Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
As the world faces an escalating plastic waste crisis, with mountains of discarded material polluting lands and seas, industries around the globe grapple with an urgent call to action. The packaging industry, in particular, has found itself at the crossroads of a profound dilemma.
On the one hand, it’s often criticized for contributing to the surge of plastic waste that chokes the planet, a grim reminder of unchecked consumerism. Packaging is essential for preserving and presenting goods, but it has often been produced without regard to its environmental toll.
On the other hand, the industry is also uniquely positioned to transform this crisis into an opportunity for innovation. The same factories and design principles that once churned out single-use plastics are now potential hubs for pioneering sustainable alternatives.
One company that has become synonymous with this broad industry shift, reflecting a deep change in perception and action, is Fastik, a leading North American packaging company.
The journey from manufacturing traditional plastic containers to developing compostable packaging materials is representative of the industry’s larger evolution. For Fastik, this hasn’t been a simple pivot. It has required investment in research, a willingness to take risks, and a fundamental shift in corporate values.
Yet, it also offers a vision of what the packaging sector could look like in a more sustainable future, driven not just by profit but by an awareness of its environmental responsibilities.
“Consumers are seeking alternatives to plastic due to climate change concerns, and many retailers have rightly embraced this sustainability drive, pushing for recyclable or compostable packaging,” Brad Malchuk, the creative mind leading Fastik’s eco-friendly mission, states.
As consumers rally for environmentally-friendly alternatives, Fastik has been heavily investing time and resources into materials science to develop future-generation packaging that could replace traditional plastic bags, containers, and other widely used products.
Steering the ship toward greener practices, Malchuk and his team have created a number of revolutionary packaging solutions. One of the earliest testaments to their commitment is the resealable film that cuts plastic usage by a staggering 70% in fruit and vegetable packaging, replacing its hard lid counterpart. The product perfectly demonstrates how innovative design can both meet customer needs and align with sustainability goals.
Yet, a field that Fastik particularly excels at, promising a seismic shift in the packaging industry, is bioplastics, a material derived from renewable plastic-based sources. Despite the challenges of higher costs, Malchuk believes bioplastics holds immense potential. In fact, with over ten years of experience with bioplastics, Malchuk has put Fastik on the map as one of the first compostable packaging manufacturers in North America.
Reflecting on further uses of bioplastics, Malchuk says, “Developing papers with barrier properties for frozen food packaging is just one aspect. We can also utilize them for tea packaging and other applications.”
But, this is a significant undertaking, and Malchuk highlights the need for multiple companies to join the movement. Despite its potential to completely transform the packaging industry, bioplastics still has yet to see widespread adoption due to technical and performance issues.
“The technology hasn’t caught up and reached a viable pricing point yet,” Malchuk remarks. “As entrepreneurs, we continually strive to advance our knowledge, invest in research and development, and build cutting-edge labs equipped with modern testing equipment. But, even at Fastik, we can’t do it alone. This is why I believe manufacturers must join forces and resources to create better, more sustainable solutions.”
As Fastik looks toward the future, it has become evident that their dedicated response to the global plastic waste crisis is more than just a company strategy. It’s a reflection of their role as an industry pioneer, balancing the intricacies of consumer needs, sustainability, technological and material innovation.
Malchuk himself views the future with a blend of realism and optimism. As he puts it, “The journey to develop sustainable packaging will continue over the next decade. We anticipate better collection and recycling systems for compostable packaging, and we are committed to leading this change.”
