Sealed Air launches eco-friendly packaging solutions for Best Buy

NORTH AMERICA – Sealed Air, a leader in sustainable packaging, has partnered with Best Buy to improve the retailer’s use of recycled materials in product shipments across North America.

Together, the two companies have developed packaging solutions that significantly reduce the need for new plastics.

Best Buy’s packaging now includes ‘BUBBLE WRAP’ High-Recycled-Content Bubble Cushioning made from at least 90% recycled plastic.

This material carries the How2Recycle label, signalling that it can be dropped off for recycling at participating stores.

Additionally, Best Buy has introduced ‘BUBBLE WRAP’ Recycled-Content Inflatable Air Pillows, which use a minimum of 50% recycled plastic, including 30% post-consumer material.

Best Buy also uses ‘BUBBLE WRAP’ Paper Bubble Mailers, which contain at least 38% recycled paper to further their sustainability efforts. These mailers are curbside recyclable and accepted by most recycling facilities in the U.S.

Tiffani Burt, Vice President of Materials Innovation at Sealed Air, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, “Sustainability progress cannot be achieved in isolation. Our partnership with Best Buy is a prime example of how we help customers solve critical packaging challenges.

“Best Buy’s commitment to recycled content is allowing them to reduce the use of virgin plastics in their shipping.”

Beyond offering eco-friendly packaging, Sealed Air has also helped Best Buy establish a system for collecting plastic waste from its distribution centers, ensuring it is properly recycled.

Sealed Air expands with W.R. Grace & Co. merger

Sealed Air is merging with W.R. Grace & Co.’s Cryovac packaging business in a deal valued at US$5 billion in a significant corporate development.

This merger will create a new, publicly traded entity named Sealed Air, with projected sales of US$2.5 billion.

“This deal triples the size of our business,” said Dermot Dunphy, Chairman and CEO of Sealed Air.

Under the agreement, Grace shareholders will receive 40.9 million common shares and 36 million convertible preferred shares in the new Sealed Air, valued at a combined US$3.7 billion.

Grace will also invest US$1.2 billion in the venture, giving its shareholders a 63% stake in the new company, while Sealed Air shareholders will hold the remaining 37%.

Dunphy described the merger as a “growth merger,” expanding Sealed Air’s reach into 24 additional countries.

He emphasized that the focus is not on cost-cutting but on the strategic fit between the two businesses, enhancing the company’s global footprint and long-term growth prospects.

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