sustainable packaging options
Recyclable PE-PE Films
Our 100% Polyethylene (PE) films are fully recyclable and are customizable to include high-barrier structures, providing optimal product protection. Similar to standard pouch constructions, our recyclable high-barrier films are oxygen and water vapor resistant and feature photo-quality graphics. Our recyclable films are Store Drop-off compliant.
Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Films
Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) films are another environmentally friendly packaging option. After recyclable packaging (ex: milk cartons or water bottles) have fulfilled their life cycle, they are diverted from landfills and converted into other commodities, such as new packaging material. The new packaging uses ~28% less virgin polymer, since it’s replaced by PCR resins. By using PCR films in our packaging, we are able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by ~15.25%.*
*Source: https://how2recycle.info/calculator
All of our sustainable packaging is FDA compliant for direct food contact.
eco-friendly solutions
sustainable printing + Inks
Our HP digital printers consume less energy and emit fewer greenhouse gases than traditional printers. Our polymer-based inks are compostable and do not contain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
solventless lamination
ePac’s quick-drying and environmentally friendly lamination process keeps Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) out of Consumer Packaged Goods.
recyclable + pcr zippers
Our press-to-close zippers are made from recyclable plastic so there is no need to deconstruct this portion of packaging in order to make it Store-Drop off compliant. We also offer post-consumer recycled (PCR) child-resistant zippers.
recycling labels
Our dual-layer recyclable films meet the requirements for the How2Recycle “Store Drop-Off” program. Alternatively, the combination of the #2 Resin ID code and generic store drop-off symbol can be used to show consumers how to recycle your packaging.
reduce waste + excess inventory
One of the many benefits of our digital printing platform is that it makes it possible for us to print to demand, without the cost or waste associated with conventional printing plates.
Our customers have the freedom to make last-minute changes to text, images, and graphics on their packaging, run unique designs on multiple SKUs and commit to low minimum orders. By doing so, they drastically reduce their packaging obsolescence due to outdated or excess inventory.
Our digital printing, paired with sustainable films, allows brands to offer their consumers a more eco-friendly flexible package.
Click here to learn more about the sustainability of digital printing.
“It took a long time to find a good vendor with low minimum orders and a good price point. I only wish I would have found [ePac] sooner. I wouldn’t have nearly as many pouches as I have right now, and I’d have more cash in the bank.”
— Andrew Dunbar
owner, Kakosi Chocolate Company
high-quality sustainable packaging
Fulfill your sustainability initiatives without sacrificing quality. Your packaging can still shine while performing at a high-level, leaving your customers happy that they’re investing in a brand that’s committed to bettering the world. Features available include:
- High-barrier films
- Photo-quality images
- Glossy or matte finishes
- Transparent + clouded windows
- Puncture and tear-resistant
- Press-to-close zippers
sustainable packaging faqs
What makes our sustainable packaging different?
ePac offers a variety of digitally printed, custom sustainable packaging options for brands for all sizes. Whether you’re looking for recyclable packaging or Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) packaging, we’re here to help your brand fulfill your sustainability goals and lessen your carbon footprint.
What are some pouch options?
The majority of our recyclable, post-consumer recyclable (PCR) and compostable packaging is customizable to include any of the following:
- High vapor barriers that block moisture, oxygen, and aroma from entering or exiting the package
- Different hang hole options
- Round
- Sombrero
- Transparent or clouded windows
- Glossy or matte finishes
- Puncture and tear-resistant
- Tear notches
- Closures including:
- Press-to-close zippers
- Certified Child-Resistant zippers (pouch is recyclable)
- Available in a wide range of sizes
- Pouch bottom / gusset options including DOY Seal, K-Seal, Plow Bottom, 3 side Seal (3SS).
We strive to provide solutions for each person. For custom requests, please contact our team here or by calling us at 844-623-8603.
What types of film structures does ePac offer?
Our recyclable films are made from 100% Polyethylene (PE) and come in high-barrier film options to protect your product from environmental factors and retain product quality. You can add the How2Recycle logo, or combination of the #2 Resin Identification Code (ASTMD7611) for HDPE recycling streams and a generic Store Drop-off symbol on your packaging to educate consumers on how to recycle your package.
In our post-consumer recyclable (PCR) films, 25-30% of each film layer is comprised of PCR content :
- PET print web – 30% PCR
- metPET barrier layer – 30% PCR
- LLDPE sealant web – from 25% PCR
The materials used to create this film came from a previously created, used and recycled product.
All of our films are FDA-compliant for direct food contact.
Do your sustainable films perform as well as your regular films?
Absolutely. Our recyclable films come in high-barrier options, just like our non-recyclable films. Prior to releasing new products and capabilities, all of our films and final products undergo rigorous testing internally at our manufacturing plants and externally with our customers’ production process/machinery.
Can you assist me with labeling my packaging correctly?
