The Future Of Eco-Friendly Packaging

With the emphasis today on sustainable packaging methods, Industry leaders & average consumers are thinking alike. There is a push for research and development across the board.Not surprisingly, the industry has responded quickly and with tremendous innovation, to get packaging products in the market that are eco-friendly and manufacturing friendly.

With this movement, we have seen the huge changes in how packaging materials are made compared to just a few years ago. What has changed? To us, the changes are relative to new thinking and better production processes such as these evolving developments.

1^st Development: Consumer Mandates For Eco-Friendly Packaging Products

  Unparalleled consumer mandates for sustainable containers, is motivating improvements as well as creating more maintainable resolutions. As a result, the container industry is exceeding expectations, which offers consumers a responsible choice. Packaging that is asthetically pleasing, has an excellent shelf life and will turn into compost within 3 months is the new norm. With packaging made from natural products through a joining process of paper and film technologies, packaging becomes both efficient and practical for many applications. This is a great alternative to petrochemicals and hazardous ingredients previously used. This,along with the accessibility of buying these products right here in the United States instead of buying overseas is creating a whole new market for American companies. Money that was previously invested in overseas products is now being re-invested in American companies, who are providing this valuable new technology.

2^nd Development: Materials That Perform Well In Today’s Climate 

Consumers have raised the bar for sustainable packaging manufacturers. Finding new resources and using more environmentally friendly materials has made it challenging to say the least. Through various testing methods, it has been recognized that biopolymers have reacted differently to the many stages on the production line.

Some were more likely to tear during the process or become sticky. Ongoing collaboration with manufacturers, new ideas have brought the fruition of biopolymers that do not tear as easily and allow for more flex and less cracking. This is an extremely important part of the food container process and for the shelf life of the products.

3^rd Development: More Efficient Machine Options 

With advancements in the types of eco-friendly products available in the printing & packaging industry, improvements in the processes has also improved. Lower sealing temperatures because of the use of bio-polymers instead of the old fashioned plastics has eliminated the need for high temp machines. They run faster and it creates a less stressful environment for the machines, which results in longer life and less maintenance.

We can see that with progress in the environmentally friendly packaging processes, companies are finding new ways to cut costs and meet the ever increasing demand for sustainable packaging for consumers. This ensures competition and eco-friendly growth for a long time to come.  

The Future Of Wine Labeling In The U. S.

We have heard for a long time the involvement of the FDA in nutritional labeling practices for food. Up until now, they have excluded alcoholic beverages from the same criteria of labeling as food. It has recently made the announcement that it will allow for nutritional labeling to be included on alcoholic beverages. These changes were brought about in part because of the liquor mogul Beam Global. In order to prove their Skinnygirl Brand of Wines, actually contains just 100 calories, instead of the normal 110 or more for each 5 oz. serving, they have to be able to include the ingredients. Though this is an action not supported by other alcohol bottlers, it will be voluntary to begin with. Most non-supporters are concerned this is the first step towards mandatory label requirements.

The alcohol laws in the U.S. are still reflecting a lack of oversight from the years of alcohol being banned. The unquestionably unequal law is obvious. An example is today, if you sell “food” such as a fruit flavored drink, you have to list the ingredients as well as the nutritional information. But if you use that same fruit to make an alcoholic beverage, you are then subject to regulations of the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau.

With the lack of participation in this process, consumers have stood to ask the questions like “Does this beverage contain GMO’s or Animal Products?” Currently, it is just a guessing game to figure out if their beers are vegan enough or GMO free enough to purchase. Smaller specialty brewers are trustworthy and are locally available.

When it comes to Wine, it has not been excluded from the discussion either. Whether outrageously expensive or the bottle on the refrigerator shelf at the local wine store, it could contain up to 200 different additives. That is the number the U.S. currently sets as a limit for any additives in the wine produced here.

Winemakers who see the importance of “real ingredient” labeling, are in front of the efforts to get the wine and alcohol producers to see the value as well. 

Randall Graham-Founder of Bonny Doon has listed everything on his labels since 2007. Even something as minor as water was listed. Another leader in the labeling movement is Paul Draper. He is a famed minimalist Winemaker, who also believes ingredients should be on the bottles of wine. These two are just a small percentage of the growing support for this type of transparency. It would appear consumer support is positive as well.

It is not a consensus however. Adding extras to the manufacturing of products in this market are a normal process that hides a multitude of mistakes and adds flavoring not retained in the finish product, normally. It is reasonable to see why this would be the case. So many of the additives are toxic on their own and that couldn’t be the best news to publicize. 

Real Ingredient Labeling for alcoholic beverages is something that is trying to catch up with today’s standards. Until recently, most people have not been concerned about the ingredients in their alcohol, but that has started to change as well. Today’s consumer is smarter and more concerned with what’s in their food & drinks. With this new train of thought, it is inevitable for better labeling practices to be ignored. 

The reward for this thinking will filter throughout the industry with wineries for taking more care in providing additive free or additive limited products. Consumers will buy more beverages that are labeled with “real ingredient” information. There will also be a reward to the label manufacturing market. Their involvement in this transition is critical to the excellence expected in the future. Changing both the details of the labels and the sizing requirements will require skilled companies who specialize in food or beverage labeling, to get even more involved in their wine and alcohol manufacturers planning process.  

Authorized for reprint by Rose Richmond by Labels Fort Worth