Rockit Global Ltd., the Hawke’s Bay apple company taking the world snack market by storm, has turned its attention to being better global citizens, launching fully recyclable and biodegradable cardboard packaging into New Zealand supermarkets and food stores. The completely delicious, super juicy, fully mature miniature Rockit™ apples are sold in packs – making them a great grab-and-go snack that Kiwis can throw in the car, in handbags and gym bags, or pop in a desk drawer at work. Until last year, these packs were made from recyclable PET plastic, considered optimal for portability and for protecting the fruit from deterioration. Austin Mortimer, Rockit Global CEO, says while the recyclable plastic tube was successful, the organisation was acutely aware of New Zealanders’ commitment to a plastic-free future. “We wanted to support it,” he says. “Like so many Kiwis, members of the Rockit Global team recognise that there is enough plastic in the world already and if there is an alternative material that can fulfil the purpose of packaging, which is to reduce food wastage, we should embrace it.” Rockit Global’s alternative is a kraft cardboard pack that maintains the benefits of convenience and portability, whilst being more environmentally sustainable. “We’re really excited about it,” continues Austin. “Our cardboard is sourced from sustainably managed forests and is PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) approved. It’s been locally designed and produced and is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. With this change for the better, we feel both proud and pleased to be at the leading edge of new developments in a fast-changing global packaging environment.” Rockit Global also recognises that this is just one step in a programme of change. “We believe that we have an absolute responsibility to do no harm to the environment as we grow the business. This is a long journey and there is still global uncertainty around the trade-off between food wastage and packaging but we’re determined to stay fully abreast of developments – particularly in the space of bioplastics as we see real potential here – so that we’re ready to act swiftly when the ideal solution becomes available.” For now, the cardboard packaging will be on shelves in New Zealand, Australia and Europe with the rest of the world in the company’s sights “once we’ve undergone testing to ensure we can meet global food safety, durability and export standards”. Rockit™ apples bring a little goodness, every day, to families in many international markets – including the US, China, Japan and the Middle East – and is loved for its handy miniature size and remarkable taste. The company’s goal is to continue to meet the ever-growing demand for 100% natural wholefoods without additives or preservatives – in the US, that means Rockit™ apples are available alongside crisps, sweets and protein bars at places like Disneyland. Testing conducted by Plant & Food Research has shown that Rockit™ apples pack a big nutritional punch, with higher levels of many essential vitamins and minerals than ordinary apples. On a per serving basis, Rockit™ apples have 65% more potassium, 19% more energy and 10% more fibre than the average apple*. Posted: 13 April 2019