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Packaging with a purpose and personality

October 1, 2025

Celebrating World Sustainability Day on October 26

As we look ahead to World Sustainability Day on October 26, we’re reminded that sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a belief system. At Lamb Weston, every step we take, from the fields where our potatoes grow to the bags that carry our fries, reflects our commitment to reducing waste, protecting the planet, and creating packaging that’s as purposeful as it is practical. We’re proud to be part of a global movement that champions innovation, responsibility, and care for the Earth. 

Packaging that performs and protects

Our paper fry bags are made from bio-based, fully recyclable materials and are engineered to perform from packing to frying. We put them through rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest standards of durability, safety, and sustainability.

Learn more about how we create innovative packaging on our podcast with Michael Grandinetti, our Senior Manager of Packaging Engineering.

But we didn’t stop there. 

We’ve partnered with local universities to explore biodegradable packaging made from potato peels, a byproduct of our own production process. It’s a bold step toward a circular system, where even scraps are valuable. Because at Lamb Weston, we believe there’s no such thing as waste when it comes to potatoes.

Why it matters more than ever

Today’s guests aren’t just hungry for great food—they’re hungry for purpose. And the numbers prove it:

  • 85% of Gen Z and 84% of Millennials say sustainability influences their purchasing decisions.1

  • Nearly 40% are willing to pay up to 5% more, and 25% would pay 10% or more for sustainably packaged products.2

  • Quick-service restaurants that adopt eco-friendly packaging are seeing increased customer loyalty and preference.3

  • 80% agree foodservice can make a big environmental impact by reducing waste.4

  • 62% of consumers are more likely to visit restaurants with visible waste-reducing practices like reusable containers.4

Sustainable packaging isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a business advantage. And operators are leaning into it:

  • 81% of restaurant operators agree that reducing food waste saves a restaurant money.5

  • 77% see a link between sustainable practices and an improved guest experience.5

  • 71% agree that the foodservice industry can have a big impact on the environment by working together to reduce waste.5

  • 67% agree that restaurant guests notice and appreciate a restaurant’s efforts to reduce food waste.5

Two men handling a recyclable bag
2 Alebrijes-Mexico-Founders sustainability campaign

Operator recycling made easy

We’ve made it simple to give our paper fry bags a second life:

  1. Toss them in with your recycled cardboard.
  2. Or take them to your local recycling facility.
  3. They’re broken down, pulped, dried, and ready to be transformed into something new.

From waste to wonder

In Mexico, we took sustainability a step further by turning recycled paper fry bags into  vibrant works of art.

We collaborated with two local artists to create paper-mâché alebrijes. Bright, mystical creatures that symbolize imagination, energy, and cultural pride. These sculptures are a celebration of inventive thinking, creativity, community, and the power of upcycling.

To share the magic, Lamb Weston Mexico hosted a giveaway of these one-of-a-kind creations from June 23 to July 18, 2025. The response was incredible, proving that sustainability can spark joy and connection in unexpected ways.

A bag with a bigger story

Every paper fry bag we produce carries more than fries; it carries a message. A message that sustainability can be smart, stylish, and full of soul. That waste can become wonder. And even the smallest choices, like how we package our food, can make a big impact.

So next time you hold one of our paper bags, think beyond the fryer. Think about the journey it’s been on and the future it’s helping shape.

Sources: 

1. McKinsey & Company, 2025: “Sustainability in Packaging: Global Trends”

2. First Insight & Wharton School, 2024: “The State of Consumer Sustainability Preferences”

3. QSR Magazine, 2024: “Sustainable Packaging Drives Loyalty in Quick-Service Restaurants”

4. Source: Datassential, Food Waste: The Consumer Perspective Hotshot Report, August 2025

5. Source: Datassential, Food Waste: The Operator Perspective Report, August 2025

© 2025 Lamb Weston, Inc. | All rights reserved.