Planning to “Green” up your flexible packaging, things to consider:
The four “R’s” provide a useful set of principals when making material selection and flexible packaging choices.
Reduce
Use the film gauge and package size that will effectively protect and transport the contents. Take the time to learn what film type and thickness will best suit your application.
Reuse
Depending on the form of packaging in use - reuse packaging materials to cut down on the amount of material purchased. Resource reduction in any form is always a first step in making more sustainable choices.
Recycle
Choose materials that can be recycled as part of curbside collection or via industrial waste management collection systems. Materials that can be recycled help to recover raw materials, energy and aid in reducing CO2 generation. Identify the type of material you are using to construct your packaging to help assist in the collection and sorting process.
Recover
As a positive first step - use and identifying recyclable materials. Just as important is the choice to purchase products that contain post-consumer recycled material. The use of PCR materials supports the entire recycling system; collection, recovery, reprocessing and resale of plastics.
Advice, knowledge, technical direction and sustainable material considerations are all important when making environmentally conscious flexible packaging choices.
