EARTHPACK is a sustainable packaging company that provides customizable eco-friendly options for brands big and small, from local businesses to multi-national corporations. Their innovative packaging has provided earth-friendly solutions for industries including clothing, spas, beauty, dining, and even environmental organizations.

Based in Irvine, California, the company was founded in 1989 by Dave Bock, who has led EARTHPACK with a mission to help brands reduce their footprint and preserve the environment. Clients include well-known names such as Jack’s Surfboards, Vans, Inamorata, Volcom, Fill Bakery, Sofi Stadium, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Parks, Urban Decay, Epicuren, and more.

We caught up with Bock to learn more about EARTHPACK and how brands can make more sustainable packaging choices. 

Can you share a little about the story behind the EARTHPACK? 

In 1989 I started EARTHPACK because I saw a need for a better solution for retail packaging in the market. My aim from the beginning was to help provide companies with ways to lessen their footprint and to do their part in preserving the environment in new ways. Since then, that mission has remained steadfast and we have been happy to help lead the charge in these efforts, providing custom designs on cutting-edge, repurposed packaging. 

We’ve worked with plenty of environmentally-aware companies that span industries, from retail to spas to restaurants, as well as environmental organizations. We’ve always wanted this to be accessible for a company, no matter the size, so we have solutions that are reachable and attainable.

The beauty industry is pretty well-known for its impact on the environment, but we’ve seen more companies looking for better solutions so that they can send out their “clean” products in ways that make sense from a holistic standpoint.

What are some of the brands that EARTHPACK has worked with? 

We’ve worked with some amazing brands across a large swath of industries since we started. Some of our beauty industry clients have included Skin Laundry, Urban Decay, Epicuren, and You Theory.

What are some of the first things that brands should consider if they want to make their packaging more eco-friendly? 

It’s all about finding ways to minimize. See where you can reduce your impact and find ways to make products out of recycled materials or that are recyclable. Finding a partner who does this like EARTHPACK can be a great way to do this without having to put in the research and development that it comes with. Also, ensure you are working with a reputable packaging partner that is doing what they claim. It takes time, but it will be worth the peace of mind knowing that you are actually making an impact. As consumers, people should also be looking for companies that are actively trying to minimize their impact with packaging, that way they’re sure they too are doing their part.

Are there any common wasteful mistakes brands make that could easily be replaced with better eco-friendly options? 

Absolutely. Oftentimes there is “progress” in mind when brands want to move toward sustainability, but the execution falls flat. For example, buying a paper bag or box, then adding a “plastic lamination” to it now puts that once-more-sustainable option back into the single-use plastic category. If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times: it’s all about minimizing. Find what you can take away and try to identify any non-recyclable packaging that you might be able to transition into something that is reusable or recyclable.

Can you share a little about some of the eco-friendly solutions you offer and why your packaging is a more sustainable option? 

EARTHPACK has been an industry leader in sustainability for more than 30 years and has been evolving to create the best-in-class packaging solutions since then. We offer solutions for every type of business and at many levels that can serve just about everyone, from the local small retail shop to the multinational e-commerce giant. 

With constant innovation, we are able to improve our products and we are always looking at ways we can even further lessen our footprint. We not only provide these for our partners, but we also are active in our support of organizations that are trying to spread awareness and work toward a cleaner planet, including the Surfrider Foundation, Alaska Wilderness League, the Environmental Nature Center, the American Lung Association, the Ocean Institute, SIMA, and others.

For more info on what makes our products eco-friendly, you can check earthpack.com/testing-our-bags.

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy