With 35 years in the packaging industry including six years at Zipform Packaging, Peter Boundy is deeply committed to being part of the drive to create sustainable alternatives for single use plastic packaging. In this interview he shares more about the experience that inspired his journey to joining Zipform Packaging.
A background in polymer science, design and applications in thermoset and thermoplastics technologies, has given Peter Boundy - Business Development and Applications Manager at Zipform Packaging – a unique insight into linear formed fibre packaging as one solution to the plastics issue.
During his time spent travelling around the world, Peter witnessed distressing levels of single use plastic waste that littered the natural environment. Due to rapid urbanisation and inadequate waste management infrastructure, Southeast Asia is one of the major hotspots for plastic pollution.
More than half the amount of plastic waste generated goes uncollected and less than a quarter is recycled. Adding to the crisis, most parts of Asia are a major destination for plastic waste exports from other countries, further escalating the region's plastics burden. Although the impact differs across regions, plastic waste is a global issue affecting all countries. Recently acknowledged by the United Nations, media coverage from the UN 2025 Ocean Conference highlighted marine pollution as a major global issue, something that Peter was heartened to see.
Peter goes on to explain how being exposed to the full extent of plastic pollution changed his career direction,
“I joined Zipform Packaging because I became a convert to single use plastic alternatives. While travelling around Asia and Europe, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of plastic waste littering beaches, waterways, rivers and even oceans. On my return home, I had an epiphany of sorts, and after a serendipitous moment I contacted John Bigley who is the CEO at Zipform Packaging. The rest is history.”
Peter adds,
“Once I understood that Zipform Packaging’s core business was producing fibre-based high-barrier packaging, I knew this was where I could add value. I feel proud to be able to contribute to such a meaningful endeavour in promoting sustainable solutions and alternatives to plastics.”
Shifting perceptions
Consumer research undertaken last year by Zipform Packaging found that whilst 70% of people surveyed felt positively about the idea of a paper fibre bottle, many people said they thought the bottle would leak or become soggy. This scepticism doesn’t surprise Peter Boundy, who said there is a general lack of knowledge at the customer level.
“Most research studies – including our own – show that people are open to alternatives to plastic, however a paper fibre bottle is new to consumers, and they know little about it.” says Peter.
“Stakeholder engagement, including consumer education in the construction of a paper fibre bottle will take time. Whilst this presents a real opportunity for those developing fibre-based packaging; I don’t believe that change will take place without Federal Government intervention. Bottle deposit schemes are a start, but globally the quantity of plastic bottles going to landfill or dumped as waste is out of control - particularly in underdeveloped countries.”
Behind the scenes at Zipform Packaging, Peter is part of a dedicated team who takes pride in the achievements of the business, and the ongoing innovation led by David Kilpatrick, Director Innovation, R&D and Technical - supported by CEO John Bigley and Zipform Packaging’s Chairman and Board of Directors.
“It’s incredibly motivating to be part of a business that is leading the way in cutting-edge innovation,” Peter says. “Our team is proud to be at the forefront in finding a permanent solution that will significantly reduce and hopefully irradicate harmful waste materials from our environment.”
“A long-term vision of the business and in particular, David Kilpatrick was to produce a fibre bottle. Our initial stability trials have confirmed that this paper bottle will keep products shelf stable while delivering a significant environmental improvement by eliminating plastic content, improving recyclability and lowering the carbon footprint.
I personally believe with our endeavours that “we are giving the environment a fighting chance”.