Are Produce Plastic Bags Biodegradable?

When selecting your delicious fruits and vegetables from the grocery store’s produce section, you’ll notice the rolls of plastic bags to put your selections in. Unfortunately, these produce bags are not biodegradable. 

The plastic used to make produce bags, also known as film, is produced by using either high- or low-density polyethylene. This material isn’t biodegradable and can take centuries to decompose fully. 

Are Produce Plastic Bags Sustainable?

The upside to using plastic produce bags is that they can be sustainable. For example, while most recycling centers don’t accept plastic bags, many grocery stores have implemented recycling programs. You can recycle your used produce bags, grocery bags, bubble wrap, and more. 

Another way that plastic bags are more sustainable is that they require less energy to produce when compared to other materials, such as paper. In fact, according to a study conducted by United States EPA, “Plastic bags use 40% less energy to produce and generate 80% less solid waste than paper, and a pound of plastic takes 91% less energy to recycle as compared to a pound of paper.”

More and more companies are joining the effort to reduce waste in our country. As a result, technological advances have resulted in the creation of eco-friendly, plant-based poly bags that combine organic materials with the synthetic ones typically used. This makes poly bags not only a practical option but a sustainable one as well. 

Sustainable Poly Bags From A-Pac Manufacturing

A-Pac Manufacturing is committed to supporting greener and more eco-friendly packaging initiatives, and we’re excited to announce a new, more sustainable product offering. Using NuPlastiQ® technology, we can deliver high-quality plastic bags made from 20% plant-based materials. 

A-Pac Manufacturing’s sustainable poly bags are made from up to 20% plant-based polymer. This abundant, renewable resource provides many of the same qualities manufactured polymers possess, including strength, durability, and affordability. Still, it has one quality that plastic does not – the ability to biodegrade more quickly. 

Are you interested in purchasing biodegradable plastic bags for your business? A-Pac Manufacturing has got you covered! Our new, more sustainable poly bags are our next step in offering you more of the environmentally friendly solutions you’re looking for. Call the A-Pac Manufacturing team today to discuss eco-friendly packaging options for your next order.

Are you interested in investing in flat-bottom bags for your product? A-Pac Manufacturing is a top flat-bottom bag manufacturers, and we’re here to help you decide if this packaging is right for you. 

What Are Flat Bottom Bags?

Flat-bottom bags have a flat bottom surface that allows them to stand upright on shelves or wherever they’re placed. Many flat-bottom bags also have gussets (a triangular insert for added strength or expansion) on the left and right sides or bottom. These features make the bags look more attractive and improve their strength and durability. 

One of the best qualities of flat-bottom bags is that they can easily stand up independently and stay open. This comes in handy when you’re packing the bag with your goods, it’s sitting on a shelf and you want it to catch a consumer’s eye, or when someone is trying to have easy access to what’s in the bag. 

What Products Are Flat Bottom Bags Best For?

While food industries use our flat-bottom bags the most, these bags are ideal for a wide range of applications that benefit from a bag with a flat bottom. Some of the products that flat bottom bags are best for include:

• Coffee beans and grinds
• Dry dog and cat food
• Bread
• Tote and box liners
• Candy 
• Snacks
• Ice
• Powders 
• Medical materials 
• Screws and other metal parts
• Meat and poultry
• Freezer or cold storage bags
• And so much more!

Where Can I Find a High-Quality Flat Bottom Bag Supplier?

When it comes to top-notch flat-bottom bag suppliers, no other business compares to A-Pac Manufacturing. We specialize in producing top-of-the-line bags and packaging materials, including gusseted flat-bottom poly bags.

With custom sizes and no minimum order quantity, A-Pac Manufacturing can supply any gusseted poly bag to suit your company’s needs. We offer thicknesses between .75 and 6 millimeters and dimensions ranging from 4 inches by 8 inches to 120 inches by 240 inches. Plus, we have some of the quickest lead times in the market and specialize in working with small business owners. 

