100% Zero waste achieved using NatureFlex
By Canadian Packaging staff
Design & Innovation Food Safety Sustainability Flexibles ECOTEAS Innovia Films NatureFlex films packaging films Sustainable Food Trade AssociationTea manufacturer achieves zero waste with film wrappers on tea bags.
Innovia Films says Oregon-based ECOTEAS is using NatureFlex packaging films in the wrappers of their individual tea bags. When laminated to paper, the final structure offers the protection and natural appearance that ECOTEAS was looking for. The result was a “100% ZERO WASTE” package, with all ingredients and packaging components suitable for composting (tea, filter paper and wrapper) or recycling (carton).
This flexible packaging material is derived from wood pulp sourced from managed plantations and is certified to be over 90 per cent bio-based and home and industrial compostable.
High barriers to oxygen and moisture ensure the tea bags contained within are protected and kept fresh.
ECOTEAS received the Sustainable Food Trade Association’s national “Responsible Packaging Award” in 2012 for the use of 100 percent post-consumer recycled paperboard in their cartons.
This recognition led to continued development of the “greenest” tea packaging possible.
To extend their sustainability efforts to the entire tea bag line, they removed the tags, strings, and staples, and introduced the new tea bag overwraps.
ECOTEAS founder and president Stefan Schachter explains: “We believe that business must be an engine for positive change. That’s why we founded ECOTEAS in the first place. We want to do our part to eliminate the waste created by our society. We believe these steps are critical for the wellbeing of current and future generations.”
The new packaging was unveiled earlier this month at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, CA.
ECOTEAS creative director Joseph Chermesino adds, “Our new packaging generated a great deal of buzz at the Expo. Everyone who visited our booth expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for our new Zero-Waste tea bag line. The quality of the material, the high functionality and the compostability all earned outstanding marks.”
Innovia Films marketing coordinator Jake Hebert sums up, “We are proud to be working with brands that have a true passion for sustainability. NatureFlex assists in ECOTEAS’ mission to extend the ethos of their company to their packaging.”
More information on Innovia at www.InnoviaFilms.com.
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