The Need: We needed to create a package closure that uses less plastic and balances carbon footprint impacts.
The Solution: Kwik Lok created Eco-Lok which uses up to 20% less material from fossil fuels and lowers the carbon impact of the product by up to 20%.
What makes it particularly smart or circular? It uses responsibly sourced bio-based material, corn and potato starch, that would otherwise go to the landfill.
Results, Benefits, and Outcomes to Date: Progress has been measured by sales, which are increasing.
Which of the Pact’s 4 Targets does your work help achieve? This was a first step in work toward target 4.
How are you communicating your success? We are sharing our story in retail, produce and bakery publications as well as working with the sustainability community.
What’s Next? We are working toward a higher level of bio-based material as well as other material options.
Roadblocks & Lessons Learned: As with many new products, the cost is higher for this product. We have found that those companies with CSR commitments do not see this as a barrier but for others it can be. We are seeing more companies make CSR commitments.
Core Team, Partners, & Participants: We worked with outside resources on the materials science. Our engineering and innovations team lead the way.
Time Frame: Approximately 4 years to bring this product to market.
Quote: “Kwik Lok is proud to lead the way for a more sustainable future, maintaining safety and quality standards and preserving the environment for customers, employees and the planet,” said Don Carrell, CEO of Kwik Lok Corp. “Our customers are demanding more sustainable packaging solutions and Eco-Lok is a high-quality product that reduces our carbon footprint and that of our customers.”
Company/Organization Information: Kwik Lok is headquartered in Yakima, Washington. We are a global company that was founded in 1954. We have over 300 employees world-wide.