Our Packaging Transition
We're changing our courier bags – here’s why:
At HealthPost, we’re always looking for ways to do better by people and planet. That’s why we’re moving from our much-loved paper-based courier bags to ones made from recycled plastic pollution – specifically certified ‘Ocean Bound’ plastic, rescued before it can enter the sea. These new bags, called POLLAST!C, are a step forward in our sustainability journey and part of our commitment as a B Corp and Zero Carbon business.
Read on for more about the change – and what it means for you.
Why are you changing from paper to plastic?
When we first introduced paper-based courier bags, they were the best option available – made from post-consumer waste and easy to recycle. At the time, soft plastics recycling wasn’t widely available in NZ, and compostable mailers didn’t meet our standards due to lack of recyclability.
But paper has downsides too. Paper courier bags are comparatively heavy and made using older, coal-powered technology, which gives them a relatively high carbon footprint. Now that better options exist, it’s time to evolve.
Our new courier bags are made from certified Ocean Bound Plastic waste, collected from coastal areas with no formal waste infrastructure. They have a lower carbon footprint than paper – and help clean up plastic pollution before it enters the ocean.
What exactly is POLLAST!C?
POLLAST!C is an award-winning material from fellow B Corp, Better Packaging Co. It’s made from recycled plastic collected within 50km of coastlines in Southeast Asia – areas where plastic is often dumped due to a lack of waste management systems.
This plastic is:
- Rescued before it can pollute oceans
- Certified as Ocean Bound by Zero Plastic Oceans
- Recycled in facilities transitioning to solar power
The result is a bag that’s tough, traceable, and has a verified lower environmental impact than most alternatives.
Is using plastic a step backwards?
We understand the concern – but not all plastics are created equal. These bags aren’t made from new, virgin plastic. Instead, they’re part of a circular system that turns pollution into packaging and then waste into fence posts right here in NZ – keeping plastic in use and out of our oceans.
By supporting this shift, you’re helping to:
- Reduce Ocean Bound Plastic pollution
- Lower carbon emissions
- Support social enterprises in low-income communities
The result is a bag that’s tough, traceable, and has a verified lower environmental impact than most alternatives.
What’s the social impact?
In the Southeast Asian communities where the plastic is collected, poverty and pollution often go hand-in-hand. By creating a market for discarded plastic, Better Packaging Co. helps provide reliable income and employment – raising living standards while reducing environmental harm.
How do I recycle the new bags?
The POLLAST!C bags can be recycled via the New Zealand Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme – just drop them off at collection points in many supermarkets and The Warehouse stores.
If you’re in a region without access, we now offer a Soft Plastics Recycle Bag, so you can send them directly to Future Post – a trail-blazing New Zealand company that turns soft plastics into durable, recyclable fence posts for farms and vineyards. A free courier pick-up through NZ Post is included with every Soft Plastic Recycle Bag purchase, which you can book here.
Where does the recycled plastic go?
Collected soft plastics are now processed right here in Aotearoa. Future Post operates out of Waiuku and Marlborough, producing posts that replace chemically treated timber. Their solution is BioGro-approved for organic use and contributes to a truly circular system.
Are the new bags compostable?
No – and that’s by design. Compostable plastic often can’t be recycled, and most home composting systems can’t break them down properly. POLLAST!C bags are meant to be recycled, not composted – keeping them in circulation longer and out of the environment.
Does this reduce HealthPost’s carbon footprint?
Yes. Independent lifecycle analysis shows POLLAST!C mailers have:
- 79% lower CO₂ than 100% recycled paper mailers
- 29% lower CO₂ emissions than traditional plastic mailers
They’re lighter to ship and eliminate the need for virgin materials. All this helps us stay on track with our Zero Carbon certification.
While there is no perfect packaging, we’re confident that this shift represents a positive step for our oceans, our climate, and our communities. Thanks for joining us on the journey.
