Future Post sets "benchmark"

“Future Post is an inspiring example of Kiwi innovation at its best,” the judging panel said when presenting the Supreme Award. “They’ve taken a pressing environmental issue – plastic waste – and turned it into a profitable, scalable solution that benefits multiple sectors, including agriculture, viticulture and infrastructure. Their dedication to continuous improvement, environmental responsibility and community engagement sets a new benchmark for sustainable enterprise in New Zealand.”

Future Post was founded by fencing contractor Jerome Wenzlick seven years ago, and started working with vineyards more than five years ago. These days it runs two large-scale recycling factories in Waiuku and Blenheim, processing more than 4,500 tonnes of plastic waste annually into UV-stabilised fence posts, vineyard posts, railway sleepers and other landscaping materials.

The BioGro certified posts come with a lifetime guarantee and have shown no signs of degradation, even under extreme stress testing. Offcuts and any product that fails quality control are reprocessed, so almost no plastic goes to waste. The judges were particularly impressed with the company’s collaboration with wine industry leaders, such as Saint Clair Family Estate, to help them trial and promote the posts. Jerome says it can take a lot of time to change mindsets, but a handful of early adopters in the wine industry have had the posts in the ground for five years now, proving that they don’t break or “melt in a puddle”, as some of the more sceptical feared initially.

Future Post is exploring further innovations, including calculating its carbon footprint, improving worker safety protocols, and enhancing environmental safeguards at processing sites. There is also growing international interest in the products, with exports already reaching Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the United States. As well as winning the Supreme Award, co-sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre and Plant & Food Research, Future Post won the Wine Industry Category Award, sponsored by Wine Marlborough.