Today, recyclable films and pouches are becoming more and more mainstream. Foreign and domestic pressures, as well as consumers’ demand for more earth-friendly options, are spurring countries to take a look at the issue of waste and recycling and find feasible solutions.
Consumer-packaged goods companies (CPGs) are getting behind the movement too. Unilever, Nestlé, Mars, PepsiCo., and others have committed to using 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025. Coca-Cola is even supporting recycling infrastructure and programs across the U.S., as well as increasing recycling bin access and education for consumers.
According to Mintel, 52% of U.S. food shoppers prefer to buy foods with minimal or no packaging to reduce packaging waste. And in a global survey conducted by Nielsen, consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products. Thirty-eight percent are willing to pay more for products made with sustainable materials, and 30% are willing to do so for products that deliver on socially responsible claims.
The Rise to Recycle
As CPGs get behind the cause by committing to use more recyclable pouch packaging, they are also supporting programs to help consumers recycle more of existing packaging. Why? Flexible packaging can be a challenge to recycle as is, yet more education and infrastructure for consumers will go a long way to spur change. One such challenge is that plastic film cannot be recycled in curbside bins at home. Instead, it must be taken to a drop-off location, like a grocery or other retail store, to be collected for recycling.
Are plastic pouches recyclable? Unfortunately, not all consumers know the answer to this and much gets thrown into curbside recycling and then later ends up in a landfill. The good news is many websites help consumers learn about recycling, like perfectpackaging.org or plasticfilmrecycling.org. They both allow guests to enter their zip code or address and find the nearest recycling center to them. At these sites, consumers can also learn about which types of plastic packaging can be recycled, as well as what happens to film and pouches after they are recycled.
Labeling Recyclable Pouches
You can also play an important part in educating your customers through proper labeling and communication. Labeling on the package itself can help direct consumers on what to do with the package after use.
Recyclable Pouch Material Options Currently Available
Common food and beverage pouches are known to be difficult to recycle because most flexible packaging is comprised of multiple layers that are difficult to separate for recycling. Some CPGs and suppliers, however, are exploring eliminating certain layers like foil and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) in some packages to aid in the recyclability. And taking sustainability even further, many suppliers today are unveiling pouches made from recyclable PE-PE films, EVOH film, post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins, and compostable films.
You can take an array of actions to respond to the recycling problem, from adding recycled materials and using solventless lamination to transitioning to fully recyclable pouches. As you look to add recyclable films to your package offerings, consider using eco-friendly, water-based inks, which are commonly used to print recyclable and non-recyclable pouches. A new generation of water-based inks for solventless lamination is better for the environment and they perform as well as solvent-based inks.