Eco Impact of Inverted Pouches vs. Rigid Plastics

Glenroy Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment of STANDCAP vs. Rigid Plastics Report

Eco Impact of Inverted Pouches vs. Rigid Plastics

Glenroy, Inc. approached PTIS, LLC to look at providing a life cycle assessment (LCA) and report with descriptions on key environmental indicators based comparing the premade STANDCAP Pouch to a rigid package equivalent across a range of product categories including sauces, condiments, and personal care. The purpose of the LCAs was to use the results as an educational tool and better understand the environmental impacts of the different package options.

FPA partnered with Glenroy to produce fact sheets that summarize the key findings of each LCA case study in keeping with previous and future LCA case studies that FPA has done with PTIS.

All environmental impact metrics were developed using the streamlined life cycle assessment tool, EcoImpact-COMPASS®

CHOCOLATE SYRUP PACKAGE COMPARISON

The premade STANDCAP Pouch has a number of sustainability benefits when compared to an HDPE bottle for packing and shipping chocolate syrup. These include lower fossil fuel and water use, GHG emissions, better product-to-package ratio and considerably less material discarded at end-of-life.

CONDIMENTS/SAUCES PACKAGE COMPARISON (RECYCLABLE STANDCAP VS. PET BOTTLE WITH PCR VS. PET BOTTLE)

Condiments and sauces are most often sold in a rigid package. All five of the packages used to create the generic Condiment/Sauce pack standard were between 12 – 16 oz. For this streamlined LCA study, two rigid packaging formats were evaluated (0% and 30% PCR in the PET bottle) vs. the recyclable STANDCAP. A product weight of 14.9 oz. was used for the comparison.

HAND LOTION PACKAGE COMPARISON

The results of this scenario show that the premade STANDCAP Pouch results in lower impacts across a wide range of environmental metrics, including fossil fuel and water use, GHG emissions and discarded material. This is driven by the efficient material usage of the flexible pouch, which uses less than half the amount of material needed to package the same amount of lotion.

HONEY PACKAGE COMPARISON

The flexible premade STANDCAP Pouch has a number of positive sustainability attributes when compared to a rigid PET bottle for honey, which includes lower fossil fuel and water use, GHG emissions and discarded material; and a higher overall product-to-package ratio.

HUMMUS PACKAGE COMPARISON (17 oz.)

The results of this scenario show that the premade STANDCAP Pouch results in lower impacts across a wide range of environmental metrics including water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and material discarded. The inclusion of PCR drives all of the environmental indicators lower – fossil fuel, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use.

HUMMUS PACKAGE COMPARISON (10 oz.)

The results of this scenario show that the premade STANDCAP Pouch results in lower impacts across a wide range of environmental metrics including water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and material discarded. The inclusion of PCR drives all of the environmental indicators lower – fossil fuel, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use.

KETCHUP PACKAGE COMPARISON

The premade STANDCAP Pouch results in lower impacts across a wide range of environmental metrics, including fossil fuel and water use, GHG emissions and discarded material. This is driven by the efficient material usage of the flexible pouch, which uses less than half the amount of material needed to package the same amount of ketchup.

MAYONNAISE PACKAGE COMPARISON (PET Jar)

The premade STANDCAP Pouch for mayonnaise has a number of sustainability benefits when compared to a rigid inverted container or PET jar for mayonnaise, including lower fossil fuel and water use, GHG emissions, better efficiency of materials and considerably less material discarded at end-of-life.

MAYONNAISE PACKAGE COMPARISON (Inverted PET Bottle)

The premade STANDCAP Pouch has a number of sustainability benefits when compared to a rigid inverted container or PET jar for mayonnaise. These include lower fossil fuel and water use, GHG emissions, better efficiency of materials and considerably less material discarded at end-of-life.

MUSTARD PACKAGE COMPARISON

When the premade STANDCAP Pouch and HDPE bottle are used for mustard, the flexible structure will generally have a favorable outcome for fossil fuel and water usage, GHG emissions and material discarded. This is driven by the flexible pouch using less material than the rigid bottle, resulting in less energy used in manufacturing and transporting of the package materials, among other environmental impacts.

PROTEIN POWDER STAND-UP POUCH VS. HDPE CANISTER COMPARISON (TRADITIONAL SUP VS. RECYCLABLE SUP)

Protein powders are often sold in a rigid package, but can also be found sold in flexible packaging formats such as Stand-up Pouches (SUP). For this comparison, 2 separate SUPs were evaluated with the rigid HDPE canister as the standard to which other packages are compared. A product weight of 584g was used for the comparison.