Note: If you don’t see the size you need listed on our website, don’t fret. We can manufacture any size poly bag. Just let us know what size you’re looking for, and we’ll make it happen. 

We know how important it is to make your product stand out from the rest. That’s why we offer bags in dazzling shades of red, yellow, green, blue, white, black, and more. We also have access to many material options, including Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene, Metallocene, etc., so it’s always easy to produce the perfect bag for your application. 

Does A-Pac Manufacturing Offer Sustainable Options?

Yes! A-Pac Manufacturing is committed to supporting greener and more eco-friendly packaging initiatives. That’s why we offer sustainable poly bags as part of our next step in providing you with more of the environmentally friendly solutions you’re looking for.

With our sustainable flat-bottom bag option, our clients can order the same reliable, versatile custom poly bags with up to 20% plant-based material. Using NuPlastiQ® technology, we can deliver the plastic bags you trust to package your products and display your brand – but better (for your company and the planet).

Like paper, the NuPlastiQ® plant-based polymer can quickly biodegrade with naturally-occurring microorganisms. This abundant, renewable resource provides many of the same qualities prized in artificial polymers (strength, durability, affordability, etc.). Still, it has one quality that plastic does not – the ability to biodegrade more quickly.

Invest in Flat Bottom Bags for Your Business

If you think flat-bottom bags are a good fit for your product, A-Pac Manufacturing can help. We can give you the size and quantity of bags you need within the timeline you need them. Plus, we offer custom options to make your brand’s vision come to life effortlessly. Give us a call or contact us online to learn more.

You might wonder, “Will my small business be affected by the resin shortage in the U.S.?” Here at A-Pac Manufacturing, we take pride in working with small businesses and are here to help. We’ll give you the inside scoop on what’s going on.  

Is There a Resin Shortage in the US?

In 2021, the world started suffering from a raw material shortage, and its effects have carried over into 2022. In particular, the plastics industry is continuously impacted by labor shortages, higher demand, and increased import taxes on resin. 

Plastic resins are a primary material used in many industries, and their high prices have caused issues for many businesses. If you’re afraid that this might happen to your business, we hope we can put your mind at ease with all the facts. 

What Caused the Resin Shortage in the US?

Multiple factors contributed to the plastic resin shortage in our country. The two most impactful include:

1. The COVID-19 Pandemic

One element was the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During this time, production paused, and the entire petrochemical sector came to a halt. Since resins are a byproduct of petroleum refining, anything that causes a decline in refining will create a domino effect – making resin more expensive and difficult to find. 

The pandemic also caused issues related to shipping and labor, which also hurt the industry.

2. Extreme Weather Conditions in the South

The second major factor adding to the resin shortage is the harsh winter storms throughout Louisiana and Texas in 2021.

During this time, oil refineries in the area were forced to close due to inclement weather. They struggled to get back on track as demand for epoxy resins and other raw materials continued to rise. 

What Businesses in the US Are Affected by the Resin Shortage?

Across the United States and the rest of the world, the resin shortage continues. It has caused a rise in resin prices, and the demand for resins surpasses the volume of available supplies. This makes it difficult for manufacturers to procure polyethylene, nylon, PVC, epoxy, polyester, and vinyl resins.

When manufacturers can’t obtain resin, they cannot make a variety of products, including pipes, tanks, pharmaceutical equipment, automobile parts, appliances, electronics, and more. As you can imagine, this has resulted in many businesses being affected by the resin shortage. 

According to Resilinc, life sciences, healthcare, and automobiles are the three most affected industries. 

Where Can I Get Plastic Bags for My Small Business?

If you’ve made it this far into the blog, you’re probably concerned about your small business and how you can get the plastic bags you need on time. Luckily, A-Pac Manufacturing is here for you. 

