No matter how hard I try, my trash bin is always full by the end of the week, begging for alternatives and loudly judging me from the side yard of my house. I have moved on from the days of jumping up and down to compress the trash heap while a friend holds my hands so I don’t topple over. New ways of handling what was once strictly trash have changed, thanks to companies such as Earthbound Farm, Bolthouse Fresh Foods™, Peri & Sons Farms®, and more.
As we continue to pivot toward more recyclable materials, compostable packaging provides an alternative that is also great for the environment, as well as the soul.
Let’s take a closer look at Earthbound Farm, which was recently recognized by the Inc. 2024 Best in Business list in the sustainability category*. Earthbound Farm has developed more sustainable packaging formats, such as a new Plant Based Tray, invested in innovative farming practices such as regenerative organic and greenhouse farming, and created innovative products that are good for the Earth and consumers who want guilt-free option. The tray has been one of the items that piqued my interest immediately. Made from recycled plant-based fibers, this new tray protects the freshness of its produce while using 95 percent less plastic than the standard clamshell package. Add that it is H2R-certified recyclable with biodegradable certification in process, and you have a product hitting all the sustainability high notes.
Check out what Bolthouse Fresh Foods is also doing in this arena. The supplier received the Best Sustainable Packaging Award at the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) 2024 Global Produce & Floral Show for its innovative compostable packaging, which debuted at Meijer with 1 and 2 lb Bolthouse Fresh baby carrots**. And on the horizon? Broadening to organic products in 2025.
There are so many innovative companies making strides in this sector and peeling back the layers of possibilities, just like Peri & Sons Farms with its biodegradable, compostable, and 100-percent plastic-free Earthbags***.
The ideal here is a truly circular supply chain.
This is to say that balancing the scales between what I contribute to a more sustainable future and what I contribute to the trash can is slowly coming together, one delicious produce item at a time. 
