Pirate Brands Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar Snacks

Scanned March 2026 · food · medium confidence

This Pirate's Booty snack doesn't make any specific sustainability claims on its packaging, which means it's not actively greenwashing, but it's also not highlighting any positive efforts. While the parent company, The Hershey Company, has some good sustainability goals and reports, this product itself doesn't communicate those efforts, leaving consumers in the dark. There's a lot of room to share more about their journey!

How do the five signals break down?

Each signal is worth 20 points — the method is public at how we score.

What is on the label?

Primary claim: "None visible on packaging" — a claim, not a certification. The difference is the whole game: see the cert guide.

What the claims cover

• No misleading 'eco' claims on the packaging.
• The parent company (Hershey) does have corporate sustainability goals and reports.

What is still missing

• Specifics about ingredient sourcing (like corn or cheese) are not mentioned. Companies often omit this because tracing complex supply chains can be really tough.
• Information about the packaging's recyclability or recycled content is missing. Flexible plastic packaging is an industry-wide challenge, and many companies don't highlight it if it's not easily recyclable.
• Details on the product's carbon footprint are absent. Calculating and disclosing Scope 3 emissions (the biggest part!) is a huge undertaking for any company.
• Any third-party certifications for the product or its ingredients are not visible. Getting these certifications can be a long and costly process.

Where the footprint lives

Scope 1 — direct operations: Scope 1 emissions are what a company burns directly, like the fuel in their own factories or delivery trucks.

Scope 2 — purchased energy: Scope 2 emissions come from the energy a company buys to power its operations, like electricity for its offices and plants.

Scope 3 — the supply chain: Scope 3 emissions are the biggest piece of the puzzle, covering everything upstream and downstream — from the farms growing the corn and making the cheese, to how you dispose of the packaging. This is where 70-90% of a product's total impact usually hides, and it's almost never on the label because it's so complex to track.

Most of a product's emissions sit upstream in Scope 3 — the scope breakdown explains why that decides the score.

Smart swaps and tips

• Look for products that clearly state their packaging is recyclable, compostable, or made from recycled content.
• Check for third-party certifications like USDA Organic, Fair Trade, or Rainforest Alliance, especially for ingredients like cocoa or corn.
• Visit the brand's website (or parent company's website) to see if they have a dedicated sustainability section or ESG report.
• Support brands that are transparent about their challenges and their plans to improve, even if they're not perfect yet.

Numbers from a scan of the real label, March 2026. Holding this product — or its shelf neighbor? Scan it and compare the five signals side by side. New to the method? Start with the rules of thumb.