Here at A-Pac Manufacturing, we prefer to work with small businesses. We can fill your orders with shorter lead times than other manufacturers in the industry. We offer bags in a wide range of standard and custom sizes. Plus, we have no minimum order quantity. Give us a call for more information today!

There’s a lot of information about food safety and business requirements out there, which can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you understand ISO certification for food safety.

What Is ISO Certification for Food Safety?

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization and promotes standards across a wide range of industries. Several types of ISO standards and certifications apply to manufacturers, sellers, buyers, users, regulators, and customers. ISO has specific food safety standards, which we’ll focus on here. 

ISO certifications for food safety feature a set of standards for companies that require them to implement policies, processes, and procedures to deliver safe, high-quality products. 

What Is the Purpose of ISO Certification for Food Safety?

Are you wondering what the purpose of ISO certification for food safety is? The primary mission is always to improve customer satisfaction, which ISO’s other goals accomplish. 

The goals of ISO certification are to aim for continuous improvement, ensuring that companies stay updated with the latest food standards as they’re released. Companies will develop and maintain high-quality management system guidelines, resulting in increased productivity, reducing unnecessary costs, and guaranteeing the utmost quality of products and processes. 

How Do You Get ISO Certified for Food Safety?

While obtaining food safety certifications for your business can seem like a big undertaking, it’s worth it in the long run. It isn’t super challenging, but it will require changes to be made. 

To get ISO certified, your operation must implement a quality management system according to the most recent ISO standards. Then, you must be audited by a certified auditor to ensure that you meet all the requirements. 

If you’re ready to get your business certified, it’s important to note that ISO only develops the standards – they’re not involved in issuing certificates. You’ll need to contact an external auditor for that. 

To find an accredited certification body, contact the national accreditation body in your country or visit International Accreditation Forum CertSearch.

ISO 22000 Certification for Food Safety

The consequences of contaminated and unregulated food can be severe. No matter how big or small a business is, all food producers have a duty to manage the safety of their products to protect the well-being of their customers. That’s where ISO 22000 comes into play. 

ISO 22000 helps organizations identify and control food safety and management standards. It helps provide a layer of reassurance within the global food supply chain and gives consumers peace of mind. 

When a company obtains the ISO 22000 certification for food safety, it has proven its ability to control food safety hazards. Some of the other benefits of the certificate include the following:

• Reduced risk exposure 
• Improved food safety
• Ability to identify, prevent, and control food hazards
• Ability to build a flexible food safety management system within your organization
• Improved monitoring and measurement of food safety performance
• Food safety legal compliance

Invest in Food-Safe Bags for Your Business

Are you looking for food-safe bags for your business that meet the necessary standards? A-Pac Manufacturing is here to help! We know all the ins and outs of ISO certification, and we take pride in helping business owners like you.

Here at A-Pac Manufacturing, we’re dedicated to producing and supplying top-quality products for every client and every order. All our bags are made up of FDA-approved materials. If you’re interested in taking your business to the next level, give us a call today!

We’re here to help with information about all the credentials you need and where you can find the best materials for your business that are up to code. 

What is Food Safety and Compliance?

Food safety and compliance is a set of regulations and certifications that ensure food is manufactured and marketed under safe and sanitary conditions. This is done through routine surveillance inspections. 

Official food inspectors make sure that food is pure, safe to eat, and properly labeled according to food safety laws and regulations. Their goal is to keep people safe and prevent food supply contamination. 

What is GFSI?

GFSI (the Global Food Safety Initiative) is an independently-reviewed organization establishing standards and certifications to regulate food safety. GFSI helps provide companies and consumers with confidence that food is grown, produced, packaged, shipped, and sold safely.

Every day, GFSI continues to develop new ways to improve food safety and standards, ensuring unbiased reporting and accountability. Plus, this agency established the food safety certification FSSC 22000 to govern food quality in a comprehensive, effective, and versatile way for different industries. 

