--- title: Packaging Sustainability | Foam Industries description: When it comes to sustainability, we’re shredding it. That’s why we want to educate the public about the sustainable power of foam packaging. --- - [About Us](https://www.foam-industries.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.foam-industries.com/careers) - [Sustainability](https://www.foam-industries.com/sustainability) - [Contact Us](https://www.foam-industries.com/contact-us) - [763.503.9265](tel:7635039265) [![logo](https://www.foam-industries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=250&height=112&name=logo.png) ![logo](https://www.foam-industries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=250&height=112&name=logo.png)](https://www.foam-industries.com) [![logo](https://www.foam-industries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=250&height=112&name=logo.png)](https://www.foam-industries.com) - Materials - [Polyethylene (PE) Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/polyethylene-pe-foam) - [Polyurethane (PU) Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/polyurethane-pu-foam) - [XLPE Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/xlpe-foam) - [Other Foams](https://www.foam-industries.com/other-foams) - [Plastics](https://www.foam-industries.com/plastic-fabrication) - [Wood](https://www.foam-industries.com/wood-fabrication) - [Capabilities](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) - Industries - [Industrial](https://www.foam-industries.com/industrial) - [Medical](https://www.foam-industries.com/medical) - [Automotive](https://www.foam-industries.com/automotive) - [Aerospace & Military](https://www.foam-industries.com/aerospace-military) - [Branding & Marketing](https://www.foam-industries.com/branding-and-marketing) - [Fixtures & Displays](https://www.foam-industries.com/fixtures-and-displays) - [Success Stories](https://www.foam-industries.com/success-stories) - Resources - [Technical Documents](https://www.foam-industries.com/technical-documents) - [Gallery](https://www.foam-industries.com/gallery) - [News](https://www.foam-industries.com/news) - [About Us](https://www.foam-industries.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.foam-industries.com/careers) - [Sustainability](https://www.foam-industries.com/sustainability) - [Contact Us](https://www.foam-industries.com/contact-us) - [763.503.9265](tel:7635039265) - Materials - [Polyethylene (PE) Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/polyethylene-pe-foam) - [Polyurethane (PU) Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/polyurethane-pu-foam) - [XLPE Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/xlpe-foam) - [Other Foams](https://www.foam-industries.com/other-foams) - [Plastics](https://www.foam-industries.com/plastic-fabrication) - [Wood](https://www.foam-industries.com/wood-fabrication) - [Capabilities](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) - Industries - [Industrial](https://www.foam-industries.com/industrial) - [Medical](https://www.foam-industries.com/medical) - [Automotive](https://www.foam-industries.com/automotive) - [Aerospace & Military](https://www.foam-industries.com/aerospace-military) - [Branding & Marketing](https://www.foam-industries.com/branding-and-marketing) - [Fixtures & Displays](https://www.foam-industries.com/fixtures-and-displays) - [Success Stories](https://www.foam-industries.com/success-stories) - Resources - [Technical Documents](https://www.foam-industries.com/technical-documents) - [Gallery](https://www.foam-industries.com/gallery) - [News](https://www.foam-industries.com/news) - [About Us](https://www.foam-industries.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.foam-industries.com/careers) - [Sustainability](https://www.foam-industries.com/sustainability) - [Contact Us](https://www.foam-industries.com/contact-us) - [763.503.9265](tel:7635039265) [Get a Quote](https://www.foam-industries.com/get-a-quote) ![sustainability-gen-z](https://www.foam-industries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sustainability-gen-z.jpg?width=1640&height=860&name=sustainability-gen-z.jpg) # Sustainable Packaging That Actually Works ## Sustainability is more than just the materials you choose Most conversations about sustainable packaging focus on what it’s made of. But that’s only part of the picture. If your product gets damaged in transit, the environmental impact multiplies fast. Replacement shipments, wasted materials, added labor. **It all adds up.** **Sustainable packaging isn’t just about choosing a recyclable material. That’s why we want to educate the public about the sustainable power of foam packaging.** ## A Smarter Approach to Sustainable Packaging There’s been a strong push toward paper-based and alternative materials. Reduce reliance on petroleum-based products, therefore you improve improve recyclability...right? There's one big issue with this approach: **recyclability isn't the only factor for sustainability** (and even if it *were* – a vast majority of consumer packaging doesn't end up being recycled). Narrowly focusing on if a product *can theoretically* be recycled by the end consumer ignores some major impacts environmental impacts. ### Our approach to sustainability: - **Reducing damage and reverse logistics through engineered protection:** drastically decrease the carbon footprint from returns and replacements on damaged products - **Reducing packaging waste:** reducing how much material goes into the dumpster - **Backing decisions with real data, not assumptions:** optimizing packaging with the least amount of material but most amount of protection - **Choosing industrially recyclable materials:** re-using plastic materials when possible through industrial recylcing ## The Biggest Sustainability Problem? Product Damage ### Reducing carbon footprint by eliminating reverse logistics Did you know that the reverse logistics for each damaged product, on average, [adds 40.4 pounds of carbon dioxide gas emissions into the atmosphere](https://www.pregis.com/knowledge-hub/gauging-your-greenness-the-ecogauge-app-lets-shippers-calculate-environmental-impact-of-damaged-products/)?  **When protection fails:** - Products are scrapped or replaced - Shipments are repeated - More materials are used than originally planned - Shipping happens TWICE What looks like a “greener” packaging choice on paper can end up creating more waste in practice. **That’s why protection has to come first.** At Foam Industries, we design packaging that’s built to perform. Using [real-world testing and data](https://www.foam-industries.com/news/data-driven-protection-why-foam-is-the-science-backed-choice), we make sure your packaging actually does its job the first time.   *Want to learn more? Our friends at Pregis have created the **[EcoGauge Online Calculator](https://www.pregis.com/knowledge-hub/gauging-your-greenness-the-ecogauge-app-lets-shippers-calculate-environmental-impact-of-damaged-products/)** to calculate the environmental impact of damaged products. * ## Sustainability Is Changing (And Regulations Are Driving It) Regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are starting to shift how companies are evaluated. States like Minnesota have already taken steps in this direction, and more are expected to follow. What this means: - Companies may be responsible for the full lifecycle impact of their packaging - Waste, recyclability, and material usage are being scrutinized more closely - Poor packaging decisions can become a compliance and cost issue This isn’t just a local concern. For companies shipping nationally, packaging strategies need to hold up across different regulatory environments. ## Post-production recycling  Another way we’re working toward sustainability is recycling everything we can.  - We partner with Pregis to source recycled PolyPlank® Renew Foam - We use recycled product whenever possible - We recycle 99% of our post-industrial waste - We are committed to a toward zero landfilled material from our building **When it comes to sustainability, we're shredding it.  ** ## Hydro-Bricks ### Sustainable Water-Jet bricks for high precision cutting. The packaging process can produce a lot of excess from cutting. That’s why we created Hydro-Bricks to repurpose unused materials. We also offer them for sale! Hydro-Bricks are made with the same High Density Polyethylene that you know and love, except the plastic is being repurposed. That's right, the same waterjet that carves your custom parts can use Hydro-Bricks for a second-to-none cutting surface. ### The deets: - Made of excess polypropylene plastic - Dimensions: 4" tall x 6" x 48" - Full pallets have 96 Hydro-Bricks - Half pallets have 48 Hydro-Bricks - All bricks ship out of MN [Ask Us About Hydro-Bricks](mailto:sales@foam-industries.com) [![hydro\_brick2](https://www.foam-industries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hydro_brick2.jpg?width=450&name=hydro_brick2.jpg)](https://www.foam-industries.com/hubfs/hydro_brick2.jpg) Locations Served North Dakota South Dakota Wyoming Wisconsin Minnesota Nebraska Montana Illinois Kansas Colorado Materials [Polyethylene (PE) Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/polyethylene-pe-foam) [Polyurethane (PU) Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/polyethylene-pu-foam) [XLPE Foam](https://www.foam-industries.com/xlpe-foam) [Other Foams](https://www.foam-industries.com/other-foams) [Plastics](https://www.foam-industries.com/plastics) [Wood](https://www.foam-industries.com/wood) [Microfoam Replacement](https://www.foam-industries.com/microfoam-replacement)   Capabilities [Custom Foam Fabrication](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) [Design Service](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) [Package Testing](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) [Inventory Control](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) [Fast Lead Times](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) [Prototyping](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) [Industrial Sewing](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) [Custom Wood Fabrication](https://www.foam-industries.com/capabilities) [Request A Sample](https://www.foam-industries.com/get-a-sample) Industries [Medical Industry](https://www.foam-industries.com/medical) [Automotive Industry ](https://www.foam-industries.com/automotive) [Aerospace](https://www.foam-industries.com/aerospace-military) [Military](https://www.foam-industries.com/aerospace-military) [Branding & Marketing](https://www.foam-industries.com/branding-and-marketing) [Fixture & Display Manufacturers](https://www.foam-industries.com/fixtures-and-displays) [Industrial](https://www.foam-industries.com/industrial) [Industry Success Stories ](https://www.foam-industries.com/success-stories) ![logo](https://www.foam-industries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo.png?width=250&height=111&name=logo.png) 12424 Ironwood Circle Suite 101           Rogers, MN 55374 [sales@foam-industries.com](mailto:sales@foam-industries.com) 763-503-9265 - - - - ©2026 Foam Industries Inc.   All rights reserved.   [Privacy Policy](http://21853755.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy)   [Terms of Use](http://21853755.hs-sites.com/terms-of-use)   Minneapolis Web Design by BizzyWeb