PROTEIN POWDER STAND-UP POUCH VS. HDPE CANISTER COMPARISON (TRADITIONAL SUP VS. PCR SUP)

Protein powders are often sold in a rigid package, but can also be found sold in flexible packaging formats such as Stand-up Pouches (SUP). For this comparison, 2 separate SUPs were evaluated with the rigid HDPE canister as the standard to which other packages are compared. A product weight of 584g was used for the comparison.

SALAD DRESSING PACKAGE COMPARISON

The premade STANDCAP Pouch has a number of sustainability benefits when compared to a PET bottle for packing and shipping salad dressing, including lower fossil fuel and water use, GHG emissions, better product-to-package ratio and considerably less material discarded at end-of-life.

SALSA PACKAGE COMPARISON

The results in this scenario show that the premade STANDCAP Pouch has a number of sustainability benefits when compared to a glass jar for packing and shipping salsa. These include lower fossil fuel and water use, greenhouse gas emissions, better product: package ratio (efficiency of materials), and considerably less material discarded at end of life.

SHAMPOO PACKAGE COMPARISON

The premade STANDCAP Pouch has a number of sustainability benefits when compared to a HDPE bottle for packing and shipping shampoo, including lower fossil fuel and water use, GHG emissions, better product-to-package ratio and considerably less material discarded at end-of-life.

SHAMPOO SPOUTED POUCH VS. PET BOTTLE WITH A PUMP COMPARISON (NON-METALIZED)

Shampoo is often sold in a rigid package, but with more companies looking to find ways to reduce their environmental impacts, some are considering the use of flexible packaging as a solution. In this streamlined LCA, two separate SUP- samples are presented as an alternative. The difference between the 2 SUPs is based on the materials used and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content included in the structure. A product volume of 1 liter (33.8 fl. oz) was used for the comparison.

SHAMPOO SPOUTED POUCH VS. PET BOTTLE WITH A PUMP COMPARISON (METALIZED)

Shampoo is often sold in a rigid package, but with more companies looking to find ways to reduce their environmental impacts, some are considering the use of flexible packaging as a solution. In this streamlined LCA, two separate SUP samples are presented as an alternative. The difference between the 2 SUPs is based on the materials used and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content included in the structure. A product volume of 1 liter (33.8 fl. oz.) was used for the comparison.

SHAMPOO SPOUTED POUCH VS. HDPE BOTTLE WITH A FLIP TOP COMPARISON (NON-METALIZED)

Shampoo is often sold in a rigid package, but with more companies looking to find ways to reduce their environmental impacts, some are considering the use of flexible packaging as a solution. In this streamlined LCA, two separate SUP samples are presented as an alternative. The difference between the 2 SUPs is based on the materials used and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content included in the structure. A product volume of 1 liter (33.8 fl. oz.) was used for the comparison.

SHAMPOO SPOUTED POUCH VS. HDPE BOTTLE WITH A FLIP TOP COMPARISON (METALIZED)

Shampoo is often sold in a rigid package, but with more companies looking to find ways to reduce their environmental impacts, some are considering the use of flexible packaging as a solution. In this streamlined LCA, two separate SUP- samples are presented as an alternative. The difference between the 2 SUPs is based on the materials used and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content included in the structure. A product volume of 1 liter (33.8 fl. oz.) was used for the comparison.

Environmental Impact of Inverted Pouches vs. Rigid Plastic Bottles

Not only are inverted pouches convenient to use, they greatly reduce environmental impact when compared to rigid plastic bottles. Choosing inverted pouches instead of rigid plastic bottles results in up to 63% less plastic, 61% less fossil fuel consumption, 62% less greenhouse gas emissions, 76% less water usage, and 52% landfill waste even when factoring in plastic recycling rates.

Environmental Impact of Inverted Pouches vs. Glass Bottles

Not only are inverted pouches convenient to use, they greatly reduce environmental impact when compared to glass bottles. When compared to other packaging formats, flexible packaging generally weighs less, resulting in less waste, has a better product-to-package ratio, consumes less energy in manufacturing and transport, generates less greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes less to landfill waste.

See the full results of the premade STANDCAP Pouch vs. rigid plastics for chocolate syrup, hand lotion, honey, hummus, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressing, and shampoo.

Download the Full Case Study Report