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Sustainable Flexible Packaging Requirements: Loblaws, Sobeys, Costco, and Walmart

Dec. 31, 2024
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Sustainable Flexible Packaging Requirements 

As sustainability becomes a central focus in global retail, major grocery and retail chains are setting ambitious goals to reduce their environmental footprint through the adoption of more sustainable packaging solutions. Flexible packaging, which includes materials such as plastic films, pouches, and bags, is a significant area of concern due to its environmental impact. Companies like Loblaws, Sobeys, Costco, and Walmart are at the forefront of pushing for sustainability in packaging, with specific requirements for suppliers to meet their sustainability targets. Here’s a summary of the sustainable flexible packaging requirements set by these major retailers.

Loblaws: Sustainability Goals Focused on Circularity and Recycling

Loblaws, one of Canada’s largest grocery retailers, has committed to reducing its environmental footprint through a variety of sustainability initiatives, including packaging improvements. The company has set a target to make all of its private-label packaging recyclable or compostable by 2025. This goal includes a strong emphasis on reducing the use of non-recyclable materials in flexible packaging, particularly multi-layer plastic packaging, which is often difficult to recycle through conventional systems.

Loblaws encourages suppliers to use recyclable materials like polyethylene (PE) and other single-material options that can be easily processed in curbside recycling programs. The company is also working on eliminating unnecessary packaging and reducing the overall volume of packaging in their products. As part of its sustainability efforts, Loblaws has partnered with organizations like “The Recycling Council of Ontario” to promote better waste management practices and educate consumers on recycling. For flexible packaging suppliers, this means designing products that meet recyclability criteria, reduce plastic waste, and incorporate recycled content where possible.

Sobeys: Aiming for 100% Recyclable, Compostable, or Reusable Packaging

Sobeys, another leading Canadian grocery chain, has also set ambitious sustainability goals with a strong focus on improving packaging. The retailer aims to have 100% of its packaging, including flexible packaging, recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025. This aligns with Sobeys' broader commitment to reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy. The company has introduced measures to reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging and is focusing on transitioning to recyclable and compostable alternatives.

For flexible packaging, Sobeys encourages the use of recyclable materials such as PE and PET, which are accepted in many curbside recycling programs. The retailer is also working on simplifying packaging materials, removing unnecessary layers, and ensuring that packaging can be easily separated for recycling. Additionally, Sobeys is pushing for the use of recycled content in packaging materials, reducing the demand for virgin plastic. Suppliers are expected to meet these guidelines, ensuring that packaging innovations support the retailer's long-term sustainability targets.

Costco: Prioritizing Recycled Content and Waste Reduction

Costco’s sustainability strategy emphasizes both reducing packaging waste and increasing the use of recyclable and sustainable materials in its products. The retailer has committed to phasing out non-recyclable and multi-layered flexible packaging in favour of materials that are widely accepted in recycling programs, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Costco is working to ensure that all flexible packaging, as part of its broader packaging portfolio, is either recyclable or made from recycled materials by 2025.

The company has also focused on packaging optimization, reducing excess packaging, and minimizing the environmental impact of product packaging. Costco encourages the use of recycled content, especially in flexible packaging, as part of its effort to close the loop in the circular economy. Packaging suppliers are expected to design flexible packaging with sustainability in mind, reducing plastic waste, and meeting strict recyclability requirements. The retailer’s commitment to these standards is part of its broader effort to promote environmental stewardship and reduce its overall carbon footprint.

Walmart: Sustainable Packaging Playbook and Circular Economy Focus

Walmart, a global retail leader, has been very active in addressing the environmental impacts of packaging through its “Project Gigaton” initiative, which aims to reduce one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from its supply chain by 2030. As part of this initiative, Walmart has set clear goals to make its private-label packaging, including flexible packaging, 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. The company is particularly focused on improving the recyclability of flexible packaging and eliminating non-recyclable plastic materials that cannot be processed through standard recycling streams.

Walmart’s “Sustainable Packaging Playbook” sets clear guidelines for packaging suppliers, encouraging them to adopt materials that are recyclable or made with renewable resources. Flexible packaging made from polyethylene and other recyclable materials is strongly encouraged, as is the use of recycled content in packaging production. The retailer is also working with its suppliers to reduce packaging waste through optimization strategies, ensuring that packaging is minimal yet functional. Furthermore, Walmart advocates for better recycling infrastructure and consumer education on proper disposal methods for flexible packaging, supporting the transition toward a circular economy.

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