to breakdown and become compost?

This depends on the composting environment. Thinner and softer products, like coffee cups and card containers, will break down faster than denser and stiffer products, like cutlery, clear cups and coffee cup lids. Our products have passed EN 13432 standards and achieved OK to Compost verification. Under the required breakdown conditions, in an approved commercial composting facility, at least 90% of the card and soft PLA lined materials will disintegrate within 3 months and 90% of the denser materials will biodegrade within 6 months (after which 100% biodegradation occurs). The resulting compost will not be adversely affected by any additional materials (such as food dyes or paper etc.) and safe plant germination is assured.

Is degradation different to biodegradation?

"Yes. Everything degrades (or decomposes) over time, but some things take longer than others. This depends on the base material and the conditions in which the thing is decaying (temperature, humidity, air and time). A general rule of thumb is that if something is a natural product it breaks down naturally (mother nature at work), whereas a man-made product can take forever to decompose (think about concrete when you think about petroleum-based plastics). Natural degradation is a better option.

Biodegradation means that the molecules (that form the material) are created and bound in such a way that natural ""living"" micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi and algae) will consume and break down the molecules. This releases the bonding of the molecules and thereby speeds up the degradation. There are chemical and physical degradation processes taking place, both accelerated due to the involvement of living organisms (hence the term biodegradation)."

What are recyclable, biodegradable and compostable packaging products?

"Just about all takeaway products are recyclable, however only some products are biodegradable and compostable.

Recyclable means the packaging could be recycled if the material is clean and not contaminated with greases and oils, and the local council/waste management contractor has processes in place to recycle the material. We recycle very few plastics in NZ and it is now becoming more difficult to sell our recovered plastics overseas, with importers now placing huge reductions on the number of plastics allowed in their processing lines.

Biodegradable means that the material will break down (degrade) faster by undertaking specific biological processes. “Bio” means that living organisms will increase the degradation of a material. Biodegradable materials are not always compostable, as some biodegradable plastics are still petroleum-based plastics and take hundreds of years to degrade. Making petroleum-based plastics biodegradable does not make them a green option, it simply speeds up the decay and the plastic molecules just become smaller (and more dangerous) sooner than later. Petroleum-based plastics should be recycled and not designed to biodegrade.

Compostable means that the material is made of organic matter, it will naturally biodegrade, and, in the right conditions, it can be converted into compost. The length of time it takes for organic material to break down depends on the conditions in place (temperature, moisture, air, pressure) and the material. This is all very difficult to accurately ascertain as the conditions vary so much. All plant-based products are biodegradable and breakdown can take a few weeks to a few months.

Green Choice products are biodegradable and compostable. This is because they are plant-based (kraft cardboard, sugar cane, bamboo and plant starches) so they naturally break down and can become compost in the right conditions. This means that the remaining matter is suitable for use as compost (fertiliser) and safe to become part of the soil system."

Why are compostable materials also classed as biodegradable?

Compostable products are made of organic matter, so they contain natural molecules that will naturally biodegrade. This is because bacterial microbes are attracted to natural molecules as food sources. When they do consume these molecules, the residue is still natural matter and therefore less damaging to our environment. Compostable material is naturally biodegradable and the residue does not harm the ecosystem (plant matter returning to the soils as plant matter). PLA (Polylactic Acid) is made from corn starch or sugar cane (biomass products), and these natural molecules will biodegrade.

Will Green Choice products be turned into compost?

"This depends on the composting environment. All Green Choice products containing PLA comply with EN 13432 (09-2000) standards and AVI/OK 1 testing for ""OK COMPOST"" confirmation. So if the Local Council Authority manages the collection of organic waste and deposits it in an approved Commercial Composting Facility, then yes it will be converted into compost. At this stage, New Zealand currently has far more landfills than composting facilities. More pressure on Local Authorities and Central Government is needed to establish a policy to address this imbalance.

Our products are safe to be deposited in home-based composting systems but it is unlikely they will convert to compost as quickly as they would in a commercial system. How long it takes to convert into compost will be determined by the system's ability to create an effective environment (temperature, humidity, air movement and bacteria activity). To better understand the NZ requirements for composting facilities, please refer to the Compost NZ Consent Guide produced by the Waste Management Institute of New Zealand."

Are Green Choice chip cups safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our chip cups are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice chip cups safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our chip cups are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice chip cups in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our chip cups.

