Natural Pastures Mozzarella’s and Bufetta Packaging
Compliance with GDR – Q&A
Natural Pastures Cheese Company | Mozzarella /Bufetta Tub and Related Packaging Review
This Q&A summarizes supplier information received from Natural Pastures Cheese Company package suppliers: IPL Schoeller and Foodpak regarding the plastic packaging for mozzarella products, bufetta product, including water buffalo mozzarella tubs and related mozzarella packaging formats.
Product Packaging Reviewed
Our mozzarella tubs are supplied by IPL Schoeller and are marked with the recycling symbol 5 PP, indicating polypropylene. We have also reviewed flexible film options with Foodpak, including the feasibility of mono-structure recyclable or recycle-ready films for food packaging.
Are the mozzarella and bufetta tubs recyclable?
Yes. Based on IPL Schoeller’s manufacturer response, the tubs are made from 100% recyclable polypropylene or HDPE, depending on the packaging item. Our mozzarella tubs are marked 5 PP, which indicates polypropylene.
What does “5 PP” mean?
The recycling symbol 5 PP means the container is made from polypropylene, a commonly used plastic for food containers, dairy tubs, and lids. Polypropylene is widely used in food-contact packaging and is recyclable in many systems.
Are the mozzarella tubs GDR compliant?
Based on the information provided by IPL Schoeller, the packaging has been designed with the Golden Design Rules in mind. IPL Schoeller has confirmed that their products use 100% recyclable polypropylene or HDPE, include recycling symbols, and can be supplied with recyclable label options.
For our mozzarella tubs, the container is marked 5 PP, supporting its identification as recyclable polypropylene packaging.
Is the container colour acceptable?
IPL Schoeller has confirmed that their products are available in white, clear, or natural. They also noted that colorant is the customer’s choice and that NIR-detectable black options. Natural Pastures use white or clear tubs, pails, and lids.
Does the printing affect recyclability?
IPL Schoeller has confirmed that their IML labels use polypropylene film and that their inks follow APR guidelines.
This supports recyclability because polypropylene labels on polypropylene containers are more compatible with PP recycling than mixed-material label systems. The use of APR-guideline inks also supports recycling compatibility.
Are the labels recyclable?
Based on IPL Schoeller’s response, their IML labels use polypropylene film. This is consistent with recyclable polypropylene packaging design because the label material is compatible with the polypropylene container.
Are the inks recycling-compatible?
IPL Schoeller has stated that their inks follow APR guidelines, which supports the recyclability of the printed packaging.
Is the packaging made from problematic plastics?
Based on IPL Schoeller’s response, their products use 100% recyclable polypropylene or HDPE. The response does not identify PVC, PVDC, polystyrene, oxo-degradable additives, or other problematic plastic materials in the mozzarella/bufetta tubs.
Is transportation packaging considered?
Yes. IPL Schoeller has confirmed that plastic wrap is used for transportation, but only the amount needed to secure the product during transport is used. IPL Schoeller also stated that they are studying the use of plastic film containing recycled content, and that their boxes contain recycled content.
Natural Pastures chooses as little packaging to transport our product through the cold chain as safely as possible.
Does the tub include recycling information?
Yes. IPL Schoeller has confirmed that their product packaging include the recycling symbol.
What about flexible film packaging?
We have also discussed flexible film packaging with Foodpak, including mono-structure plastic films that may create a recyclable or recycle-ready film.
Foodpak has advised that, for many food products, mono-structure recyclable film is not currently applicable or practical for several reasons, including shelf life requirements, oxygen barrier needs, puncture resistance, and food safety performance. Order volume is also a major factor, as this type of mono-structure film may require very large minimum order quantities that would result in years of unused stock based on our current usage volumes.
Have we reduced plastic where possible?
Yes. Any reduction in plastic is considered a positive step. Foodpak confirmed that our move from three-side-seal pouches in a vacuum sealer to thermoforming film or our cut and wrap cheese product, in a thermoformer helps reduce excess headspace and improves packaging efficiency.
This change supports our goal of reducing unnecessary plastic while still maintaining the food safety, shelf life, oxygen barrier, and puncture resistance required for fresh cheese products.
What is the head space in the tubs:
Head space for tub products is less than 8% of total volume
Is expert support available if more information is required?
Yes. Foodpak has advised that their sustainability director is actively involved in discussions around the feasibility of Golden Design Rules for food manufacturers and packers, including conversations with major retailers leading this initiative. If further questions or pushback arise, we can request additional technical support from Foodpak.
Summary Statement
Based on the manufacturer response from IPL Schoeller, Natural Pastures Cheese Company’s mozzarella tubs are made from recyclable polypropylene packaging marked 5 PP. IPL Schoeller has confirmed that their products use 100% recyclable polypropylene or HDPE, their IML labels use polypropylene film, their inks follow APR guidelines, and their products include recycling symbols.
For flexible film packaging, our supplier Foodpak has confirmed that while mono-structure recyclable or recycle-ready films are being discussed in the industry, they are not currently practical for many fresh food applications due to shelf life, oxygen barrier, puncture resistance, and minimum order volume requirements.
Natural Pastures Cheese Company has already taken steps to reduce packaging waste by moving from three-side-seal vacuum pouches to thermoforming film, helping reduce excess headspace while maintaining the product protection required for fresh cheese.
Based on current supplier information, our mozzarella tub packaging is supported as recyclable polypropylene packaging designed with Golden Design Rule principles in mind, and we continue to review practical packaging improvements as suitable options become available.
Short Buyer Response
Based on supplier documentation, our mozzarella tubs are marked 5 PP, indicating polypropylene, and IPL Schoeller has confirmed their products use 100% recyclable PP or HDPE, with polypropylene IML labels and inks that follow APR guidelines. For flexible films, Foodpak has advised that mono-structure recyclable or recycle-ready films are not currently practical for many fresh food products due to shelf life, oxygen barrier, puncture resistance, and minimum order-volume requirements. We have already reduced packaging waste by moving from three-side-seal vacuum pouches to thermoforming film, which helps eliminate excess headspace while maintaining product protection.