Leading the Way in Plastic Reduction: How Brands Can Make an Impact Beyond Final Packaging
In today’s market, brands are under growing pressure to demonstrate their commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. One of the most visible ways companies are addressing sustainability is by reducing plastics in their final product packaging. Walking down any grocery aisle, you’ll see bold messages of change: “Made with 50% less plastic,” or “100% recyclable materials.” These efforts are commendable and crucial for the future of our planet. But it begs the question—what about plastic use before the final packaging stage?
Plastics are woven into the fabric of production, testing, and distribution processes, especially in industries like food and beverage manufacturing. From raw material sampling to quality assurance testing, plastics are everywhere. To truly lead the charge in sustainability, businesses need to dig deeper into their processes and evaluate how they can reduce plastic at every stage—including the production phase.
A Hidden Opportunity for Plastic Reduction: Sample Collection
Sample collection is a key step in ensuring product quality, safety, and compliance. Traditionally, rigid plastic bottles have been the go-to solution for collecting and transporting samples of liquids, solids, and powders. However, as companies strive to meet ambitious ESG goals, the conversation is shifting. Forward-thinking brands are discovering that switching to Whirl-Pak® sterilized sample collection bags is an effective, yet often overlooked, way to reduce plastic usage significantly during the production phase.
Why Leading Brands are Switching to Whirl-Pak Bags
Whirl-Pak bags offer a simple yet powerful solution to help companies reduce their environmental impact while maintaining (or even enhancing) operational efficiency. Here’s how they can help your company meet its ESG goals:
1. 10x Less Plastic Than Bottles
Whirl-Pak bags use up to 90% less plastic than traditional rigid bottles, making them an excellent alternative for companies focused on reducing their reliance on plastics. This significant reduction in material use aligns perfectly with sustainability goals while maintaining the quality and reliability needed for accurate sampling.
2. Smaller Footprint in Storage and Waste
Switching from bottles to Whirl-Pak bags dramatically reduces the footprint required for storage. Because the bags are flat and flexible, they take up 95% less space compared to bulky bottles. This means less room needed for storage, less waste generated after use, and ultimately, a more efficient process.
3. Sustainability in Transportation
Shipping rigid bottles is inefficient. Their bulk leads to higher transportation emissions, adding to a company’s carbon footprint. Whirl-Pak bags, on the other hand, are lightweight and compact, requiring significantly less space during transport. This helps reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, allowing your company to contribute to a cleaner, greener supply chain.
4. Ease of Use for Sample Collection Technicians
While leadership and decision-makers are focused on the big picture, it’s also important to consider the day-to-day experience of the teams on the ground. Whirl-Pak bags are user-friendly, lightweight, and durable. They can handle liquids, powders, and solids with ease and come pre-sterilized for added convenience. Technicians will appreciate the simplicity of using Whirl-Pak bags, ensuring buy-in at all levels of the organization.
Be a Leader in Production-Phase Sustainability
Reducing plastic in final packaging is just the beginning. Leading brands are setting themselves apart by addressing plastic usage throughout their entire production process. By making the switch from rigid bottles to Whirl-Pak sample collection bags, your company can reduce plastic usage, optimize storage and transportation, and lower greenhouse gas emissions—all while maintaining the highest standards for quality and safety.
Are you ready to lead the change?
Learn More and Take Action
If your company is focused on food packaging and committed to plastic reduction, consider extending that focus to your production phase. Discover how Whirl-Pak can help you achieve your sustainability goals.
- Learn more about smarter sustainability: https://www.whirl-pak.com/smarter-sustainability/
- Request free samples to get started today: https://www.whirl-pak.com/request-a-sample/
Together, we can build a more sustainable future—one step at a time.