Graphic Packaging partners to unveil child-resistant, recyclable laundry pod carton

USA – Graphic Packaging International, in collaboration with Radienz Living, have launched the first certified child-resistant, curbside-recyclable paperboard package for laundry pods in the US. 

Named CleanClose with ChildBlock, this innovation offers a greener alternative to traditional plastic packaging in the unit-dose laundry sector.

The CleanClose carton, certified under US 16 CFR 1700.20, is crafted from paperboard containing 50% recycled fiber and is prequalified as “widely recyclable” by How2Recycle. 

Designed to prioritize child safety, the packaging features a tamper-evident button and an audible “click” closure, ensuring ease of use for adults while preventing access by children.

Chuck Tarlton, director of new business development at Graphic Packaging, stated, “Achieving child-resistance in a recyclable paperboard format that also meets supply chain demands has been one of the most exciting packaging challenges of my career.” 

The collaboration with Radienz Living has resulted in a market-ready solution that balances safety and sustainability.

The carton is designed for efficiency, shipping flat and offering 10% more space efficiency than conventional plastic pouches. 

It can withstand up to 400 pounds of top-load compression, making it suitable for self-palletization and optimized for e-commerce and large-format retail. 

The customizable pack can hold up to 160 laundry pods, addressing consumer and retailer needs for durability and convenience.

Ernesto Levy, CEO of Radienz Living, emphasized the innovation’s significance, noting that the paperboard pack is a step forward in safe, recyclable packaging built for modern supply chains. 

This aligns with Radienz Living’s history of sustainable innovation, including a prior recyclable club-size pouch that reduced plastic use by 80%.

Meanwhile, similar efforts are underway globally, with companies like Unilever partnering with Graphic Packaging to introduce plastic-free paperboard boxes for laundry capsules in markets like France, further reducing plastic waste. 

The CleanClose carton sets a new benchmark for laundry pod packaging, offering a practical, sustainable option for retailers and consumers alike.

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