An olive oil production company in Hawke's Bay has found a way of turning its waste product into kitty litter.
The Village Press, which sells its olive oils in supermarkets, as well as exports overseas, has been looking at ways of using its by-product.
Chief executive Wayne Startup says he got the idea of turning it into kitty litter, after he noticed the stones, skins and flesh, resembled just that.
He then contacted Massey University and set about researching the concept.
Trials have been going on for almost a year and are due to be finalised by end of August, though it could take up to a year to get the product to market.
Mr Startup says there is a gap in the market for a natural kitty litter from the traditional non-biodegradable clay variety.
He says the kitty litter market in New Zealand is worth more than $16 million annually.