Can you recycle Green Choice chip cups?

No, our chip cups are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Are Green Choice Corrugated products safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our corrugated products are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice Corrugated products safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our corrugated products are microwave safe up to 85°C, we recommend reheating food in our containers and never placing a container in the microwave without food as there is a risk the cardboard will dry completely which can lead to a fire.

Can you put Green Choice Corrugated products in a home compost?

Yes, our corrugated products are made from kraft cardboard. Cardboard is rich in carbon and is useful for balancing your home compost. For best results rip it into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice Corrugated products?

Yes, our corrugated products are made from kraft cardboard which if free from food contamination and can be placed in cardboard recycling.

Are Green Choice dessert tubs safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our dessert tubs are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, products made with paper are not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice dessert tubs safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our dessert tubs are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice dessert tubs in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our dessert tubs.

Can you recycle Green Choice dessert tubs?

No, our dessert tubs are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Why are there so many cup types supplied under the drinkware range?

Unipak has been supplying disposable cups since 2004 and knows that cafes have different preferences for wall thicknesses, textures and sizes. Single wall cups are very common, however, they can transfer heat quicker so insulating sleeves are a good idea. Double wall cups help reduce the transfer of heat, and ripple styles do this and also add texture to help grip the cups. You can view the Green Choice drinkware range here.

Are Green Choice hot cups safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our hot cups are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, products made with paper are not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice hot cups safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our hot cups are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice hot cups in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our hot cups.

Can you recycle Green Choice hot cups?

No, our hot cups are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Are Green Choice kraft soup bowls and lids safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our kraft soup bowls and lids are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice kraft soup bowls and lids safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our kraft soup bowls and lids are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice soup bowls and lids in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our kraft soup bowls and lids.

Can you recycle Green Choice kraft soup bowls and lids?

No, our kraft soup bowls and lids are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Are Green Choice noodle boxes safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our noodle boxes are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn

Are Green Choice noodles boxes safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our noodle boxes are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice noodle boxes in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our noodle boxes.

Can you recycle Green Choice noodle boxes?

No, our noodle boxes are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Can you put Green Choice paper products in a home compost?

Yes, our paper products are made from 100% paper which is safe for your home compost. For best results rip into small pieces and water.

Can you recycle Green Choice paper products?

Yes, our paper products are made from 100% paper which is recyclable if free from food contamination.

Can you put Green Choice PLA clear cups in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down our PLA clear cups.

Can you recycle Green Choice PLA clear cups?

No, our PLA clear cups can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Do Green Choice products contain any polymer/modifiers, such as PBAT?

"All Green Choice products containing PLA comply with EN 13432 (09-2000) standards and AVI/OK 1 testing for ""OK COMPOST"" confirmation.
Our PLA clear cups, PLA straws, PLA paper cups and PLA food boxes are 100% PLA, no PBAT modifier is added.
There is a PBAT modifier added for PLA cutlery, Spoons, Fork, and Knife to add strength to these specific products.
A greater mass and density of PLA used to form a product leads to longer composting timeframes and more rigid composting conditions are required."

Do PLA products need to be stored carefully away from heat?

"Yes, it's important to keep PLA products out of intense sunlight areas of warehouses (in or out of the packaging cartons). PLA has a relatively low glass transition temperature (typically between 44 and 63 °C). This is the temperature at which the molecular bonding starts to “relax” – don’t panic… it’s not melting, just relaxing. If the temperature increases it will move to a melting phase. PLA’s melt temperature is between 157 - 170 °C. This varies dependent on the thickness of the material and if it is bonded on cardboard (like coffee cups).

Note that CPLA is used to make our coffee lids and cutlery (CPLA is a harder and more brittle version of PLA). This has a higher melt temperature of 200 °C.

The most at-risk PLA products are clear cups, clear lids and straws as these are thin-walled PLA products. These are designed for serving cold drinks and are safe for use (all have SGS food certs). However, they are at the most risk if stored in high-temperature environments. Even things like a hot car in the summer could cause parts to soften and deform."

How is PLA (Polylactic Acid) made and why is it known as a bioplastic?