Of course. We can use the #2 Resin ID Code alongside a generic store drop-off logo, or if you have enrolled in the How2Recycle program, we can use the logo they’ve provided.
Are your recyclable films store drop-off only?
Since recycling programs vary greatly from state to state and within each municipality, store-drop off is the most reliable method at this time. You can find a drop-off location nearby to ensure that your items will be directed to the right place.
What are the pouch dimensions?
We can create custom-sized lay-flat and stand up pouches, as well as roll stock for your brand. Additionally, we can provide you with our standard sized products if you’re unsure of where to begin.
Additional Resources
How to Fill Stand Up Pouches
Key Takeaways: Introduction Knowing how to fill stand up pouches well is what turns great packaging into a great product on the shelf. Your artwork can be flawless and your film premium, yet the pouch can still fail at the fill-and-seal stage. That final step is where freshness, shelf life, and customer trust are won […]
No Notch. No Score. Just One Clean Tear: Introducing ePac’s EZ Tear Stick Pack Film
ePac’s EZ Tear Stick Pack film was engineered to remove the need for tear notches, scores, and scissors entirely. Here’s why brand owners, product founders, and co-packers are choosing it for powders, electrolytes, coffee sweeteners, broths, and more. The Problem With Most Stick Packs If you’ve ever watched a customer struggle to open a single-serve […]
Hear the Click, Feel the Freshness: Why Your Brand Needs the EasyLock Zipper
In the world of flexible packaging, the “moment of truth” happens in the customer’s kitchen. While high-quality digital printing grabs their attention on the shelf, the functional experience at home determines if they’ll buy your product again. At ePac, we make flexible packaging simple, and that includes offering the latest in closure technology: the EasyLock […]
Small Business Packaging Quotes: Affordable Minimums and Standard Sizes
Getting small business packaging quotes used to mean committing to thousands of units before you’d printed a single bag. We changed that. You can now order as few as 100 custom-printed pouches through our online shop.
How to Fill Stand Up Pouches
Key Takeaways: Introduction Knowing how to fill stand up pouches well is what turns great packaging into a great product on the shelf. Your artwork can be flawless and your film premium, yet the pouch can still fail at the fill-and-seal stage. That final step is where freshness, shelf life, and customer trust are won […]
ePac Flexible Packaging Scaling Up: New Phoenix Site and Expanded Capacity Across North America
Strategic expansion includes a new site and increased capacity and new technology in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Vancouver to meet rising demand. DEL MAR, CA, UNITED STATES, February 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — ePac Flexible Packaging, the industry leader in custom digital flexible packaging, today announced a significant expansion of its North American manufacturing network. The company […]
HP and ePac sign $50m strategic deal
HP has signed a $50m (£36.5m) commercial agreement with flexible packaging producer ePac Holdings, including the installation of more than 10 HP Indigo 200k digital presses across ePac operations. Building on a longstanding partnership between the two companies, the three-year agreement, signed last week, includes approximately $20m on press installations and an additional $30m in […]
How to Forecast Inventory Demand: Stay Stocked, Not Stuck
For a growing brand, inventory demand forecasting isn’t just a spreadsheet task—it’s your roadmap to profitability and customer loyalty. Whether you sell artisanal coffee, nutritional supplements, or gourmet granola, having the right amount of product at the right time is the key to a healthy operation. The stakes are high: Inventory forecasting is the process […]
From Clamshells to Scale: How Top Seedz and ePac Teamed Up to Handle Explosive Growth
When Top Seedz first launched, the mission was simple: make nutritious, seed-forward crackers that actually tasted good. In their first year, the team celebrated a milestone of producing 16,000 boxes of crackers. They packed them into clear plastic clamshell containers, a standard, affordable choice for a young brand testing the waters. But as healthy snackers […]
30 Years of Character, Scaled: How Colectivo Coffee Partnered with ePac for Modern Packaging Efficiency
Colectivo Coffee Roasters did not start in a boardroom. It began in a Walker’s Point warehouse in 1993, where the founders bonded over vinyl records and a vintage Probat roaster. Over the last 30 years, the brand has grown from a single kiosk to a staple of the specialty coffee movement across Milwaukee, Madison, and […]
P.S. I Love You: Baking Comfort into Every Bite
For the founder of P.S. I Love You, baking has always been a language of care. But the inspiration for her brand didn’t just come from the kitchen—it came from a journey of healing. Following her battle with breast cancer, she sought to bring a sense of comfort and connection back into daily life. A […]
A Love Letter on the Shelf: Tozi Superfoods and the Packaging that Elevated Heritage
For Rocío León, co-founder of Tozi Superfoods, the brand is a deeply personal love letter. Growing up between the U.S. and her family’s six-generation ranch in Jalisco, Mexico, Rocío realized she couldn’t find corn tortillas in America that tasted authentic and made her feel good. Her solution was Tozi, a Mexican woman-owned brand named after […]