Responsible Packaging Project Seeks Nominations

The Responsible Packaging Project is calling for nominations for its annual award program that recognizes organic and natural food industry companies for achievements in environmentally responsible packaging, including source reduction, extended producer responsibility, innovation and next life design.

The eco-friendly packaging awards program is presented by the Responsible Packaging Project, a collaboration of the Sustainable Food Trade Association, Independent Natural Foods Retailers Association, National Cooperative Grocers Association, Organic Trade Association, United Natural Foods Inc. and Whole Foods Market’s Green Mission.

“The Responsible Packaging Awards is a wonderful opportunity to recognize companies who are leaders in raising the bar on the definition, design, and implementation of responsible packaging,” said Nate Schlachter, executive director of the Sustainable Food Trade Association. “Our industry has a unique opportunity to demonstrate the social and environmental benefits of our products, which also extends to packaging choices.”

Deadline for nominations (self nominations accepted) is Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. The nomination form can be downloaded here.

Responsible Packaging Guidelines

• 1. Transparency - of content and process in determining these guidelines, and which materials and inputs are preferred.
• 2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) - a strategy designed to promote the integration of environmental and social costs associated with products throughout their life cycles into the market price of the products.
• 3. Ecological Principles - drive the definition of “what is” either recyclable as a technical nutrient in manufacturing cycles, or compostable as a biological nutrient in nature.

Previous winners include: Cocoa Metro, Lundberg Family Farms, Choice Organic Teas, Organic Essence, Eden Foods, Straus Family Creamery, Nature’s Path, Justin’s Nut Butter, Earthbound Farms, ECOvention, Numi Tea, Preserve Products, and Stonyfield Farms.

For more information visit: www.sustainablefoodtrade.org/working-groups/responsible-packaging.