Our goal is simple: Use as little packaging as we can, and make sure the packaging we do use is as thoughtful, recyclable, reusable, or compostable as possible.
Why Packaging Matters
Shipping perishable food requires materials that keep products safe, cold, and protected during transport. But not all packaging is created equal.
Traditional cold chain shipping often relies heavily on materials that end up in landfills. For us, finding better alternatives is important! Every choice we make from insulation and packing paper, to the ice packs and delivery bags, is an opportunity to reduce environmental impact while ensuring your order arrives in excellent condition.
What We Use for Shipping Orders
Cardboard Shipping Boxes
For our shipping orders, we use standard cardboard boxes. Cardboard remains one of the most widely recyclable packaging materials and offers a durable, practical way to safely transport frozen products.
By using recyclable cardboard as our outer packaging, we can reduce unnecessary single-use materials while still protecting your order in transit.
Green Cell Foam Insulation
Inside our shipping boxes, we use an amazing product called Green Cell Foam Insulation. This material is an innovative insulation made from cornstarch.
Green Cell Foam was designed as a sustainable alternative to traditional Styrofoam. It keeps products cold during transit while offering a much more environmentally responsible end of life option.
Why we chose Green Cell Foam:
- Made from bio-based, non-GMO cornstarch
- Home-compostable
- Water-soluble
- Breaks down in soil in about 60 days or less in moist conditions
- Provides excellent thermal insulation for perishable food shipments
One of the things we love most is how easy it is to dispose of. You can:
- Break it into smaller pieces and dissolve it in water in the sink
- Add it to your home compost
- Place it in soil where it will naturally decompose
It performs the required job while creating far less long term waste.
Vortec Ice Gel Packs
To keep products cold, we use Vortec Ice gel packs.
These are designed specifically for cold chain shipping and offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional ice packs.
Why we use them:
- Reusable for multiple uses
- Non-toxic and drain-safe
- Designed to help reduce landfill waste
- Helps maintain safe temperatures during transit
When the pack has reached the end of its life, the gel can be safely emptied down the drain, and the outer pouch can be recycled where accepted.
What We Use for Local Deliveries
For our local delivery orders, we use the same Vortec Ice gel packs to keep products cold.
We also use insulated delivery bags that help maintain temperature while reducing waste from disposable packaging.
Our insulated bags are:
- Designed to keep products cold, frozen, or hot for hours
- 100% recyclable
- Able to hold up to 30 pounds
- Printed with non-toxic, water-based ink
- 100% food safe
- Reusable
Using durable, recyclable insulated bags allows us to deliver locally while using less single-use packaging. We also reuse the gel packs and bags for multiple orders for local deliveries until they are no longer able to be used!
Small Choices Add Up
Sustainability is rarely about one perfect solution. More often, it is about making better choices consistently.
For us, that means asking questions like:
- Can we use less material?
- Can this be reused?
- Can this be recycled or composted?
- Is there a better alternative available?
Those small decisions add up over time.
A Shared Effort
We also believe sustainability works best when it becomes a shared effort between us and our customers.
When you reuse an ice pack, recycle a box, compost Green Cell Foam, leave quality gel packs and bags on your front step to be re-used, or thoughtfully dispose of your packaging, you become part of that effort too.
Every order is an opportunity to support food systems that are better for people and better for the planet.
Looking Ahead
We’re always learning, improving, and looking for better ways to reduce waste while delivering high-quality food to your door.
Thank you for supporting a business that cares not only about what’s inside the box, but also about how the order gets to you!
The Pasture Provisions Team
