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Our Commitment

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.

View Our Sustainability Brochure

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:

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Waste to Landfill

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

icon recycling waste

Waste

Improve recycling in all plants from 80% to 85%

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Energy

Reduce the intensity factor 1per ton production by 10%

Greenhouse Gas icon

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

Reduce GHG by 10%

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Hazardous Waste

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

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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

Preserve™

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
USDA certified bio based
PCR

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
How2recycle
BPI Compostable

Industrial Compostable

  • When recycling is not an option or to meet legislation requirements
  • Utilize to help meet food waste goals
  • Developing commercial structures
Printpack Sustainability Chart

NEXT LIFE PACKAGING

Flexible Packaging Compared to Other Packaging Formats

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Carbon Impact

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

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Fossil Fuel Usage

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

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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 Ratios

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.

Waste and Landfill

Material to Landfill

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

Partnerships

We have established partnerships with non-governmental organizations to broaden our expertise and build more credibility with clients.

Sustainable Packaging Coalition
The Associated Plastic Recyclers
Plastics Industry Association
Flexible Packaging
W.R.A.P. Plastic Recycling
More Recycling logo
BagandFilm Recycling_BFR Partner
Carbon Disclosure Project
Ameripen
Ocean Plastics Leadership Network logo
Hefty Energy Bag