Sustainable Packaging
Corrugated Boxes
- Regular slotted Container (RSC)
- Half Slotted Container (HSC)
- Full Overlap (FOL)
- Roll End Tuck Top (RETT/Mailer)
- Additional Box Styles
- Corrugated Inserts
Folding Cartons
- Straight Tuck End (STE)
- Reverse Tuck End (RTE)
- Full Seal
- Auto Bottom
- Chipboard Inserts
Pouches
- Stand Up
- Lay Flat
- Gusseted
- Retort
- Block Bottom
- Sachets
- Additional Pouch Styles
Stock Packaging Products
- Corrugated Packaging
- Shipping Boxes
- Chipboard Packaging
- Edge Protectors
- Mailers (Kraft)
- Kraft Tape
- Kraft Paper
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
Recyclable, Biodegradable, and Compostable Packaging
Biodegradable packaging is made from materials that naturally break down over time through the action of microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, without leaving harmful residues. This type of packaging is designed to decompose in the environment, helping to reduce waste in landfills and minimize pollution. Typically made from natural or plant-based materials like paper, cornstarch, or bioplastics, biodegradable packaging offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging by returning to nature without damaging the ecosystem.
As sustainability becomes a top priority for businesses and consumers alike, compostable and biodegradable packaging are now essential components of eco-friendly practices. With increasing regulations and growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, companies must adapt to greener packaging solutions to remain competitive and compliant. The shift toward sustainable packaging is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to meet modern expectations.
At Brown Packaging, we specialize in providing tailored packaging solutions that not only meet industry standards but also promote environmental responsibility. From retail compliance to government regulations, we work closely with clients to create packaging that balances performance, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring your brand stays ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Recyclable, Biodegradable, and Compostable Packaging
As sustainability becomes a top priority for businesses and consumers alike, compostable and biodegradable packaging are now essential components of eco-friendly practices. With increasing regulations and growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, companies must adapt to greener packaging solutions to remain competitive and compliant. The shift toward sustainable packaging is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to meet modern expectations.
At Brown Packaging, we specialize in providing tailored packaging solutions that not only meet industry standards but also promote environmental responsibility. From retail compliance to government regulations, we work closely with clients to create packaging that balances performance, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring your brand stays ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Our custom structural design services allow us to minimize material use without compromising protection. By optimizing the design for strength and efficiency, we help you reduce excess packaging and the environmental costs associated with waste. Smarter packaging design means a lower carbon footprint overall.
With CAPE software, we optimize pallet configurations to maximize space and load efficiency. This results in fewer trips and lower fuel usage during transportation, reducing your carbon footprint. By making the most of every pallet, we help you achieve more eco-friendly logistics.
We offer digital samples, eliminating the need for multiple physical prototypes, which reduces waste and energy use in production. By creating virtual models, we help you save resources while speeding up the design process. This eco-friendly approach helps minimize the carbon footprint of packaging development.
We focus on eco-friendly production processes that minimize waste and reduce energy consumption. By using sustainable materials and optimizing manufacturing efficiency, we help lower the carbon footprint of your packaging. This commitment to sustainable production ensures a smaller environmental impact from the start.
Our lightweight and efficient packaging solutions help reduce transportation emissions by maximizing space and minimizing weight. By designing packaging that is easy to transport, we help your business cut down on fuel consumption and overall shipping costs, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.
We design packaging with durability and reusability in mind, extending the useful life of each product. By creating packaging that can be used multiple times before disposal or recycling, we help reduce waste and conserve resources, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint.
We prioritize sourcing materials from local suppliers to reduce transportation distances and emissions. By keeping production and distribution close to home, we help cut down on the environmental impact associated with long-distance shipping. Local sourcing ensures a more sustainable and efficient supply chain.
We offer packaging made from eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable materials that reduce reliance on virgin resources. By using sustainable materials, we help decrease the carbon emissions associated with material extraction and production. This ensures that your packaging has a smaller environmental impact from the very start.
Interested In Sustainable Packaging Solutions?
