Why Bonson Chose Polypropylene for the RePlay Returnable Container System
Bonson believes that the ultimate environmental solution is a circular economy – one where the absolute LAST option for packaging disposal is landfill.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution in sustainable packaging. Our goal is to support customers in achieving their own sustainability commitments by giving them choices. This involves Bonson being totally transparent and making information that will help with decision making readily available. We are here to help guide you through what can often be a confusing world of acronyms, codes and greenwashing.
When developing our RePlay returnable container system to support the New Zealand foodservice industry’s move toward reusable packaging, we evaluated various materials and chose polypropylene (PP) as the optimal solution.
About RePlay
RePlay is Bonson’s initiative supporting New Zealand’s transition to a circular economy for plastics. The system encourages return, sanitisation, and reuse of containers, helping organisations meet the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration goal of 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging.
Why Polypropylene?
The ideal material for reusable food containers must balance safety, durability, functionality, environmental performance, regulatory compliance, customer appeal, and cost. After comparing PET, glass, aluminium, steel, and plant-based alternatives, polypropylene emerged as the clear winner.
Key Benefits of PP:
♻️ Recyclability – PP is widely recycled in New Zealand (#5 plastic code) with 95% of households having access to recycling facilities.
🔍 Clarity – High transparency allows food visibility, improving presentation and customer confidence.
🔒 Durability – Resistant to cracking, shattering, and warping, making it ideal for repeated commercial and consumer use.
🛡️ Food Safety – Manufactured to food-grade standards, BPA and phthalate free, and approved for direct food contact.
🔥 Heat Resistance – Safe for microwave, dishwasher, and refrigeration use.
🧼 Dishwasher Safe – Withstands high-temperature commercial and domestic cleaning cycles.
❄️ Cold Storage – Performs well under refrigeration without warping or cracking.
Why Not Other Materials?
- PET: Not microwave or dishwasher safe, limiting reuse applications
- Glass: Heavy, breakable, safety concerns, and high carbon footprint
- Metal: Costly, can alter food taste, not microwave-safe
- Bioplastics: Not suitable for repeated reuse, require special composting facilities
Our Commitment
Bonson chooses clarity over greenwashing. Polypropylene is genuinely recyclable in New Zealand, proven in reuse systems, and aligned with WasteMINZ’s responsible claims framework. We educate consumers about the trade-offs and realities of packaging options because sustainability is about impact and performance, not just optics.
Supporting National Goals
RePlay directly supports New Zealand’s plastics roadmap by helping businesses reduce single-use waste, improve resource recovery, and shift toward a circular economy while providing accurate, compliant messaging to customers.
Learn more about Bonson’s RePlay system and sustainability commitments at bonsonpackaging.co.nz/sustainability
Interested in learning more about the RePlay system? visit www.replayreturn.com
