Preserve the Future

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.

Download Our Corporate Social Responsibility Report
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:

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.