An up and coming fast-food company says the industry needs to take a good look itself, and the volume of plastic waste it's producing.

Better Burgers has five outlets so far but ambitions for many more.

General Manager Rod Ballenden says one of its principles is to use 100 percent plant-based, compostable packaging.

And he wants his big competitors to recognise Earth Day by matching that.

Mr Ballenden says New Zealand is the 10th most wasteful country in the world, creating a quarter of a billion [correct] tonnes of plastic waste each year.

This year's Earth Day aims to end plastic pollution on land and in the oceans. 

LISTEN ABOVE AS ROD BALLENDEN SPEAKS WITH KERRE MCIVOR