We appreciate Earth Day. Now celebrate with sustainability! Molded Pulp is here to stay. https://www.earthday.org/earthday/
Blog/News
Sustainability – Climate Warning
Sustainability is a buzzword that is used today with more power then ever. Please take a moment and watch the attached video.
Sustainable Engineering
2018 Sustainability Challenge
How sustainable have you been in 2018?
Answer the following questions and see how 2018 has been for you.
Answer with a Yes or No.
- Do you use biodegradable packaging products at your place of business?
- Do you recycle beverage containers?
- If you had a choice would you use pulp over plastic?
- Did you know that molded pulp can look and feel like plastic?
- Does your company or household look for ways to be more sustainable?
- Do recyclable and biodegradable packaging products make a difference when making a purchase?
- Would you like to learn more about molded pulp packaging?
If you answered Yes to four or more questions then you are an environmentally conscious citizen. If not, now worries, there’s always time to make a conscientious change in 2019. Let’s ring in the New Year with a resolution to make one positive change toward environmental responsibilities in 2019. Happy New Year! [Read more…] about 2018 Sustainability Challenge
WestPack Tradeshow 2019
Mark you calendar for the WestPack Tradeshow, February 5-7, 2019
If you are in search of packaging solutions and new ideas then this is a “must attend” event. MPE will be there at Booth 5129. Please stop by to see our newest products in pulp that showcase our advanced technology.
Move Over Foam, Pulp is Taking Over
Move over foam, pulp is taking over. There are many cities across the nation that have banned the use of foam products in order to reduce the problems that come along with them. Foam is not recyclable, it is harmful to wildlife and it does not biodegrade. Therefore, environmentally conscious people are looking for alternatives for packaging. To some, products that are wrapped with an environmental consciousness makes a purchasing difference to more and more people across our nation. Even Big Box stores want to rid of foam packaging and demand that the products they sell will be packaged with products that make sense. Take a moment to read an article based on the banning of Styrofoam. https://storyofstuff.org/blog/styrofoam-bans-are-sweeping-across-the-nation/
Packaging in Pulp
Companies across the land are compelled to switch from their current packaging, which could very well be foam, to a design and material that is sustainable. There are options for sustainability available such as corrugated, pulp and honey cell. Now the decision comes down to the appearance of the package. Corrugate packaging does the job but esthetically it is not desirable and it is time consuming to manipulate the insert into the package. Honey cell is sturdy, strong, but again, it is not very attractive. Then there is pulp. Surprisingly, pulp can be manufactured into beautiful packaging that has the ability to showcase your product in a lovely sustainable fashion. It’s the “vogue” of biodegradable packaging and with today’s technology, it can be utilized for a variety of industries.
Now What?
The choice is yours! Do you want to join this fast moving industry and create packaging to suit your needs while being sustainable, biodegradable and compostable? The choice is a phone call away. Thank you for Contacting MPE . Molded Pulp Engineering and the technology that they have allow them to stand out in the crowd. Sure, we can manufacture tableware, however, we have containers that can be frozen, are ovenable, microwavable and even ones that have a modified atmosphere barrier. Do you need a custom container for your product? Custom designs are MPE’s specialty Design Services . The time is now to join the ever-growing companies switching to sustainable solutions for their products.
Pulp Packaging
Pulp packaging is taking on a whole new role as big box stores and companies with a social awareness are looking for alternatives to packaging large items. Packaging for electronics can be labor intensive, non-recyclable and a nuisance to the consumer. Not only that, but the cartons can be very large. The search goes on for an alternative to non-recyclable packaging and a company that has the design and technological capability to make it happen.
Why Pulp Packaging?
Pulp packaging is biodegradable, sustainable and in most cases, compostable. There are so many new technologies for pulp that it makes it a great alternative to most packaging. For instance, a razor that was placed in a plastic pack could change to a pulp style pack. The pulp would be molded to fit each part that needs to be included. If it is then to be placed in a box with either printing or a label, then the package just became even more environmentally friendly. In some cases, the product may need to be viewed through a clear plastic cover. If this is the case, there are plastic covers that can be recycled. At least the pulp packaging reduces the plastic to a much lesser amount as compared to the original full plastic container. This is exactly what many companies are looking for as they increase their social responsibility. Whether it’s a large electronic device or a small retail item, pulp can take the place of plastic without breaking the bank.
Is Pulp Strong Enough?