Moisture resistance and dimensional stability are critical performance factors for custom inserts, especially when products are shipped or stored in variable climates. Both foam and corrugated materials react differently to humidity, temperature, and long-term environmental exposure, which can impact product fit, cushioning performance, and structural integrity. Impact of Humidity on Corrugated Inserts Corrugated fiberboard is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally absorbs and releases moisture from the surrounding air. This affects compression strength, warping, and dimensional accuracy. In high-humidity environments, standard kraft liners can lose up to 50% of their stacking strength. Coatings, wax treatments, or the use of water-resistant adhesives (meeting TAPPI T-829 standards) can improve performance. Foam Behavior in Moist Environments Closed-cell foams, such as polyethylene (PE) and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), resist water absorption and retain their shape under exposure to moisture. Open-cell foams, like polyurethane (PU), are more prone to water ingress, leading to swelling, microbial growth, and loss of cushioning capacity. For products with moisture sensitivity, designers often specify closed-cell foams or integrate vapor-barrier laminations. Dimensional Stability Under Temperature Shifts Foam inserts, particularly those with high thermal expansion coefficients, can either loosen or increase compression on the product. Testing under ASTM D4332 (conditioning) ensures the insert maintains performance across the expected temperature range. Combined Material Designs When foam and corrugated are combined in a hybrid insert, dimensional stability depends on matching materials with similar expansion and contraction profiles. Mismatched materials can cause warping or delamination over time. Selecting adhesives that remain flexible in varying humidity is critical for long-term stability. Designing for Real-World Conditions Inserts should be designed and tested to withstand the extremes of their distribution cycle — from humid seaports to dry inland warehouses. This may involve ISTA 3A/6A testing protocols combined with accelerated aging tests to simulate months of exposure within a compressed timeframe. References American Society for Testing and Materials. (2014). ASTM D4332-14: Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4332-14International Safe Transit Association. (2018). ISTA 3A Packaged-Products for Parcel Delivery System Shipment 70 kg (150 lb) or Less. https://ista.org/TAPPI. (2023). T-829 Water Resistance of Paperboard by Wax Treatment. https://www.tappi.org/content/store/shared/T829.htmlSoroka, W. (2016). Fundamentals of Packaging Technology (5th ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. Key Compliance Requirements Structural standards: Packaging must meet durability and palletization guidelines. Labeling accuracy: GS1-compliant barcodes and proper product details. Sustainability mandates: FSC certification or recyclability requirements from major retailers. Testing protocols: ISTA or ASTM performance tests to validate protection. Packaging Solutions with Brown Packaging Brown Packaging partners with companies to design packaging that meets retailer requirements. From GS1 labeling to FSC-certified materials and ISTA-tested corrugated, we help buyers reduce chargebacks and protect retail relationships. Contact us to improve your retail compliance program. References GS1. (2024). Global Standards for Packaging and Labeling. Retrieved from https://www.gs1.orgInternational Safe Transit Association (ISTA). (2023). ISTA Testing Procedures for Transport Packaging. Retrieved from https://ista.orgForest Stewardship Council (FSC). (2023). FSC Packaging Certification Guidelines. Retrieved from https://fsc.org (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Custom Inserts Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts
Sustainability in pet food packaging is not just about recyclability—it’s about reducing environmental impact across the entire lifecycle. For products with high barrier needs like dry kibble, wet food, and treats, material selection and package design must balance performance with end-of-life recovery options. Recyclable Mono-Material Films Description: Stand-up pouches made entirely from polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), eliminating the mixed-material layers that complicate recycling. Benefits: Compatible with store drop-off or curbside recycling (where accepted). Limitations: Barrier performance may be lower than multi-material laminates; suitable for short-to-medium shelf life SKUs. Example Specs: PE/PE or BOPP PE structures with EVOH for oxygen barrier. Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content Description: Incorporating recycled resin into packaging layers. Benefits: Reduces virgin resin use and carbon footprint. Limitations: PCR clarity and odor control can be challenging for food-contact layers; often used in non-contact outer layers. Compliance: Must meet FDA or EFSA standards for food contact when used in inner layers. Compostable Packaging Description: Materials that break down under industrial or home composting conditions, such as PLA films or paper-based laminates. Benefits: Diverts waste from landfill. Limitations: Limited barrier performance; industrial composting infrastructure is not widely available in all regions. Use Case: Small pet treat pouches or sample packs with short shelf life. Paper-Based Pet Food Bags Description: Multiwall paper sacks with an inner moisture barrier (e.g., PLA, PE, or EVOH-coated papers). Benefits: Renewable resource, strong branding potential. Limitations: Inner barrier layer may reduce recyclability; requires proper sealing to maintain freshness. Application: Bulk dry food and farm animal feed. Lightweighting Strategies Description: Reducing film thickness or container wall gauge without compromising barrier performance. Benefits: Less material use per unit, lower transport emissions. Techniques: Resin down-gauging, structural ribbing in rigid containers, optimized pouch dimensions. Design for Recovery Mono-Material Construction: Eliminates separation challenges at recycling facilities. Removable Labels/Windows: Improves yield in recycling streams. Standardized Resins: PET, HDPE, and LDPE have the most established recovery pathways. References ASTM International. (2018). ASTM D6400-19: Standard specification for labeling of plastics designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities. ASTM International. https://doi.org/10.1520/D6400-19Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Recycled plastics in food packaging. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/packaging-food-contact-substances-fcs/recycled-plastics-food-packagingEuropean Food Safety Authority. (2023). Safety assessment of recycled plastics for food contact use. European Food Safety Authority. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/plastics (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Categories: Corrugated Ecommerce ESD Design Display Flexible Packaging Foam Folding Carton Packaging Plastic Packaging Pouch Printing Protection Retail Rigid Box Thermoform Sustainability Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Pet Packaging Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts
Retailers place strict requirements on packaging to ensure products move efficiently through distribution centers, arrive safely, and look consistent on shelves. Non-compliance can lead to costly chargebacks, rejected shipments, and damaged retailer relationships. Buyers must design packaging that meets performance, labeling, and sustainability standards to avoid disruptions. Why Retail Compliance Matters Financial impact: Chargebacks and penalties cut into margins. Operational delays: Non-compliant packaging can hold up entire shipments. Retailer trust: Consistent compliance builds long-term partnerships. Shelf presence: Packaging that aligns with planograms avoids disruptions at store level. Key Compliance Requirements Structural standards: Packaging must meet durability and palletization guidelines. Labeling accuracy: GS1-compliant barcodes and proper product details. Sustainability mandates: FSC certification or recyclability requirements from major retailers. Testing protocols: ISTA or ASTM performance tests to validate protection. Common Causes of Non-Compliance Incorrect pallet sizes or overhang. Weak corrugated grades that collapse under stacking. Missing or unreadable barcodes. Excess packaging waste conflicting with retailer eco goals. How to Improve Retail Compliance Standardize box sizes to match retailer pallet and shelf guidelines. Validate packaging with ISTA or ASTM testing before rollout. Collaborate with suppliers who understand retailer-specific requirements. Audit packaging regularly to stay aligned with updated standards. Packaging Solutions with Brown Packaging Brown Packaging partners with companies to design packaging that meets retailer requirements. From GS1 labeling to FSC-certified materials and ISTA-tested corrugated, we help buyers reduce chargebacks and protect retail relationships. Contact us to improve your retail compliance program. References GS1. (2024). Global Standards for Packaging and Labeling. Retrieved from https://www.gs1.orgInternational Safe Transit Association (ISTA). (2023). ISTA Testing Procedures for Transport Packaging. Retrieved from https://ista.orgForest Stewardship Council (FSC). (2023). FSC Packaging Certification Guidelines. Retrieved from https://fsc.org (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Categories: Corrugated Ecommerce ESD Design Display Flexible Packaging Foam Folding Carton Packaging Plastic Packaging Pouch Printing Protection Retail Rigid Box Thermoform Sustainability Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Retail Packaging Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts