Innovation

Sustainable Packaging Industries is a company that focuses on Eco-Friendly Packaging. This innovation was developed by Allison Reed who stated that after working in another packaging company, she developed an interest in sustainable products. SPI was created with the purpose of providing affordable designable packaging for all types of companies. Some of the packaging that SPI sells are packaging for soap bars, spices and teas, bath kits, essential oils and even diapers.

SPI use old cardboard boxes, newspapers, and agricultural byproducts to create their packaging. They cut the cardboard edges from the boxes and take the scraps. These scraps are added to water and blended in a giant blender. In this process only water is involved, no use of dyes, chemicals, or bleach are added. To dry the resulting product, they have two different methods, air drying or using equipment that works similar to an oven. The method they choose depends on what they are producing. Aside from packaging, they have developed inserts and personalized designs at minimal cost so that their clients can distinguish themselves from other companies.

Allison stated that one of the things that distinguishes them from other companies is that they care about all their customers, big or small companies. Allison said during the interview, “We make a solution that is available for small customers and bigger customers. A lot of small customers do not have access to this type of package due to cost.” Some of their customers did not have the money to invest in custom packaging, so SPI decided to produce a stock line that allows customers to buy in small quantities, making it more accessible, especially to small companies.

Inspiration

Sustainable Packaging Industries, an eco-friendly packaging solutions company, was founded on the principles of environmental responsibility and innovation. Allison told us the concept was born out of her experience at another packaging company in Santa Barbara, California. During her time with this company, she developed a deep appreciation for the potential of sustainable materials, particularly molded pulp packaging. She recognized the place for pulp packaging that is currently used in egg containers and paper plates. She was inspired to develop this technology for the consumer market. In our interview with Allison, she said “And I really wanted to take it and offer a unique look as well as sustainability for consumer packaging.” By combining traditional methods with innovation, Sustainable Packaging Industries was born.

Sustainable Packaging Industries was founded with the idea of expanding the packaging industry by providing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and reducing waste. The company's purpose is guided by reducing plastic waste across the planet and promoting sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. Allison says, “If it wasn't for the environmental issues with plastic, it would be fantastic, but I wanted to be able to have an alternative to plastic for consumer products.” This led to her developing unique, sustainable packaging products for consumer goods and other industries.

Overall impact

By offering low-quantity stock options with a minimum order as low as 100 units, SPI has made eco-friendly packaging accessible to smaller businesses previously hindered by high minimum orders and setup costs. This inclusivity broadens SPI’s impact across various industries, making sustainable packaging practical for more businesses. Additionally, SPI’s customization of inserts allows clients to tailor packaging to their specific needs without significant upfront costs or delays, further enhancing its appeal to diverse clients.

SPI’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its products to its operations. The company has optimized its supply chain to lower its carbon footprint by shifting from trucks to rail transport, an approach that is both cost-effective and energy-efficient. Allison noted, "Rail is just so much more freight efficient and so much lower carbon footprint." SPI is also exploring sustainable raw materials, such as agricultural byproducts like wheat stalks, which help manage waste while contributing to environmentally friendly production. The business goal to reduce carbon footprint supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action.

By making sustainable packaging more accessible, SPI promotes awareness of responsible supply chains among consumers and businesses alike. They support responsible production by utilizing byproducts of other industries to create eco-friendly products. Products like the GreenKraft Clamshells are fully recyclable and manufactured from recycled cardboard without harmful chemicals or dyes. As Allison stated, "We don't use any bleach. We do not use any chemicals," underscoring their commitment to a clean eco-friendly production process. Their minimal waste production process aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Business benefit

Sustainable Packaging Industries' innovative approach yields significant benefits for the company. By offering a stock line of products their production costs are reduced, and by utilizing recycled cardboard scraps production costs are further reduced. SPI offers products to a niche market with little competition. Their flexibility to sell to smaller businesses opens for them an entirely new market base. As their name suggests, their sustainable practices also enhance their brand reputation with eco-conscious consumers. These are all benefits of SPI’s Innovative approach to packaging. 

Social and environmental benefit

Sustainable Packaging Industries delivers notable societal and environmental benefits by providing a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging. Socially, SPI’s products make eco-friendly packaging solutions more accessible to a wide variety of businesses, especially smaller companies that previously could not afford to go green. Environmentally, SPI’s molded pulp packaging addresses issues of plastic waste, by providing a recyclable biodegradable option. The company aims to reduce its footprint in every way. It uses rail instead of trucks to reduce its carbon footprint and minimizes its waste by using cardboard scraps and agricultural byproducts. Through accessible and environmentally responsible solutions, SPI sets a benchmark for how businesses can lead in building a more sustainable future.

Interview

Allison Reed, President & Founder