Sustainable Packaging Useful for Flexible Packaging
Frozen food, pet food, napkin, and facial tissue companies that haven’t “gone green” are falling behind their forward-thinking competitors in sustainable packaging.
RECYCLABLE PACKAGING
From a technical point of view, all packaging can be recycled, but whether or not a particular packaging is recycled depends entirely on whether or not there is a market for the materials of that particular form of packaging. There are markets for the different materials that packaging is made from, but not for all. Packages made of two or more materials are generally too hard or too expensive to separate.
The key to producing reusable packaging could be packaging made from only one type of material. Recycling symbols 2, 4, and 5 are considered the easiest to recycle and are the plastics to look for on the packaging. Typically, today’s shelf containers are made from a two-layer lamination of polyester and polyethylene. The polyester layer contains high temperatures and is necessary for the process to produce a type of pre-made packaging typical of a bottom gusset bag, flat bottom bag, or quad bag. The film is processed with hard instruments that apply a lot of heat and pressure.
RECYCLABLE CONTAINERS AND LOCAL WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Few have understood the impact of sustainable options and their impact on the environment. The focus of sustainability initiatives and ambitious goals in large companies should not be underestimated, as it is only a matter of time before small companies do the same. As a manufacturer of flexible packaging, we want to reiterate that recyclable companies have a choice, but we understand that brand owners, retailers, and suppliers are turning to sustainable packaging, which is only half the solution to a much bigger problem.
Each community has its own recycling councils and many customers have turned against their local waste disposal systems to avoid throwing plastic bags in the trash. While many packaging providers offer products that help customers on their sustainability journey, there is still a long way to go outside the packaging industry and brand owners to ensure the correct segregation and diversion flows exist to use sustainable packaging.
Remember that even if some places don’t allow plastic bag recycling on the streets, several local retailers have put in place plastic bag recycling programs so people can recycle but not on the side of the road.
BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGE
“Biodegradable” refers to any material that is decomposed into its smallest accessible parts by living microorganisms without causing harm. There are countless materials that are technically perishable, but while the extraction method takes tens or perhaps many years, it doesn’t do much for the environment. To meet the definition of sustainable packaging, perishable materials used in packaging must degrade very efficiently.
COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING
Although compostable packaging is similar to biodegradation, they are two separate processes. Compostable packaging generally degrades within 90 days: water, CO2, biomass, and inorganic compounds. There are 2 reasons why compostable packaging is no longer common today: on the one hand, most municipalities do not offer composting facilities (although some do), and on the other hand, aluminum foil. Compostable packaging is generally much more expensive than alternative sustainable packaging. To measure that the technology getting better, that the composting installations are developed, and that of new clients demanding durable packaging options, the value of the compostable film, just like that of film recyclable, but less (and continue to be).
SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AND YOUR PRODUCT
The answer to the question “What is the best sustainable packaging option?”, It depends on how it will be used, who will use it, and where your customer market is. Many manufacturers choose recyclable packaging as a sustainable packaging alternative because it is easy to learn, relatively inexpensive to deliver, and consumes less energy than alternatives throughout its life cycle.
However, as customers understand sustainable packaging options better and alternative and compostable perishable packaging processing plants become increasingly important, this trend may even change at this time.
SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING AND ITS SUPPLY CHAIN
Whatever your future packaging sustainability plan, it’s important for your customers to know that sustainability is a priority throughout the supply chain. The company’s demand for sustainability is underpinned by one of the most demanding needs of retail. In recent years, many companies have consistently recognized themselves as industry leaders and positioned themselves as other strategic supply chain partners when it comes to safer and more sustainable packaging.
