Earthcycle To Introduce Water-Resistant Packaging

Earthcycle founder and president Shannon Boase said the company wanted to develop a packaging formula that works well with mushrooms, considered one of the most challenging produce items at any store due to the high water content.

01 Nov 2012 --- Canadian sustainable packaging company Earthcycle is set to introduce improved water-resistant packaging, as part of its certified home compostable, recyclable and renewable products line.

The new packaging from Earthcycle can be used by retailers, growers and re-packers across North America for high-moisture produce.

Earthcycle founder and president Shannon Boase said the company wanted to develop a packaging formula that works well with mushrooms, considered one of the most challenging produce items at any store due to the high water content.

"Through extensive research we've now developed a new formula that helps maintain the strength and integrity of our packaging under high moisture environments for even longer, without compromising our environmental credibility of the packaging," Boase said.

The company claims that its packaging formula extends the produce's freshness up to ten days beyond the regular shelf life.

Earthcycle produces its compostable packaging by turning the palm fibre into a pulp, which in turn is used to form any shape or size of packaging using standard vacuum-thermoforming tools.

"The packaging provides an emotional connection to the consumer - it makes them feel good for doing their part for the environment," Boase added.

Available across the company's entire product line, the water-resistant packaging will also be used to package additional fresh produce items such as avocados, tomatoes, asparagus, peppers, broccoli, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.

Earthcycle packaging is made from recyclable, natural agricultural materials.