Types of Food Safety and Compliance Certifications

If your business involves food, you are eligible to obtain food safety and compliance certifications. We’ve provided a list of certificates your business may need to incorporate to help maintain quality standards. 

ISO 22000 FSMS

ISO 22000 FSMS provides assurance within the food supply chain at the national and international levels. This certification is available to all types of food suppliers.

Some of the benefits of receiving the ISO 22000 FSMS certification include:

• Reduction of exposure to risk
• Improved food safety
• Ability to identify, prevent, and control food hazards
• Ability to build a flexible food safety management system within your organization
• Improved monitoring and measurement of food safety performance
• Food safety legal compliance

FSSC 22000

The FSSC 22000 food safety certification aims to control food safety risks. FSSC (Food Safety Management Certification Scheme) provides structured plans and systems for managing food safety risks and safe products. 

The FSSC Food Safety Certification is widely accepted and recognized as a trustworthy certification worldwide. It fulfills all the Global Food Safety Initiatives (GFSI) benchmark requirements and applies to the food, feed, and food packaging manufacturing and supplying sectors.

Some of the benefits of receiving the FSSC Food Safety Certification include:

• Improved risk management by creating an environment allowing safe product production
• Continual management, monitoring, validation, and improvement in the system
• Increased market reach
• Consistent quality offerings
• Increased operational efficiency

HACCP

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) is similar to other food safety management standards because it demonstrates strong ethics, healthy food practices, and a commitment to providing safe food for your customers. 

The HACCP Certification is designed to prevent microbiological, chemical, and physical contamination in food supply and production. It’s unique because it follows an evidence-based approach, thus enhancing its efficiency and accuracy. 

Some of the benefits of receiving the HACCP certification include:

• Ability to identify food risks
• Ability to establish critical control points and set critical limits
• Ability to fulfill market requirements
• Control measures are validated, verified, and monitored

BRCGS Food and BRCGS Packaging and Packaging Material

BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards) was developed to empower manufacturers to fulfill legal obligations efficiently and ensure food safety for their customers. 

The purpose of the BRCGS food standard is to maintain quality, hygiene, and product safety within the food industry. It also focuses on the packaging that is associated with foods. 

Some of the benefits of receiving the BRCG food standard include:

• Minimization of duplication of evaluation
• Global recognition
• Reduction of product complaints, returns, and rejections
• Increased cost efficiency 
• Reduction of waste

FAMI–QS 

FAMI–QS is a certification offered by the well-recognized Quality and Feed Safety Management System. This certification focuses on the feed ingredients added to animal products that may or may not carry any nutritional value. These ingredients could affect the characteristics of the original product, as well as the performance. The goal of the FAMI–QS certification is to measure and monitor the safety of and quality of feed additives. 

Some of the benefits of receiving the FAMI–QS certification include:

• Increased hygiene 
• Improved product production traceability
• Improved risk management
• Improved safety and quality of the product production
• Increased cost efficiency
• Minimized time and effort during production

SQF

SQF (Safe Quality Food) is a certification offered by GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative). The accreditation provides standardized safety requirements for food manufacturers and suppliers. It also demonstrates a business’s compliance with international and domestic food safety regulations, assuring suppliers and customers that their food is high-quality and produced with healthy and standardized practices. 

Some of the benefits of receiving the SQF certification include:

• Enhanced process management 
• Improved ability to identify and manage risks
• Global recognition
• Increased business opportunities
• Reduction of waste

AIB

The AIB (American Institute of Baking-food) provides food safety certifications, audits, inspections, and educational seminars for the food manufacturing and distributing industries. The purpose of the AIB certification is increased quality assurance and food safety. 

