Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif., which has undertaken a commitment to sustainable packaging, plans to remove 48 metric tons of plastic from its packaging in 2020.
The company is adding the How2Recycle label on packaging to help consumers properly recycle the package, according to a news release.
Changes in berry packaging at the company include a foodservice pack change that removes about 550 pounds of plastic each week, and a heat seal package for fresh and value-added products that reduces plastic by 33%, according to the release. Last year, heat-sealed packaging allowed the company to reduce plastic by 24 metric tons of plastic, according to the release.
“Naturipe Farms and our family of farmers have made it a priority to reduce the environmental footprint in all areas of the business particularly in packaging reduction and recyclability,” Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability. “Since I joined Naturipe I’ve made it my priority to focus my efforts on reducing our environmental footprint not just as a company but as an industry.”
Naturipe joined other North American berry companies in a pledge to use 100% recycle-ready packaging by 2025, a group that includes the California Strawberry Commission, the North American Blueberry Council, Mexican berry growers and the Chilean blueberry Industry.
“This pledge perfectly coincides with Naturipe’s Cultivate with Care sustainability program,” CarrieAnn Arias, vice president of marketing at Naturipe, said in the release. “Naturipe Farms grower/owners, leadership and employees are committed to making sustainability a priority, incorporated into every decision they make.”
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