Decoding Sustainability: Understanding Recyclable and Repulpable Food Packaging

Have you ever wondered what really happens to your food packaging after you toss it into the recycling bin? You’re not alone. We hear a lot about “recyclable” and “sustainable,” but it’s easy to get confused. When it comes to the food packaging we use every day, making informed choices is important. We’re going to clarify the often-confused concepts of “recyclable” and “repulpable,” especially in relation to your food packaging, and how our paperboard trays are contributing to a more sustainable future.

Recyclable: General Principles

“Recyclable” is a term you’ll see on many products, from plastic bottles to metal cans. Essentially, it means a material can be collected and processed into new materials. However, the reality is far more complex. Local recycling programs vary, and contamination (like food residue) can make even theoretically recyclable items unusable. For food packaging, this is a big issue. While many paper products are recyclable, not all are repulpable, which is a more specific and valuable form of recycling.

Repulpable: The Paperboard Advantage

Now, let’s talk about “repulpable.” This term is specific to paper-based products, like our paperboard food trays. Repulping is the process of breaking down paper into pulp, which can then be used to make new paper products. It’s a closed-loop system that reduces our reliance on virgin fibers and minimizes waste. Importantly, while not all recyclable materials are repulpable, all repulpable materials are indeed recyclable.

Why is repulpability crucial for food packaging?

• Circular Economy: Repulpable packaging contributes to a circular economy, where resources are reused rather than discarded.
• Reduced Environmental Impact: Repulping consumes less energy and water than producing paper from virgin fibers, and it helps prevent deforestation.
• Food Contact Safe: Our trays are manufactured to meet food contact safety standards while maintaining repulpability.

Key Differences Decoded

• Material: Recyclable applies to various materials; repulpable is specific to paper.
• Process: Recycling involves diverse processes; repulping is a focused process for paper fiber recovery.
• Outcome: Recycled materials become diverse products; repulped materials primarily become new paper products.
• Coatings: While some coatings can hinder repulpability, our paperboard trays are designed to be repulpable, and we also offer options with food-safe plastic linings that are designed to be compatible with the repulping process where available.

Our Repulpable Paperboard Trays: A Sustainable Solution

We’re proud to offer repulpable paperboard trays that are designed with sustainability in mind. By choosing our trays, you’re opting for packaging that:

• Can be easily broken down and reused in the paper recycling stream.
• Reduces the need for virgin paper production.
• Helps minimize waste and environmental impact.

The Future of Food Packaging is Sustainable

The future of food packaging lies in sustainable solutions like repulpable paperboard. By understanding the nuances of recyclability and repulpability, we can all make informed choices that contribute to a healthier planet. We believe that our repulpable paperboard trays are a step in the right direction, and we’re committed to developing even more innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.

Join us in creating a more sustainable future. Choose repulpable packaging.