"PLA is an abbreviation of Polylactic Acid. It is different from most thermoplastic polymers in that it is derived from renewable plant-based resources like corn starch or sugar cane. CPLA is Crystalised PLA and has simply been made to be more rigid so that PLA can be used for more purposes (like a coffee cup lid).

Petroleum-based plastics, by contrast, are derived from the distillation and polymerization of nonrenewable mineral oil reserves. Polylactic Acid is biodegradable and has characteristics similar to polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). It can be produced from existing manufacturing equipment (those designed and originally used for petrochemical industry plastics). This makes it relatively cost-efficient to produce.

Accordingly, PLA has the second-largest production volume of any bioplastic (the most commonly typically cited as thermoplastic starch). Plastics that are derived from organic matter (e.g. PLA) are known as “bioplastics.”"

How was PLA discovered?

Dr Patrick Gruber is credited with inventing a commercially viable process for producing polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic made from corn. He is named co-inventor on 48 United States patents related to the production of PLA. He and his wife Sally, also a chemist, first created plastic from corn kernels by brewing a batch of PLA on their kitchen stove without using any additives or solvents. PLA was first identified in the 1920s, when Wallace Carothers, the inventor of nylon, worked on it at DuPont. Chemical giants had spent decades trying to find a renewable and environmentally safe raw material to make into plastic. Until Gruber’s discovery in 1989, no one had discovered out how to make PLA from plant starches with the right properties and inexpensively enough for large-scale production.

If petroleum-based plastics are classed as biodegradable, is this a good idea?

No. Petroleum-based plastics should not be classed as Bioplastic. If a petroleum-based plastic molecule is modified to biodegrade then this adds environmental problems. The material breaks down faster, but the separated molecules are still petroleum-based plastics and they are now much smaller. The smaller these molecules become the more harmful they become. This is because they can now be more easily ingested by animals and humans. Adding to this problem is the fact that petroleum is not renewable, there are far more important uses for this valuable resource. Recycling these types of plastics makes sense, but making them biodegradable is a bad idea.

What characteristics of PLA (Polylactic Acid)?

"PLA is classified as a “thermoplastic”. Thermoplastic materials become liquid at their melting point (150-160 degrees Celsius in the case of PLA) which allows them to be easily injection moulded (lids/cups/cutlery) or sprayed (container lining). In its solid form, PLA is not toxic. As PLA is biodegradable, it is often used in food handling and medical implants that biodegrade within the body over time.

Using PLA eliminates the need to use non-renewable and unsustainable petroleum resources. Like most plastics, during the manufacturing process, it has the potential to be toxic if inhaled and/or absorbed into the skin or eyes as a vapour or liquid. PLA is fairly unsuitable for very high-temperature applications (such as reheating in a microwave). It has been approved for use in the manufacture of disposable products as the temperatures of any hot drinks or food have to be safe for humans, to avoid scalding."

What happens when fossil fuel-based plastic waste degrades to a microbead level?

This revealing video from earthFIX shows the extent of the damage being caused to our ecosystem by fossil-fuel based microplastic beads: https://youtu.be/6-1aMka3D2I

Why do PLA products have recycling symbols 7 and 00?

We class all "other" plastics as class 7. This class includes several petroleum-based plastics that are not considered mainstream, and they are bundled into this one recycling class. The problem with placing PLA in this mix is that PLA is not petroleum-based and recyclers do not want it bundled. Yet PLA is still seen as an "other" plastic so it is classed as 7. Using 00 is essentially stating that PLA is not petroleum-based so a separate class should be used. In some parts of the world, PLA is used for making many different products that will not be contaminated with food waste(3D printers for example use PLA). In these instances, PLA can be, and sometimes is, recycled and not turned into compost.

Are Green Choice PLA Clear cups safe to use in the freezer?

No, our PLA clear cups are not freezer safe.

Are PLA clear cups safe to use in the microwave?

No, our PLA clear cups are not microwave safe.

Can you put Green Choice cup holders in a home compost?

Yes, our cup holders are made from cardboard pulp fibres. Cardboard is rich in carbon and is useful for balancing your home compost. For best results rip it into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice cup holders?

Yes, our cup holders are made from cardboard pulp fibres. These can be recycled if free from food contamination and can be placed in the cardboard recycling.

Are Green Choice sandwich boxes safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our single-wall sandwich boxes are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice sandwich boxes safe to use in the microwave?

No, our sandwich boxes are not microwave safe.

