Pattycake Bakery's Green Packaging Shows a Commitment to Sustainability

Starting a small business in these hard economic times can be tough. Starting a bakery with a commitment to both tasteful products and green practices can be even harder. Amazingly, Pattycake Bakery in Columbus, Ohio has done both with gusto.

Pattycake Bakery, founded in 2003, has since its inception held a commitment to creating whole-grain, cruelty-free, healthy baked goods. They eschewed using trans-fats before major grocery chains banned them, and practice recycling, composting, and bicycle delivery of their products to local businesses. Jennie Scheinbach, owner and founder of Pattycake, has always shown concern with reducing her carbon footprint on the planet, in life and with her business. "It was a founding principle of Pattycake's from our inception to do things as sustainably and ethically as possible," she said.

Out of passion and commitment, innovation was born with Pattycake's new packaging. Truly a first of its kind, Pattycake offers 100 percent biodegradable packaging. Featured in Modern Baking and Baking Management Magazines, Pattycake delivers its baked goods to local businesses in "Natureflex", a compostable form of cellophane called paraphane. The innovative material is manufactured by Atlapac, a local Columbus company. This contributes even more to the Green aspect, being manufactured locally. The paraphane will literally dissolve within 90 days of composting.

Not stopping there, Jennie and her dedicated professionals tested several types of labels, finally working with a local designer to create a wraparound label design that is the first of its kind. The new design offers aesthetic appeal, but most importantly, does not contain the harmful glue residues that many sticker-based labels contain. The paper is 100-percent recycled, uses soy inks, and is also compostable. Pattycake only uses natural, wheat-based non-toxic glue. It is innovation like this that has landed Pattycake awards and honors, such as Baking Management's Innovation Award for Bakery Product and Packaging.

Jennie has said that a major consideration in making the change to 100 percent Green packaging was the cost, but feels it is a change worth the extra expenditure. Many of Pattycake Bakery's customers show a marked concern and consideration for the environment, and going that extra step to them makes Pattycake a business worth supporting.

It is encouraging to have progressive businesses popping up in the Midwest to challenge the public perception and move towards a sustainable future. Having been a customer of Pattycake's on repeat occasions, I can testify to the deliciousness of their baked goods, and to the good ingredients that go into them. I can truly say Pattycake bakery is an example of a modern business with a globally-minded perspective. I can only hope that more businesses will see their practices as an example and follow suit, leading America into sustainability.