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Sustainable Packaging: Our Partnership with Sealed Air

Millennium Packaging customers are increasingly turning to paper packaging to reach their sustainability goals – in fact, itā€™s one of our fastest growing product segments. With end consumers expecting recyclable packaging, and with packing peanuts and hard plastic inserts not meeting that demand, our clients from a variety of industries are reevaluating their packaging and turning to paper. In partnership with Sealed Air, we took a look at recent news in paper products and packaging and want to know: what sustainability goals are you setting and how do you plan to achieve them?

Paper Packaging: Good for the Environment and Positive PR

Studies have shown that consumers are more likely to recycle paper over plastic. Itā€™s a trend that continues to hold true year over year. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only 13.6% of plastics were recycled in the US in 2018. In contrast, the overall recycling rate for paper and paperboard packaging was 80.9% in that same year. Environmental activists and consumers are taking note of these trends and forward-thinking e-commerce brands are adding sustainable packaging to their list of company goals.Ā 

In 2019, Amazon announced a zero-net carbon goal by 2040 and have since implemented frustration-free packaging options, including packages shipped in their own boxes without additional shipping boxes surrounding the product. Amazon also plans to make 50% of all shipments net-zero carbon by 2030. Last year, the company launched Echo and Fire TV devices that include 100% post-consumer recycled fabrics as part of their goal to make branded products that qualify as ā€œClimate Pledge Friendly,ā€ their home-built badge for eco-friendly products.Ā 

Lā€™Oreal, one of the world’s largest cosmetic brands, is partnering with packaging company Albea to deliver the worldā€™s first carton-based cosmetic tubes. Theyā€™ve also announced that in 2025, all of their plastic packaging will be refillable, recyclable or compostable.Ā 

Food and Drink Packaging that Meets the Mark

In August of 2021, McDonaldā€™s announced that 99.6% of itā€™s paper bags, food wrappers, napkins, cup carriers and other materials it used to package meals came from recycled or certified sustainable fiber sources, up from 92% in 2019. The fast-food giant also recently announced that it plans to drastically cut the use of plastic from over 1 billion Happy Meal toys created each year by 2025.Ā 

Boxed Water, established in 2009, built their brand with recycling in mind. Their 100% recyclable water bottle is made from 92% plant based packaging, and even their caps are recyclable. The company has also planted over 1,000,000 trees as part of their sustainability goals.Ā 

With global e-commerce corporations switching to non-plastic packaging and announcing zero-net carbon goals, our team of experts is continuously researching the best quality recyclable packaging solutions. Weā€™ve partnered with Sealed Air to offer a variety of protective paper equipment and paper cushioning systems to help you meet your sustainability goals.Ā 

Sustainable Packaging from Sealed Air & Millennium PackagingĀ 

Our Packaging with Sealed AirIn 2020, Sealed Air introduced a new, comprehensive range of recyclable paper packaging that helps you reach your sustainability goals without the risk of increased shipping costs or damage. By 2040, Sealed Air plans to have zero net-carbon emissions. Ted Doney, President and CEO says, ā€œSealed Air is leading our industry in the race to zero emissions. This is not only the right thing to do, it is our purposeā€”to make the world better than we found it. Our talented people are working hard to create sustainable solutions and innovate to eliminate resource waste. We will also continue to invest in technology and collaborate with our partners and suppliers to beat this goal.ā€

Sealed Airā€™s brand paper packaging is made from 100% recycled content and manufactured in paper mills that are certified by the Sustainability Forestry Initiative, one of the fastest growing, highly trusted solution standards for products that come from the forest.Ā 

The Strength of PaperĀ 

SEALED AIR brand paper, designed to crimp and create multi-ply solutions, has stood the test of long transit with both lightweight and heavy duty shipments like mechanical parts. Not only does the paper protect the product, it does so without increased costs or damage. When used as a cushioning agent, paper provides blocking and bracing. When used for void fill, itā€™s a recyclable replacement for packaging peanuts.Ā 

Millennium Packaging and Sealed Air have partnered to deliver our customers state-of-the art paper packaging equipment. Each piece of equipment can be easily integrated into your production line and all come with Millennium Packagingā€™s continued service and parts services.Ā 

Available Paper Packaging Equipment and Products:Ā 

The SEALED AIR ProPadā„¢ produces custom length paper pads at up to 150 pads/minute. Itā€™s bottom loading design ensures fast material changeovers. The ProPadā„¢ offers four operation modes: Manual, Endless (batching), Auto Repeat (cut-and-hold) and ordered (programmable sequencing). With minimal service needed, the ProPadā„¢ is the perfect solution for paper bracing, blocking and cushioning.Ā 

Ideal for paper void-full, SEALED AIRā€™s FasFil system converts paper of different weights in manual, program length and auto-repeat modes.Ā 

  • FasFil JR is ideal for medium-volume shippers and can be mounted on the tabletop or optional floor stand. This small but powerful system can be installed in seconds and swivels for quick loading.
  • FasFil 1500 is best for small, low-fragility loads. Itā€™s small footprint and standard eclectic requirements means it can run alongside packing stations or inline fulfillment operations.Ā 
  • FasFil Jet is ideal for high-volume, inline operations with oversized voids. This system can deliver 30-inch paper at 375 feet-per minute.Ā 

For small pack stations, SEALED AIR brand paper pack solutions are fast and easy. Made from 100% sourced materials, SEALED AIR kraft paper is curbside recyclable and available in 3 different weights. Sold in individual boxes, this kraft paper can be used alone or alongside the FasFil M for automatic fill. Once the paper has been used, even the box is recyclable!Ā 



Whatā€™s your next move to recyclable packaging?Ā 

Our team of experts is ready to review your sustainable packaging goals and make recommendations for paper packaging. Contact us today or click here to download ā€œAn Essential Guide to Paper Packagingā€ by SEALED AIR.Ā 

WHY MILLENNIUM

Our team at Millennium has decades of experience in the packaging industry, and we understand the nuances of creating the best packaging solutions for any product, any business, and any industry.

We Offer Top Tier Packaging Solutions Because We Partner with the Best.