Sustainable Packaging
More now than ever before, brands in all categories are being challenged to use packaging and processes that reduce emissions, minimize waste, and consume fewer natural resources.
We help brands do this by advancing our Purpose and Philosophy through the Four Ps:
People, Plants, Products, and Partnership as it relates to sustainable packaging.
Consult with Printpack for the latest sustainable packaging technology:
- High-performance materials and re-close technologies
- Rigid containers made from curbside PCR
- Recyclable pouches, rollstock, and containers
- New and emerging biomaterials
- Source-reducing package design
- Industrially compostable packaging
People
There is one crucial component that has attributed to more than 60 years of success at Printpack — our people. Our associates work closely with customers to develop sustainable packaging that will safeguard their products in the most responsible way possible.
Printpack helps customers achieve their packaging goals. This vision is brought to life by dedicating sustainable packaging thought leaders to the full-time pursuit of packaging innovation.
Plants
Printpack is committed to developing and using sustainable systems in our daily manufacturing operations that ensure the highest possible standards in plant emissions, waste reduction, and consumption of natural resources.
As part of our corporate social responsibility, our five-year manufacturing goals include:

Waste to Landfill
Achieve a 20% real reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill

Waste
Improve recycling in all plants from 80% to 85%

Energy
Reduce the intensity factor 1per ton production by 10%

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
Reduce GHG by 10%

Hazardous Waste
Reduce the intensity factor for hazardous waste generated by production by 10%

Water Usage
Reduce the intensity factor for water usage by 15%
Products
We have developed a product strategy; Printpack Preserve™, that includes sustainable packaging platforms. This encompasses a portfolio of eco-friendly structures that use renewable and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, as well as maximizing design opportunities for greenhouse gas and source reduction and an optimal end-of-life condition.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that assigns producers responsibility for the end-of-life of products. This can include both financial responsibility and operational responsibility, though the amount and type may differ. Producers are required to provide funding and/or services that assist in managing covered products after the use phase.
Click on the link to learn about the legislation in your state.
Download Our Guide For Sustainable Innovation

Sustainability Benefits of Packaging
Flexible and specialty rigid packaging offers a number of sustainability benefits throughout the entire life cycle of the package when compared to other packaging formats including:
Reduced
- GHG emissions
- Materials to landfill
- Food waste
- Packaging materials
Improved
- Resource efficiencies
- Storage footprint
- Product-to-packaging ratio
- Transportation benefits
BEGINNING OF LIFE PACKAGING

Renewable Content
- Reduce dependency on petrochemicals
- USDA biobased product
- Demonstrated commercial success


PCR
- Increased demand for recycling and drive the circular economy
- Packaging contains recycled plastics (primarily PET, HDPE, PP)
- Developing commercial structures
Recyclable
- Today’s most viable circular solution
- How2Recycle certified packaging
- Demonstrated commercial success


Industrial Compostable
- When recycling is not an option or to meet legislation requirements
- Utilize to help meet food waste goals
- Developing commercial structures


NEXT LIFE PACKAGING
Flexible Packaging Compared to Other Packaging Formats

Carbon Impact
A rigid PET container for laundry detergent pods emits +726% more greenhouse gases than a flexible pouch with a zipper.

Fossil Fuel Usage
A rigid pail for cat liter packaging consumes +1,429% more fossil fuel than a flexible bag.

Water Usage
An HDPE bottle for motor oil packaging consumes +513% more water than a flexible pouch with a fitment. A steel can for packaging coffee consumes +1,605% more water than a flexible pouch.

Product to Package Ratio
A single-serve juice flexible pouch efficiently uses packaging with a product to package ratio of 97% compared to a can.

Material to Landfill
+31% more thermoformed tubs for food packaging end up in landfill compared to a flexible pouch.