Those who know us at Packstyle are well aware that environmental protection is not just a checklist item, but a value integrated into every stage of our production process. From raw materials to design and distribution, sustainability is a priority we embrace wholeheartedly, investing a significant portion of our resources into it.
This is why we have launched a significant project to redesign our materials following the principles of eco-design, aiming to ensure that all our customers meet the new European regulation approved on April 24th.
We’ve previously highlighted that flexible packaging, in itself, is a more sustainable packaging solution compared to many others: it’s lightweight, and therefore requires less energy for production, transportation, storage, and disposal, resulting in fewer carbon emissions and a smaller ecological footprint. According to a study by the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), flexible packaging can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 60% compared to rigid containers.
At Packstyle, we naturally trust the various scientific tests conducted on flexible packaging, but we also wanted to see for ourselves just how sustainable our packaging really is!
For this reason, we chose to partner with CSI, a European benchmark for material compliance testing and certification. They replicated the recycling process by introducing Packstyle’s recyclable film pouches. The complex process, which we previously described in an article on our blog (With CSI to test the recyclability of Packstyle pouches), confirmed the actual recyclability of our new films.
With CSI’s certification, we can claim to have reached an important milestone. But instead of celebrating our success, we immediately set our sights on the future. The test results made us reflect on the importance of materials and pushed us to make bold decisions aimed at continuously improving our offerings and pushing innovation beyond conventional boundaries.
The Recyclable Film
Our range of materials has recently expanded to include recyclable films in both transparent and metallized versions. This innovative material is durable and features a high barrier against gas, moisture, and light. The recyclable film gently preserves aromas, maintains product freshness, and, in addition, has an eco-friendly nature that makes it recyclable with plastic waste.
The transparent version retains its brightness while offering excellent gas and water vapor barriers, whereas the metallized version combines advanced functionality with an attractive design.
The advantages of recyclable films for packaging are numerous: this new material not only protects the contents effectively but also helps reduce pollution and waste of natural resources by decreasing the amount of waste sent to landfills. Choosing recyclable film aligns with future needs, promoting a circular economy where materials are not depleted but reused—just like the "confetti" from Packstyle pouches that, after recycling, become secondary raw materials ready to be used in various sectors such as outdoor products, accessories, or the automotive industry.
Furthermore, sustainability is an increasingly hot topic among consumers who express environmental concerns, preferring recyclable packaging. A 2023 study by Kantar highlights that 72% of global consumers often or occasionally choose products with recyclable packaging, underscoring the growing importance of sustainability in purchasing decisions Recyclable packaging is therefore not only an eco-friendly option but also an investment for the future.
Thinking About the Future
It is with the future in mind that we at Packstyle have decided to take an important step: to initiate a process to eliminate transparent multi-material film from our offerings, as its composition prevents it from being subjected to mechanical recycling processes.
This material, which we used to produce our flat pouches and doypacks, has long been a bestseller thanks to its durability and excellent color rendering in printing. However, it is a complex material composed of three different layers—BOPP, PET, and PE/EVOH/PE—that cannot be recycled together.
The transparent recyclable film was developed as an alternative to the multi-material version. Like traditional film, the recyclable film is designed to be equally durable and structured, providing the same protection and preservation capabilities, even though it consists of a single polymer: polypropylene.
We believed strongly in this material and therefore invested time and resources, and after thorough studies, research, and testing, we were able to offer our customers a lighter, yet equally protective and durable product with the added value of recyclability. The transparent recyclable film has, in fact, received an excellent rating from Interseroh+, a leading German certification body, but we at Packstyle, still not content, entrusted CSI to witness firsthand the various steps that recyclable waste undergoes. We discovered that the recyclable film pouches indeed produce plastic "confetti" ready to be melted and employed in other sectors.
Eliminating multi-material film from our catalog is a bold step, especially given that it was one of the most popular and appreciated materials among flexible packaging customers. However, we make this decision fully aware that the new transparent recyclable film offers the same high level of protection, maintaining the quality and safety of the contained product while also allowing us to continue advancing toward sustainability, fully reflecting our company values.
What further convinced us to take this step was the launch of a project to assess the environmental impact of our materials throughout their entire life cycle (LCA). Once again, we wanted to see the results firsthand, and the preliminary data leaves little doubt: the environmental footprint of multi-material film is significantly higher than that of recyclable materials.
All these scientific findings led us to a decision: gradually reduce the introduction of multi-material film packaging into the environment, with the goal of removing it from our catalog as early as next year. We feel a strong responsibility for the environment, and therefore, we have decided to offer our customers recyclable materials at the same price as traditional materials—our contribution to respecting the planet.
This decision is just the first step toward a more sustainable production model, as we are already working on designing and launching recyclable solutions with even less plastic, without compromising quality, safety, and convenience for our customers.
This is an important milestone for us, but you don’t think we’re stopping here, do you? At Packstyle, innovation is in our DNA, and the introduction of this significant change has inspired us to reflect on other sustainability aspects we can further improve. We are always ready to go beyond boundaries, with many new ideas already in the pipeline. Stay tuned!