Hostess Sees Results After Reducing Carbon Footprint

One change in a snack packaging, the Hostess Donettes bags, in 2021, already shows impact on the company’s carbon footprint. Hostess Brands, Inc. removed the tin-tie from all Hostess Donettes bags part of its efforts to become more sustainable.

According to the company’s Corporate Responsibility Report, the change to Donettes packaging design will allow the annual reduction of 215,000 lbs of steel, 151,000 lbs of plastic and 700 lbs of glue.

The Donettes tin-tie removal initiative is part of Hostess’ broader package lifestyle management program.

“As a packaged food company, we are keenly aware of our potential impact on the environment from energy consumed to packaging used and discarded,” the company noted in the report. “We are continuously engaging with our packaging suppliers to find ways to purchase more material made from recycled content; to develop alternative ways to package that reduces non-recyclable materials and to reduce packaging needs without reducing the quality of our products.”

The company has made significant progress, including a transition to 100% recyclable folding cartons and 100% recyclable cardboard. Hostess also said about 60% of the cardboard it purchases is made from recycled content, which is up from 40% a year ago. In addition, about 80% of the packaging the company uses and sells to customers and consumers is recyclable.