What are the LeafSide pouches made of?

Thanks for your question! As someone interested in eating whole food plant-based meals, you’re probably aware that the single most effective action and lifestyle change that any of us can do for the environment is to avoid eating animal products. As one of many supporting scientific studies, this recent massive Oxford University study affirms the power of plant-based eating for the environment: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/31/avoiding-meat-and-dairy-is-single-biggest-way-to-reduce-your-impact-on-earth We are proud to offer meals that help both human health and our planet in the most effective way known to science.

Regarding packaging, in particular, minimizing materials and waste is an ongoing research project at LeafSide.

• Currently, the stand-up pouches we use are made with BPA-free polyethylene and polypropylene.
• Compared to meal-kits (with individually wrapped ingredients) and many store-bought foods, the amount of packaging used for one full LeafSide meal is much less.

We are still looking for a packaging solution we’re totally happy with, e.g. 100% recyclable with no loss of material utility. Currently, it is a very difficult materials engineering problem to make a package that keeps out air, moisture, and sunlight — while also being easily recyclable, or being safely degradable with just air, moisture, and sunlight.

The packs can be recycled by some facilities, but you would need to check with your local municipality for this. Also, major stores (e.g. Target, Walmart, and some grocery stores) do accept these bags for recycling as well. We also have numerous LeafSiders who re-use our packaging!

Nevertheless, packaging and materials innovation continues rapidly, and we are actively testing more eco-friendly packaging options at this time. Please let us know what other questions you have, and we hope to see you on the LeafSide!