Foodservice packaging firm Fabri-Kal (Kalamazoo, MI) is proactively "greening" its product lines at a time when many varieties of single-use plastics packaging are the target of consumer and regulatory criticism. The company recently revamped its Alur container line, thermoforming it from sheet that's 50% by weight post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Meanwhile, its Greenware line of cold drink cups, lids, and portion cups are now made with Ingeo biopolymer polylactic acid (PLA).

Fabri-Kal Alur container

Fabri-Kal says its Alur containers provide merchandisers an eco-friendly option they can promote, with 50% PCR messaging engraved on the bottom of every container, "helping merchandisers tell their customers they care about the environment" Fabri-Kal noted. The line consists of six sizes ranging from five to 32 ounces, with a common plug-fit lid seal for the five most common containers. Reclaimed post-consumer water and soda bottles are recycled for the containers that comply with FDA food-contact requirements.

Fabri-Kal reports that its Greenware line is the first made-in-the-U.S.A., 100% biobased cold-drink cups and portion cups made from Ingeo biopolymer. The company has received USDA BioPreferred program certification for the cold-drink cups, portion cups, and lids. Fabri-Kal believes that the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label will serve as a "credible and trusted" symbol for consumers to identify biobased products that have undergone a "robust third-party certification" to validate the claims.

In addition to heading off consumer criticism for not being green, Fabri-Kal is also trying to show that it's not faking green, with a No Greenwashing Pledge on its web site and a tool to help locate composting facilities.