Some of the benefits of receiving the AIB certification include:

• Increased ability to identify, reduce, eliminate, and prevent food hazards
• Prevention of damage
• Reduction of waste
• Improved ability to maintain a healthy environment for food management

Invest in Bags That Are Food Safety and Compliance Certified

Now that you know all the ins and outs of food safety and compliance certifications, it’s time to invest in the perfect bags for your product. A-Pac Manufacturing is proud to hold the FSSC 22000 certification and GFSI recognition. This means we can guarantee our product quality for food industry applications, and better serve our customers with exceptional poly bags for all their needs. 

What are you waiting for? Contact us at A-Pac Manufacturing today! We specialize in producing high-quality bags for small businesses that follow food safety standards. Give us a call today!

You may be wondering what sorts of industries might need customized plastic bags. The answer is — pretty much anyone who sells anything! From retailers and e-commerce stores to grocery stores and shipping companies: if you have products to carry around, then you probably need something to carry them in.

Why Should You Order Custom Plastic Bags Instead of Generic Blank Ones?

Custom plastic bags are designed to suit the specific needs of your product. And, when you work with a custom plastic bag manufacturer you trust, your poly bags can be customized to fit the shape of your product. What’s more, when you order custom plastic bags with your company logo or company name, they will help people remember your business when they see them in their homes or on their desks at work. This is a great way to build brand awareness with your customer base — helping to solidify your brand in the minds of current customers, while also helping to expose your brand to new markets. 

The second reason to go with a custom manufacturer is that you get what you want. Depending on the type of product or service you sell, there may be some specific features that are important for the packaging of your product or its storage after purchase (for example, if you sell fragile items). A generic blank plastic bag won’t have these features, but those can be included with a custom one!

Get the Bags You Need, No Matter the Shape, Size, or Thickness.

Custom bags are made to fit the needs of your business, so you’re sure to get the best bang for your buck. You can get custom bags in any size, shape, or thickness needed to fit your product. For example:

• If you have a large item that needs to be shipped from one place to another, it makes sense to invest in a strong bag. A standard 14-inch by 18-inch bag may not provide enough protection for this kind of shipment and could be easily damaged during transit. Instead, consider using a plastic bag made from thick polyethylene film, which is highly durable and tear-resistant.
• If you sell small items such as cookies or gummies, these can easily fit into an 8-inch by 10-inch rectangular-shaped plastic bag with no problems! This type of custom product will protect them while ensuring they stay fresh until they reach their destination.

Custom Plastic Bag Manufacturers Offer Labeling and Branding Options

To remain competitive in today’s retail market, offering your customers something unique is essential. One way you can accomplish this is by creating a branded plastic bag that stands out from the competition. Custom printed bags are an excellent way to do this because they allow you to create a design specifically for your business and customers.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to designing your custom bag, here are some tips:

• Build a unique design that matches your company’s branding, including your logo and colors.
• Include relevant words or phrases: “Thanks for shopping!” 
• Stand out with bright colors or an attractive design. 
• Get creative with outreach — include your website URL, social media info, or even a custom QR code. 

Custom Poly Bag Manufacturers Often Don’t Require a Minimum Order Quantity

While researching plastic bag manufacturers, you’ll likely find that most larger manufacturers require a minimum order quantity. This practice is common among businesses that sell products or services in bulk and want to keep their inventory costs down.

A minimum order quantity is the smallest quantity in which a company will make your custom bags. This can be an important factor to consider when choosing a plastic bag manufacturer, as it can affect both your price and the number of bags you’ll be able to get in a single purchase.

For example, if you want 100 custom-printed plastic shopping bags, but a larger manufacturer has a minimum quantity of 1,000 units, it’s inconvenient, and probably expensive, for you to order that complete 1,000 units. A custom poly bag manufacturer will likely be able to provide that smaller order you need, which means you don’t have to worry about room for storage, or paying for more than what you need. 

Get the High-Quality Poly Bags You Need

Looking for poly bags in a custom size or in a smaller order quantity? A-Pac Manufacturing is your fast, local custom plastic bag manufacturer. We’re here to deliver the bags you need, in the quantities you need, on your schedule. No minimum order quantity.