Packaging Resource Center: Web Exclusive Green Packaging Products
Bubble Wrap
Pregis Corp. has launched Astro-Bubble Green, which the company says is the first air-cushioning bubble wrap to contain up to 40% postconsumer recycled content (PCR) but no less than 30% PCR, depending on the availability of post- and preconsumer waste material. The 40% of PCR comprises 20% PCR and up to 20% industrial scrap. The firm says that Astro-Bubble Green has been engineered to incorporate high levels of PCR without losing product integrity such as air retention within the bubble. Additionally, an organic green dye is used to create a visual cue that the product is an environmentally conscious alternative.
Pregis Corp., Deerfield, IL, www.pregis.com
PCR Percentage
Popular packaging lines from O. Berk Co., including Boston Rounds, cylinders, Jefferson Rounds, and Union Ovals, are available containing PCR percentages of at least 25%, in accordance with California mandates. Higher concentrations of PCR, in some cases up to 100%, are also available. PCR has a tendency of making a bottle or jar slightly yellow in color, but colorants can solve this problem. The supplier says that all PCR containers can be frosted, decorated, and labeled.
O. Berk Co., Union, NJ, www.oberk.com
Bamboo Brush Handles
Qosmedix’s Bamboo Brush Kit features brushes with soft, synthetic bristles and sleek bamboo handles, all contained in a lightweight carrying pouch. The professional set includes brushes for powder, blush, foundation, eye shadow, concealer, eyeliner, lips, eyebrows, and eye lashes. The fold-up pouch, made from cotton and hemp, has eight slots for individual applicators. For a customized look, a brand’s logo can be printed on the pouch and brushes.
Qosmedix, Edgewood, NY, www.qosmedix.com
PLA Shrink Sleeves
Photo courtesy of Seal-It, a division of Printpack
The Seal-It division of Printpack provides Earthfirst PLA film that the company says performs as well as heat-shrinkable PVC film. The supplier says that beauty brands have been using the films to package lip balm, cosmetic pencils, and other types of containers. In addition, says the company, brands often print bar codes, ingredients, and graphics onto the sleeves, and include tamper-evident features.
Seal-It, division of Printpack Inc., Farmingdale, NY, www.printpack.com
Recyclable Holographic Substrate
Unifoil Corp.’s holographic UniLustre substrate is an award winning, 100%-recyclable, proprietary nonlaminated metallized material. No film, foil, or harmful solvents are used in the product’s manufacture. In addition, it can be made from PCR materials, including PLA, paper, paperboard, and plastic. The substrate requires no hot stamping or laminating to achieve metallic or holographic effects
Unifoil Corp., Fairfield, NJ, www.unifoil.com
PCR Tube
CCL Tube’s PCR tube line provides options such as up to 70% PCR in the tube body, up to 60% PCR in the tube head, and a 100% PCR closure. Standard tube sizes, ranging from ¾ to 2 3/16 in., are available, with compatible head/neck finishes that include B22-400, M8, M5, ND20.6, and dome (3/4 in. only). Decorating options include one- to eight-color offset printing, one- to six-color silk-screen printing, hot stamping, and spot- and pressure-sensitive labeling. CCL manufactures all tubes in the United States.
CCL Tube, Carson, CA, www.ccltube.com
Organic Bags
Cosfibel offers a collection of 100%-natural cases, clutches, and purses. The bags can be made with materials such as organic cotton and hemp. A wooden handle that can be attached to the bag and can also be removed and reused as a bracelet.
Cosfibel, New York, NY, www.cosfibelgroup.com
Eco-Friendly Metallized Look
CurtChrome, a proprietary metallic printing technique, is Curtis Packaging’s biodegradable, 100%-recyclable alternative to metallized laminations. Conventional foil and metallized polyester laminate products do not biodegrade in a landfill, nor can they be easily recycled. The company says that in the last few years, CurtChrome has prevented more than 2,000 tons of foil from going to the landfill.
Curtis Packaging, Sandy Hook, CT, www.curtispackaging.com
PCR Tubes
International Cosmetic Suppliers (ICS) has developed three-layer coextruded tubes with 33%-PCR HDPE in the middle layer of the tube sleeve. The company says that it can also add PCR to the PP tube cap. ICS can provide a wide variety of PCR options, and the firm says that it uses certified PCR resin suppliers. Its tube-manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14000 certified.
International Cosmetic Suppliers, North Point, Hong Kong, www.ics-world.com
Films and Facestock
Label supplier Mactac Printing Products has introduced its Bloom line of products. The line includes facestocks that range from 30 to 100% postconsumer waste and are available in a variety of finishes, including uncoated white, blue, cherry red, green, orange, pale yellow, and semigloss. Additionally, the line’s Enviropath products include EarthFirst PLA films, available in clear and white, for labeling purposes.
Mactac Printing Products, Stow, OH, www.mactac.com
Folding-Carton Board
Mohawk Fine Papers’ new Renewal Folding Board 80% PC White is Forest Stewardship Council-certified and, according to Mohawk, has the highest postconsumer-waste content available. Mohawk Renewal’s initial product launch is an 18-point board. The firm says that although larger boxes are typically constructed from heavier board, the majority of packaging for luxury items such as cosmetics and bath products uses 18-point board. Renewal features a premium uncoated surface that accepts ink very well and performs well through finishing and converting processes, from offset and UV offset printing to letterpress, foil-stamping, and embossing.
Mohawk Fine Papers Inc., Cohoes, NY, www.mohawkpaper.com
Stone Paper
Natural Source Printing offers a variety of paper products made from FiberStone paper. FiberStone paper is made 80% from calcium carbonate, or limestone, and 20% from a nontoxic HDPE resin binder. The paper can be used as a substitute for synthetic paper and film, premium coated paper, recycled paper, and PVC sheets. Recently, the company produced cartons made from FiberStone for Nature’s Gate’s Organics holiday gift sets.
Natural Source Printing, www.naturalsourceprinting.com
Airless Dispenser
Promens has launched an airless bottle made from recycled materials. The multilayer coextruded bottle has an external layer made from recycled PE, which accounts for 70 to 80% of the total raw material weight of the bottle, says the company. The inside of the bottle has an inner virgin layer. The bottle contains the supplier’s patented AirFree internal pouch system. The pouch is made from virgin PE, adhesive, and EVOH barrier material. The entire package be easily crushed and separated to facilitate recycling, according to the company.
Promens, Bellignat, France, www.promens.com
Certified Paperboard Packaging
Graphic Packaging International, a provider of paperboard packaging, including folding cartons, recently announced that its South American division in Brazil was given SmartWood certification by the Rain Forest Alliance and Forest Stewardship Council, indicating the company’s responsible chain of custody in its sourcing practices. All of the company’s converting facilities and kraft mills are also certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Graphic Packaging International Inc., Marietta, GA, www.graphicpkg.com