Many companies today are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment and as such want environment friendlier packaging solutions. This global trend is gaining strength and momentum with companies such as Walmart, General Electric and Hewlet Packard actively promoting ‘corporate environmental responsibility’. It may not be too long before they require their suppliers to toe the line also, if you want to do business with them.

This growing demand for eco-friendly packaging alternatives has resulted in many new innovative packaging materials, systems and processes. As technology continues to make advancements the range of solutions improves and grows.

There are an assortment of innovative packaging materials, which are environmentally friendly without sacrificing performance and affordability. These products provide viable packaging alternatives for companies that are instituting “green initiatives”.

1. Reusable Protective Packaging Pads
   By Storopack. Brand: PAD LOC BIO
   • Eco benefit highlights:
     • Compostable film pouches filled with all natural biodegradable PELASPAN BIO Loose file
     • Ultimate eco-friendly packaging alternative to custom fitted packaging materials.
   • Business fulfillments:
     • Economical alternative to expensive custom or pre-fitted packaging materials.
     • High performance and very versatile cost effective packaging that contours to the shape of any product
     • Speed production as it is so simple and fast to use.
     • Reusable up to 20 times
     • Provides shock and vibration absorption superior to custom fitted materials
     • Addresses Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
2. High Performance Machine Stretch Film
   By Sigma Stretch Films, Linear Stretch Film and Intertape Stretch Film
   • Eco benefit highlights:
     • Reduce material required
     • Reduces landfill waste.
   • Business fulfillments:
     • Economical - Uses less film (250 – 300% + pre-stretch cast film) which reduces stretch wrap packaging costs.
     • Excellent loading force, puncture and tear resistance
     • Increases throughput speeds (requires high performance stretch wrappers)
   • Notes: Technology has upgraded the qualities of many packaging materials. Some of the new generation products include improvements with material efficiency. This provides a great reduction product used and sent to landfill. Materials that achieve more with less are marketed as high performance, and are an innovation that REDUCE waste for landfill.
3. Pallet Wrap Adhesive
   (A water based environmentally friendly palletizing adhesive)
   By Lock n' Pop
   • Eco benefit highlights:
     • Eliminates stretch wrap waste and dunnage
     • Is non-toxic and recyclable
   • Business fulfillments:
     • Stronger than stretch wrap alone
     • Safer than hot melt
     • Prevents side to side shifting
     • Easily pops apart by lifting
     • Applied with inexpensive nearly maintenance free equipment
     • Does not tear packaging or graphics
     • Leaves no visible or sticky residue
     • Costs just pennies per pallet
     • Reduce labor costs & Improve profits
     • Prevent accidents incurred from stretch wrapping
4. Bio Void fill
   By Storopack. Brand: Pelaspan BIO Loose Fill.
   • Eco benefit highlights:
     • Made from annually renewable resources,
     • Completely natural, biodegradable, reusable, recyclable and compostable
     • Will not contribute to landfill waste providing it is collected and processed as compost.
   • Business fulfillments:
     • Unique “S” design interlocks with the packaging container for stronger cushioning and increased stability
     • No equipment or machinery to load or maintain
     • Requires very little training to get it right
     • Speedy production increases carton throughput
     • Customers love the environmental benefits
     • Addresses Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The question facing businesses and operations looking to implement environment friendlier packaging alternatives is what material, product, system or process is right for them. To ensure the best solution is selected and continues to be the most efficient and competitively advantageous, operations should consult with a packaging materials and systems professional such as Provincial Paper & Packaging ltd. on a regular basis to keep informed of industry developments.

Provincial Paper & Packaging is a supply solutions company providing wholesale packaging, shipping and industrial supplies and systems. They are located in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada. For more information on product lines and services available, visit their website: www.provincialpaper.com