Can you put Green Choice sandwich boxes in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our sandwich boxes.

Can you recycle Green Choice sandwich boxes?

No, our sandwich boxes are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Are Green Choice single-wall soup bowls safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our single-wall soup bowls are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, products made with paper are not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice single-wall soup bowls safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our single-wall soup bowls are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice single-wall soup bowls in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our single-wall soup bowls.

Can you recycle Green Choice single-wall soup bowls?

No, our single-wall soup bowls are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Are Green Choice stir sticks safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, stir sticks are freezer safe down to -10°C.

Are Green Choice stir sticks safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our stir sticks are microwave safe up to 100°C.

Can you put Green Choice stir sticks in a home compost?

Yes, as our stir sticks are 100% Birchwood, they can be placed in your home compost, wood is rich in carbon and is useful for balancing your home compost. For best results break it into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice stir sticks?

Yes, as our stir sticks are 100% Birchwood they can be recycled if free from food contamination.

What type of wood are Green Choice wooden stir sticks made from?

Our stir sticks are made from Birchwood. Birchwood has a straight grain making it strong and durable.

Are Green Choice sugarcane products safe to use in the freezer?

No, we do not recommend using our sugarcane products in the freezer as they are only recommended for temperatures under -5°C.

Are Green Choice sugarcane products safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our sugarcane products are microwave safe up to 105°C

Can you put Green Choice Sugarcane products in a home compost?

Yes, our sugarcane products are made from waste fibres of the sugarcane plant which is 100% natural compostable material. For best results rip into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice sugarcane products?

Yes, our sugarcane products can be recycled if they are clean from food contamination.

Are Green Choice takeaway boxes safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our takeaway boxes are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice takeaway boxes safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our takeaway boxes are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice takeaway boxes in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our takeaway boxes.

Can you recycle Green Choice takeaway boxes?

No, our takeaway boxes are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Can you put Green Choice cutlery in a home compost?

Yes, as our wooden cutlery is 100% Birchwood it can be placed in your home compost, wood is rich in carbon and is useful for balancing your home compost. For best results break it into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice wooden cutlery?

Yes, as our wooden cutlery is 100% Birchwood it can be recycled if free from food contamination.

Is Green Choice wooden cutlery safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, wooden cutlery is freezer safe down to -10°C.

Is Green Choice wooden cutlery safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our wooden cutlery is microwave safe up to 100°C.

What type of wood is Green Choice wooden cutlery made from?

Our wooden cutlery is made from Birchwood. Birchwood has a straight grain making it strong and durable.

Are CPLA products safe to use in the microwave?

No, our CPLA products are not microwave safe.

Are Green Choice CPLA products safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our CPLA products are freezer safe down to -10°C.

Can you recycle Green Choice CPLA products?

No, our CPLA products can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Can you put Green Choice CPLA products in your home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down our CPLA products.

What is CPLA?

CPLA is a crystalised PLA. Chalk is added to the PLA as a catalyst which creates a harder material that isn’t as susceptible to hot temperatures.

Are Green Choice takeaway boxes with windows safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our takeaway boxes with windows are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice takeaway boxes with windows safe to use in the microwave?

No, our takeaway boxes with windows are not microwave safe.

Can you put Green Choice takeaway boxes with windows in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our takeaway boxes with windows.

Can you recycle Green Choice takeaway boxes with windows?

No, our takeaway boxes are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

What are the delivery costs?

Our shipping charges for your order will be calculated and
displayed at checkout.

  • Orders $1-$199 (ex GST) are $6 per carton.
  • Orders over $200 (ex GST) are freight Free.

For more information, please refer to our shipping policy.

How long will it take to receive my order?

All orders are processed within 2-3 business days. Orders are not shipped or delivered on weekends or holidays.

  • Estimated Delivery times to the North Island is 1-2 days.
  • Estimated Delivery times to the South Island is 2-4 days.

For more information, please refer to our Shipping Policy.

I have placed an order through your website. Is it possible to add to my order?

No, if you wish to purchase more products it is best to place a new order.

I have only received part of my order.

Wait a day to see if the courier delivers the rest of your order the following day.
If you still haven’t received the rest of your order, Send an email to hello@greenchoice.nz and our customer service team will do their best to help you with your concern and provide the necessary steps to sort things out immediately.

