If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re a part of a CPG brand that’s curious about adding a recyclable stand-up pouch or rollstock to your product offering. The rise in popularity of eco-friendly products and consumer concerns over packaging waste has led many brands, like yours, to consider shifting to more sustainable efforts.Here’s the good news: if you are currently using flexible packaging for your brand, or you are a manufacturer using roll stock, you’re already choosing an environmentally-friendly package. In fact, the production process of flexible packaging is one of the “greenest” around. 

There are numerous positive outcomes for brands that choose to embrace flexible packaging, but let’s take a moment to focus on the ways in which pouches benefit consumers. We live in an age where people crave convenience, and a lightweight, reclosable stand up pouch with an easy-open tear notch is going to be much easier to open, close, and take on the go than a hefty box, jug, or jar.Pouches offer value to the end user because they keep food fresh and increase a product’s shelf life, and they reduce slack fill, a.k.a. difference between the actual capacity of a container and the volume of its product. People want to get the most “bang for their buck,” and trust is built when brands listen to consumer feedback and adjust their products and packaging accordingly.Another key reason companies and consumers both embrace flexible retail packaging is its positive environmental impact. Much less fuel is required to transport a truckload of flexible pouches than heavy glass jars, for example, which cuts down on carbon emissions. Contrary to popular belief, pouches can also be recycled with other R-7 coded plastics. Unfortunately, not every consumer recycles, and it’s up to brands to properly communicate the importance of taking care of the environment to their customers.

While stand up pouches often use up to 12% less material when compared to traditional packaging, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to a pressing issue of recyclability. Have you ever wondered what happens to all those stand-up pouches after you’ve consumed and emptied them? With their mix of materials, recycling them isn’t as straightforward as tossing them in the bin. So, how crucial is recyclability for proper waste disposal and minimizing environmental impact?

In a word...yes.  Stand up pouches, also known as stand up bags or stand bags, are in fact recyclable.  Stand up pouches, stock and plain or printed and custom are made from multiple layers of engineered barrier film.  This barrier film is laminated and joined together.  This barrier film serves several purposes.  One it creates the barrier properties to protect the contents from any type of negative element such as moisture, vapor, odor, puncture, even UV rays if necessary.  

The FTC has very specific rules about when you can — and can’t — make claims of packaging recyclability, as well as how you should phrase those claims. These rules are concisely detailed in the FTC Green Guides, which you can read here.2025 is fast approaching, and so are the sustainable packaging goals for major retailers like Walmart and Target. And while many CPG brands have already begun the gradual, SKU-by-SKU transition to recyclable, compostable, or responsibly sourced packaging, many haven’t.With some sustainable packaging development projects taking north of 12 months, now is the time to turn your brand’s sustainability goals into action if you haven’t already. While many projects can be completed much faster, the sooner you get started, the better.

A stand up pouch made from kraft material that is laminated to other layers of film IS recyclable and landfill friendly. To be clear, kraft — once it is laminated — is NOT biodegradable, but it is recyclable. There are many good reasons why these pouches are not biodegradable, and they have to do with how well the product inside is protected.

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