From the use of fossil fuels and water to the product/package ratio, the efficiency of flexible packaging is very effective in terms of the environment. Polifilm, a leading voice of the sustainable packaging movement in our country, has devoted a significant part of its resources to this issue to support the sustainability efforts of flexible packaging. Our ongoing research and initiatives enable a more understanding communication environment between consumer retailers and consumers about the environmental advantages and benefits of flexible packaging.

Sustainability Benefits of Flexible Packaging

Within the scope of sustainability, flexible packaging has many benefits and advantages that we are not aware of today. To put it briefly;

- Material and Resource Efficiency

Thanks to the use of life-cycle assessment tools and the lightness advantage of flexible packaging, more effective results can be achieved, such as generally less fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use compared to other formats.

- Benefits for Transportation

Flexible materials are usually shipped either flat or in rolls, such as paper towels enabling large numbers of packages to be sent during transportation, reducing the number of vehicles required for incoming materials compared to rigid packages.

- High Product/Package Ratio

A measure of material efficiency is how much of a product sold to the consumer is made up of product and how much by weight is packaged. Flexible packaging almost always has a higher product-to-pack ratio compared to other forms of packaging.

- Product Protection Advantage

Flexible packaging provides product protection by keeping products together to reduce spoilage. Additionally, the flexible product's content's ability to resist spills, dents, or breakage makes it attractive for shipping e-commerce sales.

- Resource Reduction

Due to its flexible packaging structure, it provides much more lightness compared to other packaging types on the market. It, therefore, provides a significant advantage in resource reduction, the top component of the US Environmental Protection Agency's Waste Hierarchy.

- Extended Shelf Life

Value-added flexible packaging for foodstuffs often includes a barrier layer that extends the shelf life of foods and reduces food waste associated with perishables. Thanks to the extended shelf life service offered within the scope of these opportunities, flexible packaging has accelerated sustainability.

Case Studies on Products

Flexible packaging structure; Case studies and field studies on the products in question have been carried out by many companies today to demonstrate how the different advantages provided in other product sectors have positive effects in terms of sustainability. Let us explain these analyzes to you with a few examples from different product groups.

Coffee

Coffee is a globally popular beverage and is packaged in a variety of forms. For this study, flexible stand-up bags, steel cans, and plastic box packaging formats were evaluated in terms of their environmental impact throughout the existential process of the product.

Engine Oils

Engine oil is traditionally packaged in rigid HDPE bottles. Recently, however, there have been instances where the engine oil is packaged in flexible stand-up bags with fittings. For this study, the use of flexible stand-up pouches with fittings and rigid HDPE bottle formats was evaluated for their environmental impact.

Baby Foods

Baby food packaging has evolved over the past decade from glass jars to thermoformed plastic tubs to flexible stand-up bags. This study evaluated the three most commonly used packaging formats: flexible stand-up pouch with connection, thermoform tub, and glass jar.

Laundry Detergent Capsules

Single-dose pods, replacing liquid or powdered detergent with pre-measured packs, have become famous for packaging laundry detergent over time. In this study, two commonly used packaging formats for capsules were evaluated for their holistic environmental impact. The packaging formats in question are a flexible stand-up pouch with a zipper and a rigid PET container.

Cat Litters

Cat litter is a necessity for all cat owners and is a heavy, moisture-sensitive product that requires a robust package with a moisture barrier. The cat litter study evaluated three standard packaging formats: a flexible stand-up bag, a cardboard barrier carton, and a rigid plastic bucket with a handle.

Juice Packs

Beverages are sold in various packaging formats according to their volume, content, use, and target audience, among many other things. Like the packaged products we use daily, beverages are heavy and require a package format that is sturdy enough to hold the volume without breaking during transport or use. The study included: a flexible beverage bag and a glass bottle shape, which many mistakenly assumed to be more sustainable.