USA – Sustainable packaging provider Sonoco has announced that its high barrier paper-based structure, EnviroFlex® Paper Ultimate (ULT) 1.0, has received How2Recycle® pre-qualification after meeting all requirements of the Fibre Box Association’s Voluntary Standard for Repulping and Recycling.

This pre-qualification comes as a result of Sonoco’s ongoing efforts to develop innovative, sustainable packaging solutions.

How2Recycle is the first standardized label system that allows companies to accurately track and measure the recyclability of packaging.

The on-pack labeling was created to provide consistent and transparent recycling information for US and Canadian consumers.

EnviroFlex Paper ULT 1.0 is a superior oxygen, moisture, and grease barrier packaging solution available in various formats, including rollstock, heat/cold seal, sachets, and pre-made pouches.

The packaging solution provides exceptional protection and preservation for perishable items, such as baked goods, confections, pet treats, salty snacks and powdered beverages, while being curbside recyclable.

Sonoco understands the importance of providing safe and non-toxic materials in convenient formats. Therefore, the company has gone above and beyond to develop EnviroFlex Paper ULT 1.0 and a host of other paper-based structures without the use of chemicals of concern, such as PFAS and PVDC.

Elizabeth Rhue, Sonoco Global Environmental, Sustainability, and Technical Services Vice President said: “At the heart of our success is our talented R&D team and cross-supply chain collaboration, which has enabled us to develop and bring a portfolio of paper solutions to market that is both sustainable and effective.

“Through our advanced technology scouting program and development of internal testing, our team has worked tirelessly to create products that meet the demands of today’s environmentally conscious consumers without sacrificing quality or functionality.”

According to Sonoco, EnviroFlex Paper can make a real difference in reducing waste and promoting responsible packaging practices.

With the How2Recycle pre-qualification, this product will continue expanding Sonoco’s reach and provide access to circular and innovative packaging solutions.

This comes barely a month after the company permanently closed its Hutchinson Paper Mill, laying off 116 employees.

The Hutchinson facility has been in operation for more than a century. It opened in 1909 and had been through several owners before Sonoco purchased the plant from Republic Paperboard Co. in 2001.

The mill consumed about 320 tonnes of mixed paper and old corrugated containers per day and produced about 295 tonnes per day of finished products.

Commenting on the closure, Hutchinson Chamber CEO Debra Teufel said: “Sonoco has been a long-time employer in the Hutchinson community for over a century, so these jobs were engrained in the DNA of our community.

“One of the things that we immediately went to work doing was making sure that we had a way to reach out to the job seekers.”

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