When we think about pulp, paper is the first thought that comes to mind. How could paper be strong enough to package a retail item that weighs 25 pounds? It’s all in the molding method and the grams of pulp that are needed to produce a strong part to hold the weight. A molded pulp mold is made out of aluminum, similar to a plastic mold. Due to the improved molding technology for pulp, it is evident that you can design a package for just about any type of item. https://www.moldedpulpengineering.com/design-services/
Pulp Advanced Technology
It is just a matter of time that molded pulp technology will continue advancing allowing pulp to take on many new roles. We are already seeing pulp being used in the oven and microwave, hold hot and cold liquid and withstand freezing temperatures without getting soggy. I have seen pulp packaging for electronic desks weighing over 50 pounds as well as smart phone packaging that is so smooth you would think it was plastic. Molded pulp is all over hospitals as an alternative to plastic being used for single use kidney shaped bowls , wash basins and even glove dispensers. I have to say, I’m excited to see what will be next for molded pulp engineering. There is a great need for environmentally friendly packaging, it is now up to industries to make the switch. Please take a moment to view this National Geographic video. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=video+about+plastic+garbage&view=detail&mid=5F6D175D4B675DE2D4635F6D175D4B675DE2D463&FORM=VIRE
Sustainable Engineered Pulp Packaging
Packaging in Pulp – Keeping Your Products Safe
There are a variety of ways to package your product in pulp. When you think of molded pulp what do you think of? Perhaps you think of paper first, however, pulp can be manufactured into containers that can keep your products safe and be sustainable. First you would need to think about where the pulp is coming from. What is the pulp source? We are seeing more and more pulp products in the marketplace where it hasn’t been before. This not only is a positive environmental consciousness that has gained momentum but also a global commercial opportunity. Pulp products and packaging in pulp have gone from a single bowl at a local salad bar to becoming the source for high-end retail products. Big commercial businesses and Fortune 500 companies are steadily moving forward with their social responsibility models. It’s like a breathe of fresh air to know that products are being packaged in cellulose materials that are biodegradable, compostable and sustainable.
Pulp Fiber Sources
Pulp fibers can be derived from many different sources. It can come from corn, sugarcane, bamboo, wood, grass and other fiber crops. The cellulose fibers are separated from the source and processed into a slurry. Different pulp fibers have different tolerances and texture. Virgin fibers are stronger then recycled fibers and have a longer term for recyclability. Also, there are some crops such as bamboo that are stronger then some wood fibers and are a fast growing crop which makes it a sustainable solution for pulp.
Can Pulp be Coated?
Pulp containers are showing up in a multitude of industries. I’ve seen them at local farm markets holding fruit and vegetables in place, hotel breakfast stations, deli’s and in the retail marketplace. Pulp can be coated or laminated in order to either have color or to be able to hold up against oven temperatures, hot and cold liquid, sauces and even clinical formulas such as hydrogen peroxide or iodine. This is a type 4 pulp product, FAQ , or a pulp product that has had something added to it such as a laminate. There are an array of laminates that can be used and MPE also has proprietary coatings to apply to pulp. A type 4 product can add value because of its added tolerance. I have even heard of flower seeds being added to pulp and then the product directions asks the consumer to bury the container in their garden to produce flowers later on. A very clever idea. Although pulp can be colored, just like make-up, sometimes its natural beauty is best.
[Read more…] about Packaging in Pulp – Keeping Your Products Safe
A Recyclable Meat Tray?
What would you say if you had the option to have a recyclable meat tray as opposed to one made out of polystyrene? I know I’d say, “show me the way!”. Our local grocery stores are stocked full of foam meat trays and wrapped tightly in a clear plastic film to protect the meat and its freshness. The foam tray has served its purpose and does it well for the most part. But what happens once that meat, fish or poultry is consumed? Is that tray recyclable? A question regarding this topic about foam platters ability to be recycled was posed to Recyclebank. The full article: Because You Asked: Can I Recycle Foam Platters And Containers? I’m sure from a business stand point, the foam tray is cost effective. A foam packaging tray may cost $ .07 – $ .20 ea. where a recyclable counterpart may be pennies more. So, the question is, is it worth it?
Recyclable Options
The food industry, predominantly the meat and poultry companies have options for packaging their products if they want to make the jump into sustainability.
Molded pulp products have the personality to take the place of foam. Even though they are made out of pulp, they can be laminated with a modified atmosphere barrier to keep freshness in and oxygen out….but wait, there’s more. With the barrier, they are still recyclable and sustainable. Perhaps making a conscious effort to keep products out of landfills while making that same effort to be sustainable is an effort in the right direction. Pulp can be produced to hold meat products as well as other food items and frozen food products. If designed correctly, they can be filmed with a clear PLA and perform just like a plastic counterpart. The price of a pulp container and a plastic container are cost neutral. The main difference is that the pulp container is an environmental choice. Now it’s yours to choose.