Boost Profits and Protect the Environment with Sustainable Snack Packaging

Today’s consumers are prioritizing sustainability more than ever — and they’re voting with their dollars. In fact, a recent study found that 66% of all respondents and 75% of Millennial respondents say they consider sustainability when making a purchase. 53% of people even reported that they would be willing to pay one to three percent more for sustainably packaged goods, underscoring the importance of eco-friendliness. Consumers believe brands have as much responsibility as governments to create positive environmental change; if you don’t prioritize eco-friendliness, your loyal customers might just buy your competitor’s product instead. So, how do you create sustainable snack packaging without breaking the bank? Here’s the full guide:

How to Create Sustainable Snack Packaging

Use Sustainable Films

The first step towards creating sustainable snack packaging is to use eco-friendly films. Previously, snack packaging relied heavily on just plastic, which is a non-renewable resource. But now, there are other alternatives that are better for the environment. These might include:

  • High-performance recyclable packaging: This kind of packaging is recyclable with a store drop-off label in the How2Recycle program. In addition to the packaging being recyclable, it can also be made with recycled content to contribute to a circular economy. And, it still has excellent optical properties, high stiffness and puncture resistance, and strong barriers.
  • Bio-Pouch: Made from annually renewable plant-based materials, the “Bio-Pouch” meets ASTM-D6400 testing standards for BPI certification.
  • EarthFirst® PLA made with Ingeo: This compostable, carbon neutral, and renewable plant-based material generates just 0.3kg of carbon dioxide per kilogram. It biodegrades in a maximum of 44 days when composted at a commercial composting facility. Yet, it maintains an excellent shelf life under recommended conditions. 
  • Tipa: This compostable film emulates the properties and functionality of conventional plastic materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
  • NatureFlex: Compostable, carbon neutral, and a renewable plant-based material, NatureFlex typically degrades within 12 weeks when processed at a commercial composting facility. It’s created from renewable wood pulp sourced from managed plantations and is certified to meet ASTM D6400 and EN13432 standards.
  • Kraft paper: You can also opt for kraft paper for your snack packaging, which is 100% post-consumer recycled content. It’s available in sheets, bags, and rolls.

Work with a Sustainably-Minded Manufacturer

The best way to create sustainable snack packaging is to work with a manufacturer that has sustainability in mind. Using certain equipment, your chosen manufacturer can reduce your business’s impact on the environment. This equipment might include:

  • Laser anilox cleaner: A laser anilox cleaner reduces water and energy consumption during the plate cleaning process. Compliant with international safety regulations, this energy-efficient air extraction system eliminates messy waste and facilitates faster cleaning cycles.
  • Regenerative thermal oxidizer: These systems reduce the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process by destroying any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may be created. Exhaust air from industrial processes are redirected into a combustion chamber, where the VOCs are then exposed to extremely high temperatures until the pollutants are 99% destroyed. The result is cleaner air for the planet.

Need Sustainable Snack Packaging? Turn to PPC Flex

If you’re in need of sustainable snack packaging, we can help. PPC Flex is an advanced flexible packaging manufacturer, focused on providing purposeful, powerful packaging solutions. We strive to be the partner that helps skyrocket your business’s success with simple, helpful products. 

Our agile and experienced approach leverages the most experienced industry leaders in flexible packaging to anticipate challenges before they arise. With our nimble systems, passionate team, and leading-edge innovations, we’ll manage all complexity so you don’t have to. From the initial design to the final shipment, we’ve got you covered. Leave all the packaging tasks to us so you can focus on what really matters — growing your business.

Let’s Create Something Great Together

Want to learn more about what we can do for you? Our team is standing by to get to know more about your next project. Reach out to us for an initial consultation and we’ll respond as quickly as possible.