Compostable Packaging

Why Compostable Packaging Matters in the Outdoor Industry – And Why We Chose It

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At Wildfire Spice Co, we created our powdered hot sauce because we love being outside—and we wanted to make backcountry meals way more exciting. But we also believe that enjoying the outdoors shouldn’t come at the cost of harming it.

That’s why we made the deliberate decision to use fully compostable packaging for every unit we sell.

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The Problem with Outdoor Packaging

If you’ve ever opened a freeze-dried meal on a backpacking trip, you’ve probably noticed something: almost none of it comes in sustainable packaging. Outdoor food brands—especially in the ultralight and backpacking space—still rely almost entirely on plastic, foil-lined, and non-recyclable pouches.

These packages are lightweight and shelf-stable, but they don’t go away. They sit in landfills. They end up in incinerators. And sometimes, they get left behind in the very places we go to escape modern waste.

We didn’t want to add to that problem. We didn’t want our product—no matter how delicious—to be part of a long-term waste stream. So we asked: What’s the most responsible way to package a small-batch, high-flavor, shelf-stable backpacking product?

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Our Solution: Compostable Packaging

Our pouches are made from plant-based, compostable materials. They’re designed to break down naturally in a commercial composting facility. That means after you’ve added the fire to your meal, your empty pouch can become soil—not waste.

Even though compostable packaging is more expensive and harder to source, we believe it’s worth it. This decision reflects our values and our long-term vision: to create products for outdoor lovers without compromising the places we love.

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Few Meal Brands Are Doing This—And That Needs to Change

We’re one of very few food companies in the outdoor space using compostable packaging right now. We hope that changes. Because it’s time we hold ourselves—and the brands we support—to higher standards. 

Being a responsible outdoor brand means caring as much about your packaging as you do about your ingredients.

We’re proud to be part of a shift toward sustainability in this space. And we’re always looking for ways to improve, reduce our footprint, and share better backcountry meals with less waste.

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Thanks for being part of the movement. We will continue to improve our packaging and sustainable practices as we learn and grow. 

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Wildfire Spice Co