Kōpani Covers – The Truly Sustainable Alternative to Plastic Wrapping
ADVERTORIAL: KŌPANI COVERS
For an industry intertwined with nature, New Zealand made Kōpani Covers offer beekeepers a reusable, plant-based alternative to plastic. Designed to reduce reliance on plastic wrap, which carries environmental costs in both its production and disposal, the durable covers provide beekeepers with a practical, sustainable option for protecting honey during harvest, storage and transportation.
Developed by Stuart Fraser, Kōpani Covers grew from his 12 years working in apiculture travelling throughout New Zealand, listening to beekeepers and engaging with organic farmers. Spending time observing people, animals and the weather has shaped his understanding of the industry and the opportunities to do things better.
“I was intrigued with the waste in the industry, especially for an industry that works so closely with nature” Fraser says.
“The plastic is just waste, cut it and throw it in the bin or burn it at night while no one is looking – we don’t need the plastic, we can find a better way of doing things.”
Years in Development
Fraser spent years developing the reusable, hemp-based covers, working with beekeepers to understand their needs and how existing materials were used in the field.
The first version featured PVC buckles and clasps, but the design did not work as intended. After several attempts, he rethought the design and worked to source suitable cloth.
He says hemp was a natural choice for its strength and versatility, with the plant-based fibre having a long history of use in rope, boat sails, textiles, clothing and other products. The name Kōpani reflects the product’s purpose, meaning to cover with a lid, shut or close something in te reo Māori.
The covers were initially designed to replace plastic used in the field when harvesting, but beekeepers have since found additional uses when storing and moving loads.
Fraser says the product is deliberately simple, with durability a key consideration. The covers are designed to fit a pallet carrying honey supers, with four supers arranged in a square and stacked five high. They are also made bespoke, to suit the varying sizes and methods used when stacking honey boxes.
He estimates the covers will last more than five years, with rips and tears repairable to extend their life. While the upfront cost is higher than disposable plastic, he says their durability makes them a worthwhile investment, particularly for small and medium-sized beekeepers.
“The guys that are using them have thought a little bit about why and how,” Fraser says.
A Difference Maker
Mark Ebert of Bees for Life in Te Puke, Tauranga, began beekeeping at five when his father bought him a hive. Now a sole trader managing 400 hives, he has been using five Kōpani Covers for the past three years.
Previously, Ebert used division boards and shelter-belt netting due to his dislike of throw away plastic and shrink wrap, making the reusable hemp covers an appealing alternative.
After three years, he says the covers still look brand new. He occasionally soaks, rinses and washes them, and believes they will last at least another five years, if not longer.
Ebert says the Kōpani Covers have made a significant difference when harvesting.
“I did a mānuka site by myself in a single day, collecting 3.5 tonnes, this wouldn’t have been possible without the covers, due to robbing,”
He notes that bees lose interest in the honey stacks once the Kōpani Covers are on, suspecting the hemp covers make the boxes less visible and harder for bees to locate.
Protecting loads while reducing waste
Steven Wootton, based in Wānaka as apiary manager at Taylor Pass Honey Company, has 27 years’ experience in beekeeping and is currently utilising six Kōpani Covers.
Wootton values their practicality and sustainability, using them instead of hive mats and cover boards that he says previously broke regularly. He also trialled plastic covers supplied with pallets ,but found the reusable Kōpani Covers effective for protecting loads while reducing waste.
“A great concept, with great sustainability and great at protecting the load,” he says.
Wootton says the initial investment to purchase covers may seem high, but the reusable covers are a practical option and ideal for operators managing 400 to 500 hives.
“While there is a cost challenge, with an upfront cost, their durability and reusability can make them a worthwhile long-term investment by reducing the need to regularly replace damaged hive mats and cover boards, and they remove using so much plastic.” Wootton says.
He also sees the covers as a good fit with Taylor Pass Honey Company’s B Corp certification and its commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices.
A Conscious Choice
Fraser says disposable plastic is convenient, but believes there are better ways to approach everyday tasks in the apiary.
For him, Kōpani Covers are about more than replacing one product with another. They offer beekeepers an opportunity to reconsider the materials they use and the waste they generate.
The covers are available through direct contact with Fraser, who prefers to speak with prospective customers about their requirements and how the product could work for their operations. His aim is to connect with beekeepers who want to make more sustainable choices while investing in a simple, durable product designed to be used season after season.
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