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One Clean Carton®, from Colbert Packaging Corporation, once again passed a series of laboratory tests to confirm its suitability for pharmaceutical and food-safe secondary packaging. New for 2026, Colbert submitted test samples using both standard SBS board and SBS comprised of 30% post-consumer recycled fiber. Both samples consisted of agri-based inks and water-based coatings and adhesives, using offset lithographic printing technology. Additionally, both carton samples included an agri-based offset printed ‘Instructions for Use’ insert glued inside.
All components of One Clean Carton, including inks, coatings and adhesives, are tested to ensure they meet environmental and safety standards to be considered clean and safe for indirect food and drug contact. In order to state the Clean Carton claim, packaging samples underwent comprehensive analytical testing. This new development of incorporating post-consumer recycled content paperboard lends new insight into the tested and verified ‘clean’ nature of this safe packaging solution.
“Our customers tasked with sourcing safe and sustainable packaging have more options in choosing One Clean Carton with confidence,” says Ryan Hart, vice president of sales and marketing. “This round of independent lab testing proved that paperboard containing PCR fiber meets the standards for clean, low migration, low odor, low VOC that is critical to secondary packaging for many healthcare and food products.”
All tests were conducted under accelerated conditions (worst case), measuring potential extractables, volatile out-gas products, semi-volatile out-gas products, and sensory (odor) evaluation.
Colbert’s One Clean Carton is derived from the following components:
• Paperboard is the foundation for One Clean Carton. Colbert’s standard SBS, uses Clearwater Candesce® C1S, ensuring only virgin fiber with no mechanical pulp in a middle ply. The composition of this paperboard provides for superior performance on press, resulting in less waste and lower consumption of raw materials and ink, which supports sustainability and recyclability as an added benefit. In addition to samples run on Candesce, Colbert added a print run using Clearwater ReMagine® SBS, containing 30% post-consumer recycled fiber – a truly sustainable choice.
• The agri-based inks comply with the Swiss Ordinance regarding food-safe inks.
• The aqueous coatings originate in the United States and meet or exceed U.S. federal and state guidelines.
• Finally, One Clean Carton water-based adhesives meet or exceed V.O.C. emission requirements.
Demonstrating its commitment to environmentally-friendly paperboard packaging and best practices, Colbert Packaging first submitted One Clean Carton samples for independent scientific testing in the fall of 2018, and continues periodic testing.
For more details about One Clean Carton and the specific lab testing criteria involved, download a free white paper at www.colbertpkg.com.
