Sustainable packaging continues to be a recurring discussion topic among produce brands and the consumers who buy them. That, in turn, is prompting manufacturers to keep up their mission of helping customers meet their sustainability goals as they fill their packaging solutions.
Here’s how some packaging suppliers are working toward those sustainability goals.
Fox Packaging
Interest in sustainable packaging remains strong, says Aaron Fox, vice president at McAllen, Texas-based Fox Packaging.
“Our customers are increasingly asking for recyclable options, responsible material choices and support in meeting their private-label sustainability commitments,” Fox explains.
“Private-label programs set clear value promises with their in-store brands, so packaging art and design must reinforce that promise while also meeting recycled content targets and reporting expectations,” he says.
Fox Packaging’s long-range plans focus on expanding its PCR (post-consumer recycled) portfolio, where it aligns with performance, exploring downgauged structures that use less material without compromising product protection and helping customers communicate sustainability claims accurately and responsibly, he says.
“We emphasize clarity and compliance rather than broad or unsupported statements,” Fox adds.
Sev-Rend
Collinsville, Ill.-based Sev-Rend has taken a commonsense approach to developing its sustainable products portfolio, says Rob Williams, president and CEO.
The company stays abreast of available alternate materials, like options that are compostable or bio-renewable, but finds that these materials tend to be too expensive for many customers.
“They are unable to absorb the additional cost, and retailers are unwilling to pay more for them,” he says.
But Sev-Rend’s Bio-Able and PCR-Able product lines are comparatively more affordable and provide sustainable options for customers at competitive prices, according to Williams.
“We also work closely with customers to ‘right-size’ products to reduce head space and the amount of plastic required for their packaging,” he says. “We continue to look for opportunities to downgauge materials where it makes sense and remove unnecessary features when possible.”
For example, he says removing the press-to-close zipper from a 2-pound grape pouch can reduce the amount of plastic in the pouch by 16%.
Emerald Packaging
Over the past year, Emerald Packaging, Union City, Calif., has incorporated more than 1 million pounds of PCR resin into its films, says CEO Kevin Kelly.
“At a 30% PCR loading, this means we directly replaced more than 1 million pounds of virgin polyethylene that would otherwise have been used — without requiring any changes to existing packaging formats or packer processes,” he says.
The company’s near-term goal is to drive broader industry adoption of PCR, Kelly says, and its long-term goal remains to achieve “true curbside recyclability for flexible packaging.”
“As a company, we continue to design for recovery, a philosophy we actively educate brands about,” he says.
Fresh Inset
Fresh Inset, with a U.S. location in Memphis, Tenn., reduces food waste and associated carbon dioxide emissions with Vidre+, which helps maintain product freshness on the shelf and during transport, says Kris Czlaplicki, co-founder and board member.
Czlaplicki sees a future where packaging will no longer be passive and smart labels will help build more efficient, data-driven and sustainable food systems. He thinks Vidre+ is the first step in that direction: a simple, scalable solution that directly reduces waste and brings benefits to every stakeholder of the supply chain.
“The future could integrate freshness solutions with traceability and digital tools, enabling retailers to monitor quality, reduce carbon footprint and optimize supply chains,” he says. “We see Vidre+ as both a solution for today and a platform for the next generation of smart packaging.”