What is your return policy?

If you need to return your product(s) for whatever reason, please email hello@greenchoice.nz and one of our friendly representatives will get back to you within 2 working days. Alternatively, you can call us on 0800 864 725. For more information about return and refund policy, please visit this link.

Product Information

All products information

Chip Cup

Are Green Choice chip cups safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our chip cups are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice chip cups safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our chip cups are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice chip cups in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our chip cups.

Can you recycle Green Choice chip cups?

No, our chip cups are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Corrugated Kraft

Are Green Choice Corrugated products safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our corrugated products are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice Corrugated products safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our corrugated products are microwave safe up to 85°C, we recommend reheating food in our containers and never placing a container in the microwave without food as there is a risk the cardboard will dry completely which can lead to a fire.

Can you put Green Choice Corrugated products in a home compost?

Yes, our corrugated products are made from kraft cardboard. Cardboard is rich in carbon and is useful for balancing your home compost. For best results rip it into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice Corrugated products?

Yes, our corrugated products are made from kraft cardboard which if free from food contamination and can be placed in cardboard recycling.

Dessert tub

Are Green Choice dessert tubs safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our dessert tubs are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, products made with paper are not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice dessert tubs safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our dessert tubs are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice dessert tubs in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our dessert tubs.

Can you recycle Green Choice dessert tubs?

No, our dessert tubs are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Drinkware

Why are there so many cup types supplied under the drinkware range?

Unipak has been supplying disposable cups since 2004 and knows that cafes have different preferences for wall thicknesses, textures and sizes. Single wall cups are very common, however, they can transfer heat quicker so insulating sleeves are a good idea. Double wall cups help reduce the transfer of heat, and ripple styles do this and also add texture to help grip the cups. You can view the Green Choice drinkware range here.

Hot cups

Are Green Choice hot cups safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our hot cups are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, products made with paper are not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice hot cups safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our hot cups are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice hot cups in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our hot cups.

Can you recycle Green Choice hot cups?

No, our hot cups are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Kraft soup bowls

Are Green Choice kraft soup bowls and lids safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our kraft soup bowls and lids are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice kraft soup bowls and lids safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our kraft soup bowls and lids are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice soup bowls and lids in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our kraft soup bowls and lids.

Can you recycle Green Choice kraft soup bowls and lids?

No, our kraft soup bowls and lids are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Noodle box

Are Green Choice noodle boxes safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our noodle boxes are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn

Are Green Choice noodles boxes safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our noodle boxes are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice noodle boxes in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our noodle boxes.

Can you recycle Green Choice noodle boxes?

No, our noodle boxes are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Paper/Kraft Paper

Can you put Green Choice paper products in a home compost?

Yes, our paper products are made from 100% paper which is safe for your home compost. For best results rip into small pieces and water.

Can you recycle Green Choice paper products?

Yes, our paper products are made from 100% paper which is recyclable if free from food contamination.

PLA Clear cups

Can you put Green Choice PLA clear cups in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down our PLA clear cups.

Can you recycle Green Choice PLA clear cups?

No, our PLA clear cups can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Are Green Choice PLA Clear cups safe to use in the freezer?

No, our PLA clear cups are not freezer safe.

Are PLA clear cups safe to use in the microwave?

No, our PLA clear cups are not microwave safe.

PLA

Do Green Choice products contain any polymer/modifiers, such as PBAT?

"All Green Choice products containing PLA comply with EN 13432 (09-2000) standards and AVI/OK 1 testing for ""OK COMPOST"" confirmation.
Our PLA clear cups, PLA straws, PLA paper cups and PLA food boxes are 100% PLA, no PBAT modifier is added.
There is a PBAT modifier added for PLA cutlery, Spoons, Fork, and Knife to add strength to these specific products.
A greater mass and density of PLA used to form a product leads to longer composting timeframes and more rigid composting conditions are required."

Do PLA products need to be stored carefully away from heat?

"Yes, it's important to keep PLA products out of intense sunlight areas of warehouses (in or out of the packaging cartons). PLA has a relatively low glass transition temperature (typically between 44 and 63 °C). This is the temperature at which the molecular bonding starts to “relax” – don’t panic… it’s not melting, just relaxing. If the temperature increases it will move to a melting phase. PLA’s melt temperature is between 157 - 170 °C. This varies dependent on the thickness of the material and if it is bonded on cardboard (like coffee cups).

