{"id":23060,"date":"2024-09-20T12:49:14","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T17:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hofferplastics.com\/?p=23060"},"modified":"2025-11-03T14:14:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T20:14:06","slug":"four-ways-flexible-packaging-can-strengthen-a-circular-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hofferplastics.com\/sustainability\/four-ways-flexible-packaging-can-strengthen-a-circular-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Ways Flexible Packaging Can Strengthen a Circular Economy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\t\t\t\"circularity\n\t

Sustainability<\/a> can’t be something we just talk about in the plastics industry. Not when 87% of the public is worried about the impact of plastics on the environment, according to Accenture<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That’s why companies across the country are working to transform the traditional model of plastics production, use and disposal. Circularity ensures that every stage of a product’s life – from design to disposal – is planned to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste. Instead of the old linear approach, the developing circular economy aims to reduce, reuse and recycle our resources in a continuous loop to keep materials and products in circulation for as long as possible.<\/p>\n

Legislation in several states is elevating the urgency of these efforts. Illinois, home to Hoffer Plastics, is among those exploring a concept called extended producer responsibility (EPR). It would require brands to help build and manage the recycling systems for their products.<\/p>\n

So, how does the increasing popularity of flexible pouches fit in? Let’s look at four ways flexible packaging can become part of a circular economy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t

1) Material Innovation<\/h2>\n

Components of traditional flexible pouches often must be separated at time of disposal. Today, there are an increasing number of mono-material solutions that make recycling a lot easier for consumers – with the right infrastructure<\/em>. From the film to the cap and spout, these solutions can be recycled as one unit to avoid landfills and remain part of a circular economy.<\/p>\n

Caps and spouts are often made using polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). These are proven performers in numerous flexible packaging applications. Plus, we’ve been able to work with suppliers and customers to use resins with as much as 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material in the <\/em><\/strong>caps and spouts<\/em><\/strong><\/a> that we mold for flexible packaging.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\t

2) Design Optimization<\/h2>\n

Flexible packaging is perfect for today’s convenient grab-and-go applications. But in traditional designs and formats, these applications can create complexity when moving toward a circular economy.<\/p>\n

For a quality product that pleases consumers, the spout and cap can’t just<\/em> be recyclable. They must deliver on key performance parameters including:<\/p>\n