Milwaukee-area Company Introduces Packaging that is Safe for Food and the Planet

As more people become committed to green initiatives, recycling no longer  seems environmentally responsible enough. Today’s most conscientious consumers want packaging that is derived from renewable sources.

To meet this demand, Precision Color Graphics (PCG), located in Franklin, Wisconsin is the first in the nation to introduce a line of pet-food packaging that does not use petrochemicals. These bags have a paper exterior and biopolymer film lining made from corn.

“Our Ecoterah brand of patent-pending bags will start appearing on store shelves within the next few weeks,” says John Goeden, PCG president. “We’re very excited to be the first to introduce compostable, earth-friendly pet food packaging to the market.”
Tuffy’s® Pet Foods, Inc. is PCG’s first customer to use Ecoterah packaging. This
Minnesota-based company has been manufacturing several brands of dog and cat foods for 45 years. Tuffy’s chose Ecoterah packaging for its line of Natural Planet Organics™ dog foods.

“We felt this packaging was the right thing to do for the environment,” says Jim Farrell,
sales and marketing manager at Tuffy’s Pet Foods. “But we also expect it will help boost sales. Customers who want organically grown dog food are the same type of customer who are attracted to earth-friendly packaging.”

Environmentally friendly, politically correct
The US Department of Agriculture has encouraged manufacturers to increase their usage of annually renewable resources, such as corn, wood and other agricultural products to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. These products use photosynthesis to convert energy from the sun into carbon chains, which can then be processed into compostable plastics and paper.

To produce Ecoterah packaging, PCG uses Earth First® PLA (Polylactic acid) Film, an
earth-friendly alternative to petrochemical-based films. This clear, compostable lining is a carbon-neutral biopolymer manufactured under the resin trade name of Ingeo™. Because PLA is FDA-compliant for food contact, Ecoterah packaging offers consumer and pet food manufacturers many benefits:

• By offering a better barrier than traditional plastic liners, it keeps foods fresh
longer.
• Because it does not contain petrochemicals, it is safe for recycling, composting
and landfills.
• EarthFirst® PLA Film consumes less energy during production, resulting in less
greenhouse emissions.
• Because it is grown, processed and produced domestically, PCG has more control
over the supply chain.

A natural growth industry
Despite the downturn in the economy, studies show that consumers remain strongly
interested in sustainable products. According to a Harris Interactive Poll conducted in
April 2010, more than two thirds of American adults view themselves as buyers of green products, and 25 percent have increased their green purchasing. Furthermore, nearly half of all consumers associate green products with high quality, based on a Mintel International Group research presentation from July 2010.
“I tell my customers that they won’t have to sacrifice on their design or printing to use
environmentally friendly packaging,” Goeden adds. Ecoterah products are suitable for
various printing processes and inks, including soy-based inks.
Goeden encourages customers to showcase their dedication to the environment with their packaging and POP displays. “Consumers who are committed to green initiatives actively look for businesses that share their values. By providing this information, you help boost your reputation – and your bottom line.”

About Precision Graphics
Precision Color Graphics Ltd. is a pioneer in quality services and products for pre-press, printing and packaging needs. They help packaging customers design graphics, set copy, and assure printability by taking into account the product’s specific needs.
Ecoterah products are produced by Precision Color Graphics, 9640 S. Oakwood Park Dr. Franklin, Wisc, 53132. For additional information, please contact Dan Brulz, Vice
President of Packaging at (414) 209-0808.
EarthFirst® is a registered trademark of Plastic Suppliers, Inc. Ingeo is a trademark of
NatureWorks LLC in the USA and other countries.

Source: http://www.plasticsuppliers.com