New packaging slashes plastic waste, grower says

Salinas, Calif.-based organic grower Earthbound Farm says it has adopted new peel-and-reseal sustainable packaging technology that has eliminated up to 35% of its plastic use. This drop translates to a reduction of 3.5 million pounds of plastic per year, according to a news release.

Earthbound Farm has achieved this by replacing its rigid lid packaging with a resealable lidding film and eliminating the top and bottom label. The new design improves the shopper experience and maintains a tray made from 100% recycled plastic packed with the salad greens, according to the release.

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What’s more, according to the release, Earthbound Farm says the packaging is popular with consumers, as over 93% expressed satisfaction with the new packaging, citing freshness, sustainability and convenience.

“We constantly challenge ourselves to do more with less,” T. Bruce Taylor, Earthbound Farm’s vice president of organic, said in the release. “We are thrilled that our new packaging has been a hit with our consumers, while helping Earthbound Farm and our customer partners make progress towards our collective sustainability goals.” 

With the new peel-and-reseal packaging design, Earthbound Farm is launching three new Bright and Crunchy branded blends this fall that brings new flavor, color and crunch combinations to the organic salad set, the release said. The blends include:

• Romaine + Butter Crunch: chopped romaine, baby red butter lettuce, shredded carrots.
• Little Gem Kale Crunch: chopped little gems, shredded kale, chopped radicchio, shredded green cabbage, shredded broccoli stalk.
• Little Gem Butter Crunch: chopped little gems, baby red butter lettuce, shredded carrots, shredded red cabbage.

“We are excited to utilize this innovative technology to bring consumers value and convenience,” Jenny Panziera, Earthbound Farm’s director of organic product, said in the release.  “By combining sweet and butter lettuce varieties with the added crunch and nutrition of fresh-cut vegetables, we are creating new flavor experiences for the organic consumer.”