Note that CPLA is used to make our coffee lids and cutlery (CPLA is a harder and more brittle version of PLA). This has a higher melt temperature of 200 °C.

The most at-risk PLA products are clear cups, clear lids and straws as these are thin-walled PLA products. These are designed for serving cold drinks and are safe for use (all have SGS food certs). However, they are at the most risk if stored in high-temperature environments. Even things like a hot car in the summer could cause parts to soften and deform."

How is PLA (Polylactic Acid) made and why is it known as a bioplastic?

"PLA is an abbreviation of Polylactic Acid. It is different from most thermoplastic polymers in that it is derived from renewable plant-based resources like corn starch or sugar cane. CPLA is Crystalised PLA and has simply been made to be more rigid so that PLA can be used for more purposes (like a coffee cup lid).

Petroleum-based plastics, by contrast, are derived from the distillation and polymerization of nonrenewable mineral oil reserves. Polylactic Acid is biodegradable and has characteristics similar to polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). It can be produced from existing manufacturing equipment (those designed and originally used for petrochemical industry plastics). This makes it relatively cost-efficient to produce.

Accordingly, PLA has the second-largest production volume of any bioplastic (the most commonly typically cited as thermoplastic starch). Plastics that are derived from organic matter (e.g. PLA) are known as “bioplastics.”"

How was PLA discovered?

Dr Patrick Gruber is credited with inventing a commercially viable process for producing polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic made from corn. He is named co-inventor on 48 United States patents related to the production of PLA. He and his wife Sally, also a chemist, first created plastic from corn kernels by brewing a batch of PLA on their kitchen stove without using any additives or solvents. PLA was first identified in the 1920s, when Wallace Carothers, the inventor of nylon, worked on it at DuPont. Chemical giants had spent decades trying to find a renewable and environmentally safe raw material to make into plastic. Until Gruber’s discovery in 1989, no one had discovered out how to make PLA from plant starches with the right properties and inexpensively enough for large-scale production.

If petroleum-based plastics are classed as biodegradable, is this a good idea?

No. Petroleum-based plastics should not be classed as Bioplastic. If a petroleum-based plastic molecule is modified to biodegrade then this adds environmental problems. The material breaks down faster, but the separated molecules are still petroleum-based plastics and they are now much smaller. The smaller these molecules become the more harmful they become. This is because they can now be more easily ingested by animals and humans. Adding to this problem is the fact that petroleum is not renewable, there are far more important uses for this valuable resource. Recycling these types of plastics makes sense, but making them biodegradable is a bad idea.

What characteristics of PLA (Polylactic Acid)?

"PLA is classified as a “thermoplastic”. Thermoplastic materials become liquid at their melting point (150-160 degrees Celsius in the case of PLA) which allows them to be easily injection moulded (lids/cups/cutlery) or sprayed (container lining). In its solid form, PLA is not toxic. As PLA is biodegradable, it is often used in food handling and medical implants that biodegrade within the body over time.

Using PLA eliminates the need to use non-renewable and unsustainable petroleum resources. Like most plastics, during the manufacturing process, it has the potential to be toxic if inhaled and/or absorbed into the skin or eyes as a vapour or liquid. PLA is fairly unsuitable for very high-temperature applications (such as reheating in a microwave). It has been approved for use in the manufacture of disposable products as the temperatures of any hot drinks or food have to be safe for humans, to avoid scalding."

What happens when fossil fuel-based plastic waste degrades to a microbead level?

This revealing video from earthFIX shows the extent of the damage being caused to our ecosystem by fossil-fuel based microplastic beads: https://youtu.be/6-1aMka3D2I

Why do PLA products have recycling symbols 7 and 00?

We class all "other" plastics as class 7. This class includes several petroleum-based plastics that are not considered mainstream, and they are bundled into this one recycling class. The problem with placing PLA in this mix is that PLA is not petroleum-based and recyclers do not want it bundled. Yet PLA is still seen as an "other" plastic so it is classed as 7. Using 00 is essentially stating that PLA is not petroleum-based so a separate class should be used. In some parts of the world, PLA is used for making many different products that will not be contaminated with food waste(3D printers for example use PLA). In these instances, PLA can be, and sometimes is, recycled and not turned into compost.

