Success stories in SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

Our new client had never used a packaging testing laboratory before and was impressed by the information they were getting about their packaging.

After several months of testing pizza boxes for various parameters across multiple categories including Appearance, Performance, Formation, Dimensions, and Materials, the brand was informed by the Client Services Team at Clear Packaging that one of the supplier’s pizza boxes had a lower basis weight than the rest, but was still passing all performance and critical-to-quality tests.

Our client used the valuable data provided by Clear Packaging to engage in fact-based discussions with their packaging suppliers. During the review of the specifications of their most widely used pizza boxes, it was discovered that eleven out of twelve facilities were producing an “over-engineered” product. As a result, a 10% reduction in material was implemented across these facilities.

Data collected from testing the new pizza boxes confirmed that they performed well. The reduction in material enabled our client to create more sustainable packaging while also significantly reducing costs.

Clear Packaging, ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratory located in Cincinnati, OH was identified as a key partner in Walmart’s endeavor.

Up to the task, the Project team at Clear Packaging designed a detailed testing plan that was carried out with precision.  Testing was completed on thousands of mailers provided by numerous packaging suppliers over a span of 2 years.  The team at Walmart wanted a more environmentally friendly product but was not willing to sacrifice performance.  Data allowed for decisions to be made with great confidence.

Upon completion of many rounds of testing, Walmart successfully replaced plastic mailers with recyclable paper mailers in 2023.  The result was a huge reduction in plastic going to landfills and a win for Walmart to provide an effective solution for the environment.

The on-going relationship established with Clear Packaging had already proven to be valuable so the internal team embarked on utilizing the Project Team at Clear Packaging for the sustainable cup project.

The Project Team at Clear Packaging devised various testing schematics that provided a wide range of insightful data for the light-weighted cups that were being developed.

Numerous iterations ranging from 10% upwards of 35% of reduction in weight were developed.  Thorough testing completed in Clear Packaging’s ISO 17025 accredited laboratory was heavily focused on two main parameters; sidewall rigidity and sidewall compression.

In the end, with 5 Million drinks per day served in these cups, an overall reduction of 20% in weight was accomplished.  Performance testing and the data to back up the claims allowed new specifications to be delivered to manufacturers for the light-weighted cups to go into production.

Consumers as well as store employees serving drinks with these cups had an overall high rating for the new products.  The cups had the same feel, no compromise to the strength and durability, and lids fit!

The brand was able to reduce the cost of making these cups due to a 20% reduction in weight.  A win-win!

Post-consumer recycled material can differ from virgin materials in color, transparency, texture, and certainly durability.  Manufacturing processes may be disrupted as the finished products depend heavily on the quality of the recycled content.

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