earthcycle, canada&rsquos largest sustainable packaging company, released its improved waterresistant packaging in addition to its long line of certified home compostable, recyclable and renewable products, post a year of extensive research. growers, repackers, and retailers in north america can benefit from earthcycle&rsquos new highly refined palm pulp formula of packaging for highmoisture produce, particularly mushrooms. earthcycle founder and president, shannon boase, stated that they began developing a packaging formula for produce with high water content, particularly mushrooms as they are the most challenging produce at any store due to their high levels of water content. the have developed a new formula with extensive research for maintaining the strength and integrity of their packaging in high moisture environments for long periods, with no compromise on the environmental credibility of the packaging. the new packaging formula, as per their clients, extends the freshness and integrity of produce for another 10 days, apart from the 10 days of regular shelf life. earthcycle produces its compostable packaging by turning the fiber, which is made of natural and renewable resource of palm fiber and cultivated in malaysia for producing palm oil, into a pulp. with the help of standard vacuumthermoforming tools, the pulp is used to form any shape or size of packaging. the company, operations for champ&rsquos mushrooms, is one of the first companies to use the improved water resistant packaging. the manager of this company, rick watters, said that we are extremely enthusiastic about the improved moistureresistant packaging of earthcycle as their mushrooms will remain fresh for a longer period. they are pleased with the fact that the packaging is provided with a constant message along with their organic mushrooms, and the consumer naturally knows through the appearance and feel of the material that the packaging is ecofriendly. boase further said that the packaging emotionally connects to the consumer, as it makes them feel good about playing their part for saving the environment. earthcycle&rsquos whole product line has the availability of the new waterresistant packaging. moreover, it will also be used to package fresh produce like avocados, asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, peppers, raspberries, strawberries, and tomatoes. executive vp of marketing for naturipe farms llc, which is one of the world&rsquos leading berry marketers, robert verloop, stated that organic berry sales continues to have growth opportunities with a variety of ways explored to enhance their merchandising and communication with consumers. they concentrated on understanding and addressing the core organic consumer motivation, who intend to buy natural, organic, recyclable, and sustainable products, to purchase. according to them, this core group will be demanded by earthcycle packaging due to the packaging being made from agricultural, natural, and recyclable materials, that let the consumer &ldquovote with their dollars&rdquo for additional sustainable packaging. they had to solve farm operations, harvest and logistics issues and accept the fact that they have a design to meet their demanding requirements and satisfy today&rsquos organic consumers with a more natural and organic based package. for organic blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, naturipe makes use of a distinct designed earthcycle package. he further stated that their clients understand the demand for having a package speak to the core consumers. moreover, the clients are impressed by the nostalgic and authentic farm appearance and feel of the whole design. in may 2012, at the united fresh produce annual convention, the naturipeearthcycle package won the best new packaging award. httpwww.freshplaza.comnewsdetail.aspid102080