Pulp cup holders

Can you put Green Choice cup holders in a home compost?

Yes, our cup holders are made from cardboard pulp fibres. Cardboard is rich in carbon and is useful for balancing your home compost. For best results rip it into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice cup holders?

Yes, our cup holders are made from cardboard pulp fibres. These can be recycled if free from food contamination and can be placed in the cardboard recycling.

Sandwich box

Are Green Choice sandwich boxes safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our single-wall sandwich boxes are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice sandwich boxes safe to use in the microwave?

No, our sandwich boxes are not microwave safe.

Can you put Green Choice sandwich boxes in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our sandwich boxes.

Can you recycle Green Choice sandwich boxes?

No, our sandwich boxes are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Single-wall soup bowl

Are Green Choice single-wall soup bowls safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our single-wall soup bowls are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, products made with paper are not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice single-wall soup bowls safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our single-wall soup bowls are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice single-wall soup bowls in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our single-wall soup bowls.

Can you recycle Green Choice single-wall soup bowls?

No, our single-wall soup bowls are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Stir stick

Are Green Choice stir sticks safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, stir sticks are freezer safe down to -10°C.

Are Green Choice stir sticks safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our stir sticks are microwave safe up to 100°C.

Can you put Green Choice stir sticks in a home compost?

Yes, as our stir sticks are 100% Birchwood, they can be placed in your home compost, wood is rich in carbon and is useful for balancing your home compost. For best results break it into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice stir sticks?

Yes, as our stir sticks are 100% Birchwood they can be recycled if free from food contamination.

Sugarcane

Are Green Choice sugarcane products safe to use in the freezer?

No, we do not recommend using our sugarcane products in the freezer as they are only recommended for temperatures under -5°C.

Are Green Choice sugarcane products safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our sugarcane products are microwave safe up to 105°C

Can you put Green Choice Sugarcane products in a home compost?

Yes, our sugarcane products are made from waste fibres of the sugarcane plant which is 100% natural compostable material. For best results rip into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice sugarcane products?

Yes, our sugarcane products can be recycled if they are clean from food contamination.

Takeaway box

Are Green Choice takeaway boxes safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our takeaway boxes are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice takeaway boxes safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our takeaway boxes are microwave safe up to 85°C.

Can you put Green Choice takeaway boxes in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our takeaway boxes.

Can you recycle Green Choice takeaway boxes?

No, our takeaway boxes are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Takeaway box with window

Are Green Choice takeaway boxes with windows safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, our takeaway boxes with windows are freezer safe down to -10°C, however, cardboard is not a great choice for freezing contents as they are not airtight so will allow moisture to escape from the food causing freezer burn.

Are Green Choice takeaway boxes with windows safe to use in the microwave?

No, our takeaway boxes with windows are not microwave safe.

Can you put Green Choice takeaway boxes with windows in a home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down the PLA lining in our takeaway boxes with windows.

Can you recycle Green Choice takeaway boxes with windows?

No, our takeaway boxes are lined with PLA and therefore can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Wooden Cutlery

Can you put Green Choice cutlery in a home compost?

Yes, as our wooden cutlery is 100% Birchwood it can be placed in your home compost, wood is rich in carbon and is useful for balancing your home compost. For best results break it into small pieces and water well.

Can you recycle Green Choice wooden cutlery?

Yes, as our wooden cutlery is 100% Birchwood it can be recycled if free from food contamination.

Is Green Choice wooden cutlery safe to use in the freezer?

Yes, wooden cutlery is freezer safe down to -10°C.

Is Green Choice wooden cutlery safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, our wooden cutlery is microwave safe up to 100°C.

What type of wood is Green Choice wooden cutlery made from?

Our wooden cutlery is made from Birchwood. Birchwood has a straight grain making it strong and durable.

CPLA

Are CPLA products safe to use in the microwave?

No, our CPLA products are not microwave safe.

Can you recycle Green Choice CPLA products?

No, our CPLA products can not be recycled in New Zealand.

Can you put Green Choice CPLA products in your home compost?

No, home composts don’t get hot enough to break down our CPLA products.

What is CPLA?

CPLA is a crystalised PLA. Chalk is added to the PLA as a catalyst which creates a harder material that isn’t as susceptible to hot temperatures.