Naturipe removes 92 metric tons of plastic waste from packaging

(Naturipe Farms)

Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe Farms removed 92 metric tons of plastic waste from their packaging in 2020, almost quadrupling the amount they reduced in 2019. 

The reduction is a result of a new packaging technology that Naturipe has adopted which reduces plastic by 33%, according to a news release.

Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability for Naturipe, leads all of Naturipe’s sustainability efforts. McIntosh, the company said, introduced the new packaging technology to the berry category and contributed to the berry industry’s collaborative movement to a wash-away label, and added the How2Recycle label to Naturipe’s products. 

The Packer recently asked McIntosh about Naturipe’s work to reduce plastic waste and the market reaction. 

The Packer: How are buyers/consumers reacting to the gains you have made with eliminating plastic?

McIntosh: Now more than ever, climate change is at the center of conversations and a priority among many businesses. This is also true when it comes to consumers who are more conscious than ever before about the impact their purchasing decisions have on the environment.

As a result, consumers are going out of their way to recycle, reduce plastic waste, and more. At the same time, we’re noticing that consumers increasingly like to know where their products are coming from and what steps their favorite brands are taking to do good by people and the environment. They like to know that they share the same values as the companies they purchase their products from. 

More and more retailers are embracing reduced plastic packaging and we know our consumers appreciate our efforts on this front as well. By sharing the same values, we are strengthening loyalty among our consumers and retailers. As this trend continues and climate change remains a priority, we expect it to play a bigger role in consumers’ purchasing decisions. 

 

The Packer: What have you (or others) found is an effective way to educate consumers about recycling? Is this something you share with consumers through social media efforts as well? 

McIntosh: In addition to reducing plastic and innovating new solutions for sustainability, Naturipe prioritizes educating its consumers about recycling. One effective educational method is the “How2Recycle” label that we are adding to our packaging. The label instructs consumers on best recycling practices and where to find information specific to their municipality.

 

 

The Packer:  Are you also pursuing other types of packaging (paper-based, for example) to reduce plastic use? Does the market favor both approaches? What might berry packaging look like in five years, perhaps from the perspective of both shippers and consumers?

McIntosh: We are always exploring and testing other types of packaging, but so far nothing can replicate the benefits of plastic for our berries. Cost, berry quality, shelf life, merchandising and visibility are key in a package.

When you consider a potential new material, you must take into account the unintended consequences of the change.  Can you source enough raw material needed to make the new packaging? Will the use of this new source negatively impact the environment? Is there an infrastructure currently available to dispose of the new material? Will the new package protect, sustain and give the consumers the visibility they need to make that purchase decision? And most importantly, will this new packaging material be affordable?

Fiscal sustainability is at the top of our decision tree, as our family farms must thrive. 
 

 

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