EMERALD PACKAGING JOINS US FLEXIBLE FILM INITIATIVE

 

Emerald Packaging, the largest supplier of retail flexible packaging for the produce industry in the United States, has officially announced its membership in the US Flexible Film Initiative (USFFI).

 

USFFI is a nonprofit organization established to develop a scalable and sustainable circular system for recycling flexible plastic packaging in the United States. Emerald Packaging is the first associate member and the first flexible packaging manufacturer to join the initiative, marking a significant milestone in the industry’s efforts to address long-standing challenges in flexible plastic recycling.

 

USFFI comprises leading global consumer goods companies, including Mars, PepsiCo, Nestlé, General Mills, Mondelēz, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The coalition aims to overcome recycling barriers by providing financial support to material recovery facilities (MRFs) and recyclers, helping to close the economic gap associated with processing post-consumer flexible plastic materials.

 

The mission of USFFI is to scale recycling systems nationwide and establish stable, reliable end markets for flexible plastic packaging materials. This effort is particularly critical as California implements its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework under SB 54, which mandates that all single-use packaging and plastic food service ware must be 100% recyclable or compostable by 2032.

 

Mr. Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Emerald Packaging, stated, “Joining USFFI aligns with Emerald’s belief that a circular economy is achievable when recyclers are able to sell recovered materials at a profit. Flexible packaging has long been the missing piece in the U.S. recycling system.”

 

As the largest produce packaging manufacturer in the United States, Emerald Packaging continues to advance its sustainability strategy through pioneering the use of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials in food packaging, actively developing compostable packaging solutions, and achieving Green Business certification. These efforts underscore the company’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship while shaping the next generation of sustainable packaging solutions.