Luton-based Seal Packaging (Seal) has been acquired by experienced industry professionals Kevin Curran, Sally Gabbitas, and Kevin Prosser, as a vehicle to launch new ranges of innovative and sustainable packaging. With the tag-line ‘Packaging with integrity’ and a new website – Seal is aiming to help their clients achieve net zero by ensuring the sustainability of its products’ raw materials, usage, and end-of-life, to protect the environment.
Several new innovative products are currently being launched, including the Itsnotpaper bag range, a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional paper bags.
Itsnotpaper bags
Itsnotpaper bags look, feel and handle like paper, but not one tree has been chopped down to make them. They are set to revolutionise the UK and world bag markets over the next few years.
“By using renewable sources such as agri-fibres as a raw material, instead of wood, the production of Itsnotpaper bags have up to 38 per cent less carbon emissions than conventional paper bags,” says Sally Gabbitas. “They contribute to a reduction in deforestation, and the material used has so far saved more than 1 million trees.
“The agri-fibres we use to make the material for Itsnotpaper bags are abundant and renewable. By turning what would otherwise be waste into a valuable resource, we are supporting communities in India by paying farmers for something they previously burnt, causing air and land pollution.”
Itsnotpaper bags are made in the UK, and the material used to make them has been through a rigorous Life Cycle Assessment to ensure that it is sustainable, end-to-end. They can be printed just like conventional paper bags and behave in the same way, with the same flexibility and wet-strength.
“Working closely with envoPAP – the UK’s first certified B Corporation company in the paper and packaging industry – and a leading UK-based bag specialist, we are proud to have developed Itsnotpaper bags,” says Sally Gabbitas. “This is the first time in my career that I’ve been able to promote a product which is certified marine degradable! Add to that the fact that Itsnotpaper bags are 100 per cent recyclable and can be recycled in conventional paper recycling streams, and that we also have 100 per cent compostable certification, makes these innovative bags a genuine sustainable alternative to traditional paper bags.
Packaging with integrity
“Being ‘environmentally friendly’ is not entirely straightforward,” says Sally Gabbitas. “We must consider: how materials are sourced; how they are transported; what alternatives may be available; can the final product be recycled?; and can the final product be composted? But can we go further? If a product can be composted, how likely is that to happen? In theory, this may be the most environmental approach, but if the infrastructure is not available then perhaps a recyclable option is more sustainable.
“Our role is to advise and help our clients navigate the vast number of options to work together on the right packaging approach that is affordable, practical, ethical and sustainable.
“Less is very often more, and that’s why we are proud of our slogan: ‘SEAL – Packaging with integrity’.”
See Seal Packaging at the Responsible Packaging Expo
See Seal Packaging’s innovative and sustainable packaging solutions by visiting Stand 576 at the Responsible Packaging Expo at ExCel in London on 19th and 20th of October.
