Emerald Packaging and Walmart Partner on First 30% PCR Potato Bag to Cut Plastic Waste
Emerald Packaging, the largest supplier of retail flexible packaging for the produce industry, has partnered with Idaho Package, Wada Farms, and Walmart to develop the first 30% food-contact Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) bag in the potato category. The initiative supports Walmart’s Project Gigaton, which aims to eliminate one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from its global supply chain by 2030.
The new PCR potato bags were first trialed in fall 2024 and launched commercially later that year. Today, twelve stock-keeping units (SKUs) use the new packaging, reducing the use of virgin polyethylene by over 100,000 pounds. Walmart continues to extend the transition to other root crop categories, underscoring the retailer’s sustainability commitments.
“We’ve worked on sustainable packaging initiatives for over 20 years, and PCR has emerged as the first affordable option ever,” said Kevin Kelly, CEO of Emerald Packaging. “We built a supply chain and launched a product that met or exceeded the PCR targets of major retailers. We did so without compromising product performance and with only a nominal cost impact. Our commitment to PCR aligned perfectly with Walmart’s goal to incorporate it in their packaging.”
Laura Himes, Vice President of Produce Sourcing at Walmart, said: “At Walmart, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and offering our customers more sustainable choices. We are proud to collaborate with Emerald Packaging, Idaho Package, and Wada Farms to introduce the first 30% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) bag for the potato category. This initiative directly supports our goal to minimize waste with the integration of PCR content for retail packaging and demonstrates our dedication to working with suppliers who share our commitment to a more sustainable future.”
Emerald Packaging, based in Union City, California, has supplied produce packaging for more than six decades and remains at the forefront of sustainability in plastic manufacturing. The company was among the first in the industry to achieve Green Business certification for reducing waste, water use, and energy consumption, and it played a key role in shaping California legislation to improve recycling infrastructure.
Both Wada Farms and Idaho Package have incorporated environmental responsibility into their operations for years. Wada Farms has implemented measures such as plastic reduction, solar energy use, and water conservation, while Idaho Package has focused on right-sizing packaging and advancing sustainable manufacturing practices in collaboration with leading suppliers.
