Close
Thursday, May 29, 2025

Hydropac Leads the Charge in Sustainable Cold Chain Packaging with New “Switching Sides” Initiative

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

– Leave Message for Us to Get Back

Related stories

As the food, beverage and pet food sectors intensify their commitment to sustainability, Hydropac Managing Director, Colin Rowland, is urging brands to rethink their cold chain packaging choices.

The company’s new Switching Sides initiative encourages businesses to swap gel-based ice packs in favour of water-based alternatives, offering 20% off first orders to make the switch even easier.

While many gel-based ice packs are marketed as ‘reusable’ and ‘eco-friendly,’ the reality is that these products pose significant environmental and food safety risks, including microplastic pollution, water contamination, and food spoilage from leaks.

Hydropac’s Switching Sides campaign – an industry-wide initiative – has been launched to combat this growing issue and aims to reduce waste, raise awareness, and encourage a shift towards truly sustainable cold chain solutions.

The Hidden Dangers of Gel Packs

Many brands – particularly those in the meal prep, direct-to-consumer (DTC), fresh food delivery, and pet food industries – use gel ice packs as a core part of their cold chain logistics. These ice packs are often inaccurately labelled as ‘sustainable’ and ‘reusable’ and Hydropac warns that these misleading eco claims should be a growing concern.

“The issue goes beyond greenwashing; it’s a real environmental and food safety threat,” says Colin Rowland.

“Gel-based ice packs often contain polymer derivatives, including sodium polyacrylate – the same substance used in nappies – which does not break down naturally. If disposed of incorrectly, it can clog drains, contaminate soil and waterways, and ultimately re-enter the food chain through microplastic pollution.”

Leaking gel packs can also contaminate food during transit, creating hygiene and safety concerns, particularly for raw meats, seafood, and perishable goods. The gel can seep into packaging which compromises food safety, leading to waste.

Worse still, some brands instruct consumers to pour the gel down the drain or use it for watering plants, which is both unsafe and environmentally irresponsible. When disposed of incorrectly, they release microplastics into our water systems, impacting aquatic life and entering the food chain.

The ‘Switching Sides’ Initiative: A Smarter, Greener Choice

Hydropac’s Switching Sides initiative has been designed to help businesses transition to truly sustainable cold chain solutions. The campaign encourages brands to switch to water ice packs with compelling environmental benefits:

  • Up to 90% reduction in microplastic leakage
  • Made using recycled content
  • 100% recyclable LDPE film

To support this shift, Hydropac is offering a 20% discount on first orders of water ice packs, making it easier for businesses to make the change.

Water-based ice packs contain only natural filtered and UV sterilised water, feature recyclable outer packaging and have both refillable and reuseable options. They are also safer for food transit, and better for the environment when it comes to content disposal.

Measurable Impact with the Carbon Offset Calculator

To support its campaign, Hydropac has launched a Carbon Offset Calculator, which helps companies measure their potential sustainability savings when switching to water-based ice packs.

Users can estimate the carbon footprint of their current gel pack usage, see how much they could reduce it by switching to water ice packs, and even view their equivalent in trees saved – a useful tool considering the pressure many businesses are under to report and meet ESG goals.

The Future of Cold Chain Packaging

With increasing pressure from eco-conscious consumers and evolving regulatory frameworks around packaging waste, now is the time for brands to rethink their approach to cold chain packaging and ensure their sustainability claims hold up under scrutiny.

“Consumers are becoming far more educated about what ‘sustainability’ actually means,” adds Rowland. “They’re actively rejecting brands that engage in greenwashing, and misleading environmental claims can damage reputations and erode trust.”

“Sustainability in the cold chain can’t be a tick-box exercise,” concludes Rowland. “It’s time for the industry to step up, reject greenwashing, the significant environmental and food safety risks gel packs bring, and embrace real change.”

Ready to make the switch? Visit Hydropac to learn more about the Switching Sides initiative and claim a 20% discount on your first water pack order

Hydropac
Company Logo

Latest stories

Related stories

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

– Leave Message for Us to Get Back