This post is sponsored by the Flexible Packaging Association, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
What is flexible packaging? Flexible packaging is made from paper, plastic, film, aluminum foil, or any combination of those materials, and includes bags, pouches, labels, liners, wraps, rollstock, and other flexible products. It protects products until and during use. Due to its airtight nature, it can protect food and products better than previous packaging, while using less materials.
Flexible packaging is more sustainable. During production, it uses less fossil fuels, emits less greenhouse gases, and uses less water. Due to its construction, it’s more efficient to ship in bulk, therefore using less trucks and less energy. Flexible packaging protects products and therefore helps cut down on food waste. For example, by wrapping bananas in flexible packaging, their shelf life skyrockets from 5 days all the way to 36 days! Since it is lightweight, it consumes less materials and less packaging goes to landfills. Right now, at least 50% of flexible packaging can be recycled. To find out which ones can be recycled in your local area, check out the TerraCycle database. There are so many ways that flexible packaging helps us with sustainability.
I love flexible packaging for travel! Let’s be honest: when traveling by car, by plane, hiking, etc., the top thing we worry about is the weight of our luggage. Flexible packaging cuts down the bulk and therefore cuts down on weight. It’s easy to use! Often it comes in convenient sizes and can be resealable. I look for this style of packaging first when we travel. Lastly, it’s readily available. You have probably seen the packaging without even realizing it. Brands like Nature Valley™, StarKist® , Purely Elizabeth, SKIPPY® , Bear Naked®, Method, etc. are a few of the brands that I’ve personally used. And I didn’t realize that they were utilizing flexible packaging until now!
As I make purchasing decisions for home and travel, I try to make the best decisions for my household while also trying to make the best purchases for the environment too. While using less plastic is a factor, how much fossil fuel is used in production and shipping, food waste, and environmental impact are also so important. Keeping this in mind, I’ll be looking for flexible packaging for my house and for our travel adventures.
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