New Packaging For Grocery Stores
🍓Rethinking Produce Packaging
Walk into any grocery store and you’ll find rows of fresh berries, tomatoes,vegetables, and other specialty produce displayed in clear plastic clamshells. These PET thermoformed containers have long been the go-to for produce because shoppers want to see what they’re buying.
But that transparency comes at a cost. While PET is technically recyclable, in reality, many recycling facilities no longer accept clamshells due to contamination issues, labeling adhesives, and the cost of processing. As some plastic recyclers close or tighten their acceptance standards, these containers often end up in landfills instead of being turned into something new.
At the same time, consumer expectations are shifting. More people are asking brands to use packaging that’s easier to recycle and less dependent on plastic. Paper and fiber recycling, on the other hand, has a much stronger and more established infrastructure in the U.S.
So what if produce packaging could offer both visibility and recyclability?
Pacific Forest is pioneering a sturdy paperboard carton with a clear window. This carton allows the majority of the package by weight and volume to be recycled through standard paper streams, reducing overall waste compared to a full plastic clamshell.
By blending the best of both worlds, visibility for shoppers and recyclability for the planet, the future of produce packaging, whether it is common items like blueberries to more specialty produce, could look a lot less like plastic.
About Pacific Forest
A leading manufacturer of folding cartons and sustainable packaging solutions Pacific Forest has partnered with brands across a wide range of industries for more than 50 years. From Food & Beverage and Medical to Personal Care, Cosmetics, Supplements, and Industrial products, companies with complex packaging needs turn to Pacific Forest for expertise and innovation.
If you’d like to learn more, or discuss how we can support your next packaging project, feel free to contact us.