Sustainability and Convenience: Can Produce Packaging Satisfy Both?

Convenience has long been the primary focus for produce packaging, but recent years have seen the emergence of what some might see as a competing concern — sustainability. Driven by consumer concern, and by new legal regulations, sustainable packaging is now a priority for many grocery retailers, but can the two co-exist? Kelsey Weingart, brand manager, marketing at Peri & Sons Farms in Yerington, NV, says sustainability and recycling are currently top of mind across the industry, especially with California’s new SB-343 law pushing the conversation even further. “Packaging can’t just claim to be recyclable anymore. It actually has to be accepted by recycling programs, and that’s raising the bar for everyone,” she says. “With a change like this comes real cost, and it’s not as simple as swapping out a logo or a material. Companies have to rework designs, replace printing plates, and place entirely new packaging orders. What looks like a small label change from the outside actually takes real time and substantial investment behind the scenes. We see it as part of doing business the right way, but it’s worth being upfront that these transitions aren’t instant or free.”

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