SUPPLIER
ZENPACK
Zenpack elevates brands with functional, beautiful, and sustainable packaging to create memorable unboxing experiences, share knowledge, and advance the packaging industry for a better tomorrow. The company's global network ensures each project's success throughout the entire packaging strategy—from design and structural engineering to fulfilment and channel compliance.
SUSTAINABILITY PURPOSE
Zenpack specialises in eco-friendly and cutting-edge materials. Going beyond just materials, Zenpack evaluates every step in the packaging process to reduce its carbon footprint and also uses industry-leading operations and intelligent logistics to ensure the entire packaging strategy meets the client’s sustainability goals.
Established
2015
Headquarters
San Jose, CA, USA
Employees
20
Product Category
Packaging
Distribution
Worldwide
Website
REAL CHANGE IN ACTION
PACKAGING EFFICIENCY
Zenpack is an award-winning manufacturer and supplier of more sustainable packaging. Based in California, and with offices in New York, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, the brand has received awards from Dieline, Core77 Design, Pentawards, iF Design, Clio Cannabis, and International Design Excellence. Last year, Zenpack was awarded the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification through which their packaging products have been accredited as fully recyclable by the FSC Chain of Custody Procedures. The FSC certification demonstrates the reduced impact of the company’s products on both the environment and biodiversity compared to common alternatives. The FSC accreditation also demonstrates that Zenpack uphold core labour requirements in the supply chain. With emphasis on biodegradable and reusable materials, less than one quarter of the company’s total packaging composition is made of plastic. In addition, Zenpack and its cross-industry clientele have committed to phasing out plastics entirely by 2030.
ETHICS & FAIR OPERATING PRACTICES
Zenpack’s extensive employee handbook includes a wide range of human rights policies that also extend to its business partners. With support provided by a human resources provider, Insperity, the handbook covers a robust code of conduct that prohibits all forms of bribery. The code of conduct also ensures strict oversight measures to monitor political contributions, charitable donations, and sponsorships. Internal whistleblowing procedures are reinforced by a dedicated hotline and anonymous grievance mechanisms addressing harassment and bullying. Zenpack staff are required to complete a workplace harassment prevention course in conjunction with Insperity. A multitude of business ethics policies cover how to identify and prevent conflicts of interest in the workplace. Any updates made to both the Zenpack handbook and code of conduct are frequently discussed across departments. Once signed off, the management team communicates updates to all staff, as well as external partners when applicable.
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
As a packaging design agency, Zenpack consistently demonstrates innovative prowess. By creating and supplying FSC certified and pre-/post-consumer recycled paper products for its clients, Zenpack also provides tangible support to company branding. Services range from conceptualising company logos to overseeing logistics by optimising pallet loads to reduce carbon footprints. As a supplier of more sustainable materials such as ocean plastic textiles, biodegradable trays, moulded pulp, and child-resistant bottles, boxes, and containers, Zenpack is continuously developing distinctive B2B value propositions. For instance, its cross-industry recognised Zenlock rigid box offers child-resistant protection, with product lines drawing on materials such as upcycled plastic bottles that originate in polluted waterways and foam found within mushrooms. From rolling out design work with soy-based inks to providing environmentally conscious formatting options, Zenpack’s multifaceted packaging solutions can even be used as small household recycling bins and compost collectors.
Zenpack is an award-winning manufacturer and supplier of more sustainable packaging. Based in California, and with offices in New York, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, the brand has received awards from Dieline, Core77 Design, Pentawards, iF Design, Clio Cannabis, and International Design Excellence. Last year, Zenpack was awarded the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification through which their packaging products have been accredited as fully recyclable by the FSC Chain of Custody Procedures. The FSC certification demonstrates the reduced impact of the company’s products on both the environment and biodiversity compared to common alternatives. The FSC accreditation also demonstrates that Zenpack uphold core labour requirements in the supply chain. With emphasis on biodegradable and reusable materials, less than one quarter of the company’s total packaging composition is made of plastic. In addition, Zenpack and its cross-industry clientele have committed to phasing out plastics entirely by 2030.
Zenpack’s extensive employee handbook includes a wide range of human rights policies that also extend to its business partners. With support provided by a human resources provider, Insperity, the handbook covers a robust code of conduct that prohibits all forms of bribery. The code of conduct also ensures strict oversight measures to monitor political contributions, charitable donations, and sponsorships. Internal whistleblowing procedures are reinforced by a dedicated hotline and anonymous grievance mechanisms addressing harassment and bullying. Zenpack staff are required to complete a workplace harassment prevention course in conjunction with Insperity. A multitude of business ethics policies cover how to identify and prevent conflicts of interest in the workplace. Any updates made to both the Zenpack handbook and code of conduct are frequently discussed across departments. Once signed off, the management team communicates updates to all staff, as well as external partners when applicable.
As a packaging design agency, Zenpack consistently demonstrates innovative prowess. By creating and supplying FSC certified and pre-/post-consumer recycled paper products for its clients, Zenpack also provides tangible support to company branding. Services range from conceptualising company logos to overseeing logistics by optimising pallet loads to reduce carbon footprints. As a supplier of more sustainable materials such as ocean plastic textiles, biodegradable trays, moulded pulp, and child-resistant bottles, boxes, and containers, Zenpack is continuously developing distinctive B2B value propositions. For instance, its cross-industry recognised Zenlock rigid box offers child-resistant protection, with product lines drawing on materials such as upcycled plastic bottles that originate in polluted waterways and foam found within mushrooms. From rolling out design work with soy-based inks to providing environmentally conscious formatting options, Zenpack’s multifaceted packaging solutions can even be used as small household recycling bins and compost collectors.
A WORD FROM ONE OF THE CO-FOUNDERS
We founded Zenpack as an eco-friendly, full-service creative packaging agency. For us, efficiency, sustainability, and careful consideration of a product's end-of-life are essential tenets of good sustainable package design. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability goes beyond just materials and encompasses structural engineering, reducing overall carbon footprint, and sharing our knowledge and experiences to inspire our clients to make eco-friendly choices.
LEO CHAO
CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
WHY POSITIVE LUXURY
As a founder, one of my primary focuses is on fostering positive growth. I am deeply committed to transforming not only our company’s operations and culture but also inspiring others to adopt a sustainability-driven approach. Innovation is a powerful driving force for us. Traditionally, sustainability has been about reducing, but I am determined to push the boundaries and encourage ourselves and the entire packaging industry to explore fresh perspectives and reimagine the way we work and produce. Undergoing the ESG+ certification is the natural next step and will bring us closer to likeminded brands and companies.
LEO CHAO
CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PATHWAY TO HIGHER STANDARDS
Zenpack is committed to leading by example and spearheading industry-wide change. After receiving their FSC certification, they continue to conduct internal evaluations to optimise resource usage and allocate significant resources toward research and development efforts, focusing on innovative materials. The business hopes to drive change in the industry by pioneering new business models to help other brands and companies better understand policies and establish higher goals and standards within the private sector.