Uncle Dougie’s New Flexible Squeeze Pouch Drastically Improves Sustainability – Yahoo Finance

New Study Shows Pouches Reduce Environmental Impact by up to 80% Compared to Glass Bottles

CHICAGO, April 30, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Uncle Dougie’s – the maker of natural and organic sauces, marinades and rubs – is dramatically reducing its carbon footprint by shifting to a flexible pouch for its newest line of USDA Organic barbeque sauces. As the first company in the condiment aisle to debut the inverted flexible squeeze pouch, the brand is setting the bar for sustainability in a category dominated by rigid glass and plastic bottles.

In partnership with Glenroy, the company responsible for producing the new squeeze pouches, Uncle Dougie’s worked with the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) to measure the environmental footprint and sustainability of squeeze pouches against typical glass barbeque sauce bottles. Results of this study show that the squeeze pouches^*:

• Reduce fossil fuel usage by 65%
• Reduce greenhouse emissions by 78%
• Reduce overall water usage by 80%

“We wanted to understand our environmental impact from a holistic standpoint and look for ways to reduce our natural resource consumption as we launched these organic items,” said Rob Johnson, CEO of Uncle Dougie’s. “It’s important to make an impact where we can, and our fans expect us to do so. This package is a huge upgrade for convenience and usability, and proves you can bring meaningful innovation to consumers and do good for the planet at the same time.”

The comparative analysis conducted by NMI utilized COMPASS^® software, the industry standard in measuring environmental impact. COMPASS was developed in collaboration with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition in 2006 and is continuously updated to reflect new materials, processes and impacts. The tool measures the impact of the raw materials, manufacturing processes, transportation and end-of-life disposition (where the package will end up) so that environmental performance criteria can be taken into consideration during package development and design.

“We commend Uncle Dougie’s for spearheading this study and being a thought leader and change-maker in the category,” said Amanda Dahlby, Marketing Manager at Glenroy. “The Environmental Protection Agency considers source reduction to be the single most effective method of waste management because it’s a true preventive measure and addresses pollution at its source. At Glenroy, we equally support this vision.”

While the inverted squeeze pouches are not yet recyclable, the packaging is far more sustainable than glass due to its significantly lower carbon footprint and natural resource utilization. Recyclable, flexible food grade plastic has yet to be developed, but Uncle Dougie’s will be in a unique position to immediately adopt this type of plastic once it becomes available.

“We did take recyclability into consideration, but glass recycling is becoming more and more difficult for consumers, and in a lot of cases it’s worse for natural resource consumption,” added Johnson. “Examining our sustainability practices from holistic standpoint allows us to make smart decisions that will more significantly reduce our carbon footprint and do better to leave the world a better place than we found it.”

“Congratulations to Uncle Dougie’s for conducting the analysis and taking this tangible step toward more sustainable packaging,” said Diane Ray, VP of Strategic Innovation and NMI.

About Original Uncle Dougie’s, LLC

At Uncle Dougie’s, we stand by a “no crap” commitment to clean-label integrity. We believe that the fresh, wholesome, natural riches of the Earth should be carefully stewarded, and that means no cheap, profit-driven shortcuts, no crappy industrial chemicals and no artificial additives, cheap gluten extenders or GMOs. Our sauces, mixes and seasonings are the product of a commitment to delivering the highest-quality, best-tasting food complements on the planet, and everyone has a seat at our table. For more good, clean fun, visit: https://originaluncledougies.com.

About SCCventures

SCCventures is the private equity unit of Schafer Condon Carter (SCC), an independent creative and technology agency that delivers transformative brand and business ideas to drive results for its clients. SCCventures provides funding and intellectual capital for start-ups and growth brands in the food and technology sectors. Portfolio investments include Uncle Dougie’s, and Social Market Analytics. SCC agency clients include Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, National Pork Board, Pepsico, Chicago Cubs, Ideal Industries, Friendly’s Restaurants and Solo Cup Company among others. Headquartered in a landmark building in Chicago’s historic West Loop district, SCC has a full-time staff of over 120. To learn more about SCC, visit: https://schafercondoncarter.com/