Gap Inc. and Burt's Bees Go "Un-Plastic" With Sustainable Packaging

Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks? Monadnock Paper Mills exemplifies the transformative mind-set of brands willing to change their process to ensure performance with conscience.

The oldest continuously operating paper mill in the U.S., founded in 1819 and based in Bennington, NH, Monadnock this week launched a suite of fiber-based solutions for eco-savvy brand owners made with high-quality alternatives to plastics, Envi Portfolio.

Its sustainability-seeking packaging clients include Gap Inc. and Burt's Bees, which commented:

“Gap Inc. is committed to making sustainable choices that work for our customers and for the environment. Monadnock’s Envi Portfolio of environmentally-friendly, recycled paper and gift card products allow us to bring this effort to our stores.” — Jorge Perez-Olmo, Senior Marketing Manager

“Monadnock helps brands like ours continue to make more sustainable packaging choices without sacrificing performance, beauty or budget.” — Julie Colón, Brand Design Manager, Burt's Bees

Monadnock uses renewable, responsibly sourced FSC Certified fiber and post-consumer waste in a manufacturing process that is chlorine free, 100% green electrical energy, carbon neutral, under an ISO 14001 independently verified, audited, and certified Environmental Management System.

Brandchannel spoke with David Lunati, VP Marketing and Business Development, about Monadnock’s commitment to environmental stewardship:

How long will it take for a full embrace of materials like Envi Portfolio's?

We wish the answer was “within the next 2 weeks,” but the reality is likely less expeditious. What we can tell you is that brands are increasingly understanding that sustainability is, according to numerous reports, inexorably tied to increased revenues, and that delaying the conversion away from materials like plastics is akin to leaving money on the table or something dangerous within your child’s reach – eventually there’s a price to pay.

What are the cost implications compared to less-sustainable products, both in manufacturing, purchase, and disposal?

We take a systems approach to the total cost associated with our products throughout their life cycle – and ultimately we all know that it boils down to performance, aesthetics, economics and the environment – superior benefits and value in comparison with plastic alternatives in use today.

In the Envi Portfolio we believe we have addressed all four of these factors in a Holy Grail kind of way – where brandowners don’t have to compromise on any one in choosing to support the environment – dispelling long held perceptions that sustainable options available today are lower in quality or higher in cost.

Monadnock describes the Envi product line:

Card Stock—100% renewable, recyclable wood fiber alternative to PVC and PLA often used in gift, loyalty, promotional and membership cards. Wet Strength Label—100% post-consumer recycled fiber (PCW) labels that withstand the rigors from high-speed application lines straight through to the ice bucket.

Tag/Ticket—100% PCW fiber to meet the need for environmentally friendly tags, tickets and on-garment identification.

Durable Tag—Made with renewable and PCW fiber, ideal for high-moisture, weather-resistant applications such as horticultural tags and exterior POP signage.

Folding Box—Up to 100% PCW, high-caliper folding boxboard for environmentally friendly packaging.

Shopping Bag—Up to 100% PCW stocks for growing state and local directives legislating the use of plastic shopping/carrier bags.

Wallgraphics —Made with renewable and PCW fiber, substrates to replace vinyl graphics for walls, windows and other rigid surfaces in the home and commercial environments.

We asked Lunati about brands that are leading the way. “Companies like Gap Inc., Burt’s Bees, Long Trail, and many others understand this, and with the Envi Portfolio, brandowners can have it all: beauty, performance, price and eco-friendliness.”

“There are lots of companies that play in our space in a vast array of different areas, from plastic manufacturers to other fiber based, paper making suppliers," he added. "These are, for the most part, apples to oranges comparisons, since, we take a systems approach with our products and services. Our Envi Portfolio of products stands up to virtually any other top shelf product on the market along this decision making criteria.”

It’s a good example of new thinking from the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the country – and a boon for the environment. Find out more in its infographic on green packaging for brand managers.