Company invests in new environment-friendly technology.

 

OfficeMax New Zealand has invested more than NZ$1 million in new packaging technology as part of the company’s long-term sustainability strategy.

 

The company has installed two automated ‘box making’ and lid applicator machines at its North Island distribution centre, specifically designed to minimise packaging and waste.

 

A New Zealand first, the machines use smart technology to create unique boxes custom-designed to fit to the contents of individual orders, removing the need for excess packaging.

 

In Auckland and Christchurch, OfficeMax has also invested in cardboard shredders or void-fill shredder machines that recycle cardboard onsite, converting it into void fill to protect delicate, fragile or dangerous goods while removing the need for plastic pillows.

 

The initiatives will reduce plastic void-fill by 100 per cent, eliminating 1.7 million plastic pillows (the equivalent to 1700 kgs of plastic) from landfill every year.

 

More than 45,000 packages leave OfficeMax’s two DCs every week.

 

OfficeMax managing director Kevin Obern (pictured) said, “Packaging is a top concern amongst our customers and this year we have continued to receive questions about what else we can do to reduce the use of plastic in our packaging.”

 

As part of its 2025 Sustainability Strategy, OfficeMax has made a NZ$5 million investment into its DCs to help future-proof its operations, including the installation of solar panels.

 

OfficeMax has retired all LPG-powered equipment from its fleet and now has 60 electric mechanical handling machines across its two DCs to help reduce carbon emissions.