Wenatchee, Wash.-based Starr Ranch Growers showcased at Southern Exposure a new recyclable pouch bag that it will be using for all its apples, pears and cherries in the future.
Finding a product with good enough visibility was one hurdle; another was finding a recyclable zipper, said national marketing representative Brent Shammo. Making sure the packaging – particularly the handle of the bag – had the strength of a traditional pouch bag was another consideration.
The next key part of the process is developing messaging for the bag so that consumers know they can simply put it in their recycling bin once they’re done with it. Interest among retailers has been strong.
“We’re getting a lot of feedback that people want to try them,” Shammo said. “The price is a little bit more expensive, but as a company we care about sustainability, we think it’s better to do for the environment, so it’s worth it to us to just spend a little bit more money, get these bags and get everything in them.”
He noted that last year the company offered a paper-backed pouch bag as a way to reduce plastic, so having a 100% recyclable pouch bag this year is the natural evolution for the company. Starr Ranch could be done with non-recyclable plastic in its packaging in the next couple years, he said.
Other companies that noted sustainable packaging in their new product showcase entries at Southern Exposure included RPE, Titan Farms, Michigan Fresh Marketing, Grimmway Farms, Lipman Family Farms, Mission Produce, Honeybear Brands, Hollandia Produce, Red Sun Farms and Sage Fruit Co. Check out the video to see some of the items featured.
