Spartan Store Brand Eggs Now in Green Packaging

Spartan Stores has introduced new recyclable and biodegradable molded fiber packaging for its Spartan brand eggs across its 100 retail stores and the majority of its independent supplied stores, replacing Styrofoam cartons that aren't biodegradable.

According to the grocer, molded fiber protects the environment because it's produced from recycled paper -- old newsprint, corrugated boxes and a variety of other plant fibers. The cartons can be recycled along with the normal waste paper stream.

Alan Hartline, EVP of merchandising, describes the packaging as "much better for the environment and [offering] consumers a 'green' alternative to plastic.

"In fact," he added, "based on last year's sales of Spartan brand eggs, we anticipate that we will keep approximately 675,000 pounds of pulp (fiber) for the new packaging from the landfills and save consumers nearly $100,000 year by offering this environmentally friendly packaging. This packaging makes good business sense, and is good for the environment and consumers."

The molded fiber packaging provides other benefits as well. It cushions the egg and provides impact protection in transit and in storage, and absorb moisture.

Spartan distributes more than 40,000 private label and national brand products to approximately 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, and owns and operates 100 retail supermarkets in Michigan, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, Felpausch Food Centers and VG's Food and Pharmacy.