In Closing: Green Packs
Ask suppliers about their sustainable packaging options.
by Daphne Allen, Group EditorWith Wal-Mart Stores’ Packaging Scorecard and Sustainability 360 programs making the news, sustainability has to be on your mind. But how do you know if your supplier fits the green bill? Do you devise a scorecard of your own?
There may not be one set of criteria that determines whether your supplier—or your company—is green, says Anthony Gentile, director of art and marketing for Xela Pack Inc. (Saline, MI). “Is it material recyclability? The use of recycled materials?” he asks. “It is more than just these. Sustainability involves looking at the entire packaging process.”
Sustainability has always been on Gentile’s mind. His company markets the Xela Pack. The multilayer containers primarily used for samples are not recyclable, given the mixture of polymer and paper needed for barrier and for holding some of its customers’ viscous, oil-based cosmetics and personal care products. But they are fully collapsible when empty. “One hundred empty 1-oz Xela Packs occupy only 32 cu in., compared with the 432 cu in. needed for the same number of empty 1-oz bottles,” says Gentile.
Because of the containers’ collapsibility, their waste, energy consumption, and shipping materials are all minimized, he adds. “People are concerned about reducing their fuel consumption, so they appreciate anything that helps them use less fuel during shipping,” says Gentile. “Keeping emissions down—that is demonstrating an actual stewardship of the earth.”
Xela Pack is also taking advantage of the increasing availability of postconsumer recycled materials. While Xela Pack samples have always comprised about 75% paper, the company now offers to use 100% postconsumer recycled Kraft paper (PCRP) for the paper portion. Personal care brand Carol’s Daughter uses these Xela Pack samples. Xela Pack can also finish the 100% PCRP Kraft with a white coating for better printability. Burt’s Bees just started using it to better match its retail-sized products (see the feature on sampling on page 78).
When it comes to finding a green supplier, Gentile advises product manufacturers to look at the whole company. “They can do a lot to be environmentally friendly.” As far as his own suppliers go, he is excited to see the emergence of new resins using corn. He also looks forward to the day when standards for paper suppliers change. “There are very few in the United States that offer PCRP. Right now, our options are limited.”