With around 4.7 billion non-biodegradable plastic cups, plates and utensils thrown away in France each year, the country is looking to ban them. The massive waste has lead to a big change in how various industries are going about cutting down wastage. One interesting example is the kiwifruit industry.
"The moves overseas are exciting, and may have a roll on effect for New Zealand." Environment Minister Nick Smith said.
"One of the most exciting ones for instance is using the waste products from the kiwifruit industry to create knives and forks that are recyclable and biodegradable - that is an important part of the future ," he says.
"There are hundreds of millions of meat trays that are used in our supermarket sector that used to be made of polystyrene ... that industry has moved over to a biodegradable product."
