New PCC boxed lunch made from SFI certified source materials

Earlier this year one of our paper suppliers changed ownership resulting in us having to rethink our boxed lunch.  It would have been easy enough to just have another company print the same box the same way, but we decided that it was time for a change.  Since enacting our green initiatives, we have tried to make business decisions with consideration to the environment and community.  How can we help the environment and benefit the local community with our boxed lunch.  The obvious answer is to buy a box made from eco-friendly, compostable material from a local supplier – easy right??  Not so much.  Finding a local manufacturer for paper products for this particular application – let alone eco-friendly, was not an easy search.   We did not know where to begin.   As our search fell to the backburner and our supply of boxes began to dwindle, the phone rang.  It was the Sustainable Business Network calling to help another local business to promote their new eco-friendly take out containers – are you kidding??  We have been a member of the Sustainable Business Network for a couple of years.  While we have little time to use all their services, we find the information they provide to be useful.  We also want to support and be a part of the local network of environmentally conscious businesses (http://www.sbnphiladelphia.org).  SBN introduced us to Chris Pearson of Union Packaging.

Union Packaging in Yeadon

Production line at Union Packaging

Union Packaging is great company (check them out – http://unionpkg.com/). They are a certified minority owned business that is located locally in Yeadon.   They employ a diverse workforce of 100 people and are committed to community involvement as well as sustainable business practices.  Chris came by with a large selection of the sustainable packaging and take-out containers his company offers.  Every shape and size imaginable – except the exact size we needed.  ‘No Problem’,   we will custom make it for you.   Now I am really interested.  Chris got back to us with the exact product we wanted, on SFI certified sourced materials.  SFI -Sustainable Forestry Initiative, is the world’s largest single forest certification standard, covering key values such as protection of biodiversity, species at risk and wildlife habitat; sustainable harvest levels; protection of water quality; and prompt regeneration.  Buying SFI certified products is a good idea, see for yourself – http://www.sfiprogram.org/.

PCC Box with SFI certification

Chris put everything together for us just as the last of our supplies ran out.   Best of all he provided competitive pricing making it a win all around.   The lesson here is – so much can be gained by applying green initiatives to even one small business decision.  We have a great new business partner,  Chris Pearson and Union Packaging – and we are helping the environment by providing a product made from SFI certified source materials.

Chris Pearson of Union Packaging