LANAI CITY, Hawaii — Located on the island of Lanai, Sensei Farms has created a biobased packaging solution to reduce the company’s plastic footprint in its products and reduce plastic use by 93%.

What You Need To Know

  • One of the first packaging solutions to come out of Hawaii and the U.S., it’s made from 91% responsibly sourced biobased materials

  • The “eco-friendlier” design features an “industry first” see-through base that gives consumers a 360-degree view of the product

  • Its “peel-and-reseal” feature provides a longer period of freshness and user-friendly storage

  • The biobased paperboard packaging, which is over 90% less plastic and 91% responsibly sourced paper, will debut with Sensei Farms’ leafy green products including Lanai Mix, Arugula, Butter Leaf, Cherry Red Lettuce, Crisp Leaf Lettuce, Leafy Green Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce and Zesty Blend

According to a news release, one of the first packaging solutions to come out of Hawaii and the U.S., it’s made from 91% responsibly sourced biobased materials. The packaging (once separated) is also recyclable where paperboard is accepted.

The “eco-friendly” design features an “industry-first” see-through base that gives consumers a 360-degree view of the product. Its “peel-and-reseal” feature provides longer freshness and user-friendly storage.

Hawaii is challenged by plastic pollution, with plastic waste (including microplastics) washing onto coastlines, no in-state plastic conversion facility, possible health risks associated with burning plastic waste, and plastic leakage from landfills where toxic substances can leach into the soil and underground water sources.

The nation faces the same challenge: Just 5% of plastic waste is recycled. This statistic was revealed in a Greenpeace USA survey in February 2020, “Circular Claims Fall Flat,” which was updated in 2022.

Hawaii counties recycle #1 and #2 either through curbside pickup, recycling center drop-offs, or the HI5 program. But for the “chasing arrows” or recycle logo with #3 through #7, it’s very misleading because they cannot be recycled.

How do we combat plastic pollution? Reduce waste at its source, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Also known as source reduction or waste prevention, the EPA says the strategy includes reusing or donating items, buying in bulk, reducing packaging, redesigning products and reducing toxicity.

If corporations and businesses, in general, could work to cut down plastic use at the point of origin, it would significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that enters the environment.

Sensei Farms is working to do just that with its new packaging. It marks a significant step toward the company’s mission of merging agriculture and innovation to achieve sustainable farming practices.

The biobased paperboard packaging, which is over 90% less plastic and 91% responsibly sourced paper, will debut with Sensei Farms’ leafy green products including Lanai Mix, Arugula, Butter Leaf, Cherry Red Lettuce, Crisp Leaf Lettuce, Leafy Green Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce and Zesty Blend.

Starting in early August, the products will be available at Foodland, KTA Super Stores, Whole Foods Market, Target, Safeway, Don Quijote, DeCA Commissaries, and other local grocery stores statewide.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.