4 Benefits Frozen Food Processors Get From Using Pressed Paperboard Trays

Why are frozen food processors switching to sustainable pressed paperboard trays?

Busy lifestyles drive shoppers toward convenient frozen meals and changing consumer buying habits are showing their preference for greater sustainability. With those important shifts, the packaging that holds frozen foods has become a competitive advantage for processors.

Here are 4 benefits you can gain from transitioning to pressed paperboard trays.

Why sustainable packaging can be a cost-effective alternative for frozen food?

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword. Today’s shoppers actively consider their environmental impact — and they are making purchases based on it.

• 71% of shoppers deliberately choose products with sustainable packaging
• 60% of shoppers say they would pay more for a sustainable product

By moving to pressed paperboard trays, frozen food brands can position their products as both convenient and environmentally responsible. Generational buying habits reinforce this trend:

• 60% of Millennials and 61% of Gen Z say convenience drives their food purchases
• 83% of shoppers say frozen foods help simplify meal planning

PaperTech pressed paper trays check both boxes: they deliver the dual-ovenable performance for frozen food with the eco-friendly packaging shoppers are seeking. In fact, PaperTech helped one frozen food brand  recently switch to paper trays to secure a highly coveted shelf placement in a popular, nationwide retailer.

Benefit 1: You can capture shopper demand for convenience and sustainability, resulting in stronger brand loyalty and premium shelf positioning.

How can frozen food processors avoid the costly risks of packaging regulations?

Frozen food processors face mounting pressure from new and ever-changing packaging regulations. Across the U.S., states are rolling out:

• Single-use plastic bans
• Packaging taxes
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation

For food manufacturers, these changes can make plastic packaging more complex and disruptive. By proactively adopting sustainable paper trays, brands can:

• Reduce regulatory and operational risks
• Future-proof against potential fines and supply chain disruptions
• Get greater certainty about long-term packaging costs

Benefit 2: You can future-proof your frozen food process against disruptive and unpredictable regulatory risks.

Why should frozen food processors partner with a reliable domestic supplier?

With plastic trays often tied to global supply chains, many processors have recently faced delays, halted production lines, inconsistent quality and price volatility. Working with a domestic pressed paperboard tray manufacturer offers distinct advantages:

• Faster response times: Local suppliers can respond quickly to your questions or challenges
• Reduced risk of delays: Minimize the impact of global shipping slowdowns, material shortages or other issues
• Consistent pricing: Avoid price fluctuations associated with imported commodities like aluminum.
• Expert transition assistance: Domestic suppliers often have direct experience helping brands shift from plastic to paper, which reduces trial-and-error during implementation
• Support for American jobs: Sourcing domestically strengthens local economies while reinforcing a processor’s commitment to sustainability and responsibility

Benefit 3: A reliable domestic supplier gives you steadier operations and greater confidence that packaging won’t be the weak link in your production process.

Can paper trays help frozen food processors achieve their sustainability goals?

Reducing plastic use, lowering carbon footprints and increasing recyclability are common benchmarks set by leadership and demanded by shareholders. Switching to pressed paper trays is a straightforward way to hit these sustainability goals. Benefits include:

• Reduced plastic usage: Each tray replaced with paper directly lowers plastic use
• Eco-friendly brand image: Paperboard is naturally aligned with an environmentally responsible identity
• Tangible progress toward environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments: Whether the focus is emissions, recyclability or waste reduction, paper trays provide measurable progress

Meeting sustainability goals isn’t just about compliance. It’s an opportunity to stand out to investors, retailers and consumers. By adopting paper trays, frozen food processors can showcase real steps toward long-term environmental responsibility.

Benefit 4: By reducing plastic usage, you strengthen your environmentally-friendly brand image and show measurable progress toward sustainability goals.

Why are frozen food processors switching to sustainable paper trays?

Pressed paperboard trays aren’t just a packaging change. They’re a business advantage. For frozen food processors, sustainable paper trays make it possible to:

• Capture consumer loyalty and expand margins
• Stay ahead of changing regulations
• Strengthen supply chain reliability through domestic sourcing
• Demonstrate real progress toward sustainability targets

As frozen food continues to rise in popularity, packaging is becoming an even greater driver of shopper choice, regulatory compliance and brand reputation.

How can you thrive in an evolving frozen food market?

If you’re interested in learning more about the industry trends and benefits of switching to paper trays, download our free education resource: A Guide to Sustainable Paper Trays for Frozen Foods.

Looking to switch to paper trays?

Transition to paper trays isn’t just practical. It’s strategic. If you have questions about switching to sustainable packaging, our team is here to help every step of the way. Send us a message and we’ll get back to you promptly.