What Can I Do?

Flexible plastics are one of the most efficient ways to package foods. 

  • They require very little material to create oxygen, moisture barrier, and physical protection needed to preserve food.
  • Because of its light weight and low volume, they are easy to transport when compared to other packaging types. 

Why is plastic consumption increasing?

  • It’s because they are typically single-use which means that the raw materials used to produce them will end up being trapped in a landfill when the package reaches its end-of-life cycle.

BioFlex™  is packaging that is intended to be discarded because it can increase biogas production in a modern landfill*. Biogas in turn creates clean energy.

*BioFlex™ has been shown to produce biogases 22 times faster than conventional plastic in the ideal conditions of an anaerobic digestor landfill over the course of 2.13 years, using the ASTM D5511-12 test.  When disposed of in a landfill with modern biogas capture technologies, this energy can be harnessed as a source of renewable energy. Such a facility may not exist in your area.

EDUCATION IS THE SOLUTION

BioFlex™ flexible packaging provides the same quality, shelf-life, and durability as conventional flexible packaging while also contributing to biogas production after discard in a modern landfill*.  BioFlex™ is a responsible end-of-life solution for flexible packaging.

JOURNEY TO SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS

PLASTICS
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FAQs

*BioFlex™ has been shown to produce biogases 22 times faster than conventional plastic in the ideal conditions of an anaerobic digestor landfill over the course of 2.13 years, using the ASTM D5511-12 test.  When disposed of in a landfill with modern biogas capture technologies, this energy can be harnessed as a source of renewable energy. Such a facility may not exist in your area.

Can I recycle my Flexible packaging

The many layers used in flexible packaging usually prevent the packaging from being recycled economically or efficiently. As a result, municipalities generally do not accept this type of packaging.

Check your package for a recycle symbol. You will need to check your municipality’s website to find out whether that material is recycled via curb side pick up, drop off, or not at all. 

Flexible packaging still generally offers the lowest environmental footprint for food packaging, relative to other materials. Choosing flexible packaging over rigid packaging like glass, aluminum cans, and other solid plastics can help avoid unnecessary usage of raw material as well as transportation emissions.

BioFlex™ flexible packaging can be designed in recyclable structures, and non-recyclable structures (where higher performance is required).

Plastic Recycling Chart
Polyethylene Terephthalate High-Density Polyethylene Polyvinyl Chloride Low-Density Polyethylene Polypropylene Polystyrene Other, Nylon BPA, and Polycarbonate
Uses: microwavable food trays; soft drinks, water, and beer bottles; cooking oil and salad dressing bottles; and condiment jars Uses: milk jugs; yogurt and butter tubs; household cleaner and detergent bottles; shampoo bottles; cereal liners; and grocery bags Uses: cooking oil and mouthwash bottles; clear food packaging; wire/cable insulation; shower curtains; and lawn chairs Uses: shopping, dry cleaning, bread, and frozen food bags; carpet; clothing; squeezalbe and dispensing bottles; 6-pack rings; and furniture Uses: drinking straws; ketchup bottles; medicine and syrup bottles; bottle caps; yogurt tubs; dishware; pails; and packing tape Uses: Disposable cups and plates; egg cartons; meat trays; take out containers; CD/video cases; supplement bottles; packaging peanuts; and cafeteria trays Uses: 3-5 gallon water jugs; clothing; acrylic; nylon; polylactic acid (bioplastic); fiberglass; food containers; and safety glases
Plastic Recycling Chart

Should I put it in the compost?

No, BioFlex™ is not designed to compost, and should not be put in your green bin. Modern landfill environments are anaerobic (lacking oxygen) and rich with the microorganisms that are required for BioFlex™ to increase biogas production*.

What Role do Landfills play?

Modern landfills are minimizing their impact on the environment by capturing the gases from decomposing trash. These gases, that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, are being used to generate energy, which in turn offsets fossil fuel use. The U.S. EPA endorses landfill gas as a renewable energy resource, along with wind, solar, and geothermal energy.

This is where BioFlex™ Comes In

BioFlex™ is a sustainable flexible packaging solution designed to increase biogas production in the landfill environment*. Biogas produced in landfills is used to generate energy, fueling our electric cars and homes!

BioFlex™ has been verified through standardized third-party testing including ASTM D5511 which compares a sample of BioFlex™ flexible packaging to a conventional plastic sample. These tests measure the gas produced from the samples in oxygen-lacking environments (laboratory environments simulating an idealized landfill)*.

BioFlex™ flexible packaging can be designed to maintain the barrier properties of conventional packaging to ensure the product’s shelf life is not compromised.  BioFlex™ flexible packaging is FDA compliant and safe for food contact.

Join our movement to turn today’s packaging waste into tomorrow’s clean energy*.

*BioFlex™ has been shown to produce biogases 22 times faster than conventional plastic in the ideal conditions of an anaerobic digestor landfill over the course of 2.13 years, using the ASTM D5511-12 test.  When disposed of in a landfill with modern biogas capture technologies, this energy can be harnessed as a source of renewable energy. Such a facility may not exist in your area.

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