Multilayer Flexible Film Recycling. Breakthrough recycling breakthrough: how Multilayer Flexible Film can revolutionize sustainable packaging. Flexible plastic packaging - from grocery wrap to multi-layer food pouches - has long represented one of the most stubborn challenges in modern waste management. While lightweight and efficient for protecting goods, these complex materials traditionally end up in landfills due to sorting difficulties and cross-contamination. However, recent landmark research conducted by Plastics Forming Enterprises (PFE) alongside the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) and Ridwell demonstrates a major technical breakthrough: post-consumer multilayer flexible films collected directly from households are technically feasible to recycle at commercial scale. Multilayer Flexible Film Recycling By establishing smarter sorting protocols and matching recycled materials to appropriate manufacturing methods, the packaging sector can convert hard-to-recycle films into valuable secondary raw materials. The sorting challenge: separating food vs. Non-Food streams. The key to successful flexible film recovery lies in early material classification. Post-consumer residential collections naturally contain varying levels of organic residue, paper labels, and complex multi-material layers. Multilayer Flexible Film Recycling During the study, incoming bales of polyethylene (PE) film were sorted into two primary channels: * Non-Food-Contact Stream (77% of recovered volume): Included clean protective wrap, shipping bags, and non-perishable packaging. This stream achieved an impressive 90.6% yield during processing. * Food-Contact Stream (23% of recovered volume): Included pet food bags and food barrier wraps. Due to organic residue and tight multilayer bonds, this stream achieved an 80% yield. POST-CONSUMER BALE SEPARATION | +-+-+ | v v Non-Food Contact (77%) Food Contact (23%) - 90.6% Processing Yield - 80.0% Processing Yield - Standard Screen Filtration - Coarse Screen Filtration Required - Suitable for Blown Film - Ideal for Injection Molding Overcoming the extrusion filtration barrier. When mechanical recyclers melt down plastic waste, the material must pass through mesh screen packs to filter out un-melted polymers, paper fibers, and particulates. Multilayer Flexible Film Recycling Testing demonstrated that non-food-contact PE film handles standard fine mesh filtration (20/40/150/40/20 mesh) with ease, producing clean, uniform resin pellets. Conversely, food-contact streams caused high melt pressures during extrusion, triggering automated safety shutdowns. Multilayer Flexible Film Recycling To process food-contact film, technicians used wider, coarser screen packs (20/40/20 mesh). While this modification permitted smooth pellet production, it allowed microscopic contaminants to remain inside the recycled resin. Recognizing this distinction is critical for downstream manufacturers when selecting post-consumer recycled (PCR) feedstocks. Matching recycled resins to the right end market. Not all recycled applications require pristine virgin-grade purity. The true power of modern circular economy design is matching material properties to the right manufacturing process. 1. Blown Film applications (high-purity demand). Blown film manufacturing - used to make thin plastic bags, agricultural sheets, and stretch wrap - requires high melt stability and zero particulate defects. Multilayer Flexible Film Recycling * Washed Non-Food Film: Successfully produced stable blown film at up to 50% PCR concentration. * Unwashed Non-Food Film: Maintained bubble stability at 25% PCR concentration. * Food-Contact Film: Struggled to maintain film stability due to micro-contaminants, indicating that film-to-film recycling for this stream requires advanced wash systems or chemical recycling technologies. 2. Injection Molding (high contamination tolerance). Where blown film encounters limits, injection molding presents an ideal solution. All evaluated streams - including food-contact resin and unwashed mixed industry blends - were successfully molded into high-strength test specimens at 100% recycled content. Testing confirmed that molded specimens retained excellent tensile strength, flexural stability, and impact resistance. This opens massive market opportunities for transforming discarded films into durable goods such as: * Shipping pallets and transport totes * Construction materials and protective dunnage * Landscaping products and heavy-duty storage containers Multilayer Flexible Film Recycling A clear roadmap for sustainable packaging growth. This research delivers a clear operational strategy for municipal collectors, recyclers, and brand owners: * Prioritize Targeted Collection: Specialized residential recovery programs (like subscription-based curbside pickups) yield high-quality feedstocks compared to unsorted mixed waste. * Implement Water-Based Washing: Gentle agitation washing significantly improves PCR purity and downstream performance without requiring harsh chemical additives. * Diversify End Markets: Direct high-purity non-food films back into film manufacturing, while routing complex food-contact films toward durable molded products. By aligning collection infrastructure with downstream manufacturing capabilities, the packaging industry can close the loop on flexible films, significantly reduce virgin plastic consumption, and build a resilient circular economy. Multilayer Flexible Film Recycling

Clif Family relaunches Organic Nut mix line with Gluten Free certification and enhanced sustainability. New chef-driven recipes, cleaner ingredients, and eco-conscious packaging deliver better-for-you snacks with a lower environmental footprint January 20, 2026 - St. Helena, Calif. - Clif Family Winery & Farm is proud to announce the relaunch of its complete line of organic nut mixes, now featuring Gluten Free Certified Organic (GFCO) certification, upgraded recipes crafted by Executive Chef Magnus Young, and more sustainable packaging designed to reduce environmental impact. All six varieties have been reformulated with a focus on flavor, ingredient quality, and nutritional enhancement, while meeting rigorous new certification standards. The relaunch reflects Clif Family's ongoing commitment to creating products that are better for people and the planet. "We approached these the same way we do any recipe coming out of our kitchen - starting with flavor first," said Magnus Young, Executive Chef at Clif Family. "We're always thinking about how our food shows up at the table, whether it's alongside a glass of our wine or worked into a recipe, so that meant rethinking every seasoning, every ingredient, and really dialing in something that's simply delicious and meant to be shared." The reformulated nut mixes feature several significant improvements. All six offerings now carry official Gluten Free Certified Organic certification, meeting the growing demand from consumers who shop gluten free due to celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or to accommodate others with dietary restrictions. The new recipes also feature cleaner ingredient formulations throughout the line. By replacing refined sugars with organic coconut sugar, all products now contain just 1-2 grams of sugar per serving, aligning with consumer demand for healthier snack options. In partnership with EcoEnclose of Louisville, Colorado, Clif Family has transitioned to new 4-ounce pouches made with 33-90% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. Independent sustainability analysis revealed significant environmental benefits compared to the previous packaging: * 25% reduction in energy demand * 22% reduction in carbon emissions * 23% reduction in water use "This packaging change represents a meaningful step forward in our sustainability journey," said Sarah Richmond, Director of Operations and Sustainability at Clif Family. "By incorporating post-consumer recycled content, we're significantly reducing our environmental footprint while maintaining the quality and freshness our customers expect." Clif Family has implemented a Take Back program through their partnership with Ridwell, giving customers a convenient way to recycle the new pouches. The new Gluten Free Certified Organic Nut Mixes are available at Erewhon, Bubble Goods, Our Farms and directly from the Clif Family website. In 2004, Clif Bar co-creators Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford embarked on a new venture, founding Clif Family Winery & Farm based on their shared commitment to crafting delicious, small-batch food and wine while prioritizing the well-being of people, the planet, and the community. Guided by a dedication to the highest quality with the lowest environmental impact, Clif Family is a certified B Corp committed to organic food and farming, sustainable production, zero waste, and conserving and restoring our natural resources. Our portfolio includes organically farmed Napa Valley wines and specialty foods, including a Napa Nash Hot Sauce, Savory Nut Mixes, Fruit Preserves, Wine Jellies and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Clif Family farms 90 acres of organic vineyards and a 10-acre vegetable garden, olive grove and fruit orchard in the Napa Valley.