As part of its sustainable packaging development efforts, MeadWestvaco Corp. closely examined the impact and effects of its compostable food service packaging by studying the implementation of its MWare product at its corporate headquarters in Richmond, Va. MWV followed its product from fiber sourcing to consumer end use to its deposit into a composting bin, and finally to its return to the lifecycle as organic fertilizer available to local businesses. The company produced a video to showcase the sustainability of its product and to help customers better understand the opportunities of compostable packaging.
"Discarded, disposable packaging currently accounts for over one-third of landfill waste in the U.S., and we see this as an incredible opportunity to make a positive impact by leveraging our expertise in packaging and materials," said Dobbie Newman, director of Food Service Marketing, MWV. "By showing how easily composting can be implemented we hope to inspire and educate our customers, consumers and other corporations about how a local solution can impact a global issue."
The video, called "Disposable to Sustainable," describes the lifecycle of paperboard-based packaging when composted. The video explains that these products, once destined for the landfill, now help make up organic fertilizer approved for the growing of certified organic crops or flowers, plants or trees for local farmers and businesses.
