OUR PACKAGING

  • To be honest, we aren't huge fans of packaging here at Sun & Swell Foods.In fact, if we had it our way, there would be no packaging at all.Unfortunately, we live in a world where packaging is a necessity and we believe that in order to effectively slow the rate of climate change, we need to help slow the rate at which consumers are using single use plastics. We believe compostable packaging is the solution.

  • Today, we're proud to say that 100% of products sold on our website come in compostable packaging. We're a pioneer in the food industry when it comes to moving away from single-use packaging, and we are hopeful to soon see other brands follow our lead.Below you'll find more details on our packaging, and how to compost it.Please note that if you buy our products off our website (in retail stores or Amazon), we do have a handful of products that have not yet transitioned to compostable packaging (learn why here). We hope to have those products transitioned to compostable by the end of this year.

Sun & Swell Compostable Bag Send-back Program

We are thrilled to offer an easy way to ensure Sun & Swell compostable bags end up in the compost where they belong. With our compostable bag Send-Back program, you can send your used Sun & Swell bags back to us so we can properly compost them for you.

compost return mailer

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Add our Compostable Bag Return Mailer to your cart when you're checking out. When you add this option to your cart, we will send you a prepaid return envelope in your order which holds up to ~40 used Sun & Swell bags. Once you've filled your envelope with bags, simply stick it in the mail (USPS) to send back to us, and we will properly compost the bags for you!

CURIOUS ABOUT INDUSTRIAL OR HOME COMPOSTING?

Scroll down to the 'Additional Composting Options' section below.

Sun & Swell Compostable Bag Send-back Program

Frequently Asked Questions

IS THERE A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEND-BACK PROGRAM?

Yes, each prepaid return envelope costs $10 which covers the cost of the envelope, shipping costs to send the envelop back, and Sun & Swell's employee time. We priced this so we can break-even on this program.

HOW DOES SUN & SWELL COMPOST THE BAGS?

We have a few composting partners that work with us to compost our bags. We collect and sort all returned bags at our HQ in Ventura, CA, then send the bags off to our partners.

WHAT IF I LOSE MY SEND BACK ENVELOPE?

We can help. Email us at hello@sunandswellfoods.com and we can send you instructions on how to reprint your shipping label and return your bags.

IS THE ENVELOPE THE BAGS GO IN COMPOSTABLE?

Yes, and recyclable. 

I HAVE ACCESS TO COMPOSTING WHERE I LIVE - CAN I COMPOST THE BAGS MYSELF?

Yes! Please read the 'Additional Composting Options' section below for details to ensure your bags get properly composted.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SHIPPING BAGS BACK FOR COMPOSTING?

The bags will get returned to our warehouse in Southern California before we ship off to our composting partners. We know this isn't the perfect option for everyone - especially if you aren't based on the West Coast. But we also know this solution is better than our bags not being composted at all. Our ultimate vision as we grow as a company is to partner with compost facilities in every region, so your bags can be returned directly to the nearest facility and we can minimize how far the return mailer has to travel.

Other Composting Options

  • INDUSTRIAL COMPOST

    Our bags will decompose within 180 days in an industrial compost setting.
    To find an industrial compost facility, go towww.findacomposter.com.

    Make sure to call the composting facility in advance to see if they accept packaging like ours, as some compost facilities only accept food scraps / select other materials.

  • HOME COMPOSTING

    Our packaging is approved and tested by our packaging suppliers and team for home composting, however, it is not home compostable certified, and we cannot guarantee a timeline as everyone’s home compost has varying degrees of humidity, heat, and presence of bacteria/microorganisms. 

    Therefor, we cannot advise that you compost at home and encourage you to use our Send-Back Program or compost in an industrial facility.

ADDITIONAL COMPOSTING OPTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BAG IS COMPOSTABLE?

100% of the bags sold on our website are compostable.

We do have a handful of products that we sell off of our website (in retail stores) that have not yet transitioned to compostable packaging (learn why here). If you buy Sun & Swell off of our website, you'll know it's compostable if it has a 'Compostable Packaging' icon on the front of it.

WHAT DOES COMPOSTABLE MEAN?

Compostability describes material which biodegrades (breaks down) within a time-frame of 180 days under composting conditions - high humidity, high temperature and the presence of microorganisms and bacteria. The packaging can be treated like organic waste and will decompose naturally if properly composted - just like a banana peel!

HOW DO I DISPOSE A COMPOSTABLE PACKAGE?

You should think of our packaging like a banana peel.  Ideally, you can dispose of it in a compost bin.  However, It’s important to highlight that - just like a banana peel - compostable packaging is not recyclable.If you don’t have access to composting, please utilize our Compostable Bag Return mailer to send your bags back to us for composting.

WHERE DO I FIND A COMPOST BIN?

Some larger cities have industrial compost facilities, but not all do. You can locate your nearest compost facility at www.findacomposter.com. 

It Is always best to call your compost facility in advance and ask if they take compostable bags, as some only take food scraps, leaves, etc.

CAN I DECOMPOSE OF SUN & SWELL PACKAGING IN HOME COMPOST?

Our packaging is approved and tested by our packaging suppliers for home composting, however, it is not home compostable certified, and we cannot guarantee a timeline as everyone’s home compost has varying degrees of humidity, heat, and presence of bacteria/microorganisms. 

Thus, we encourage you to use our Send-Back Program or compost in an industrial facility (see above) to compost our bags.

WILL COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING DECOMPOSE IN LANDFILL?

Our compostable packaging acts just like a banana peel - and all other organic waste.  Organic waste is not intended for landfill.  Not only does it take up room, but it also releases methane gas.