Sustainability

  • A close up of Unilever's logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Unilever reality-checked its 2025 plastic packaging targets. Will more companies do the same?

    Brands and packaging makers have more knowledge and resources today than when they coalesced around common sustainability targets. Emerging regulations will also reshape goal-setting, industry observers say.

    By • April 25, 2024
  • Hands hold an empty wine bottle
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by O-I Glass
    Image attribution tooltip

    O-I to supply returnable wine bottles

    O-I Packaging Solutions is partnering with Oregon-based startup Revino to circulate refillable glass bottles designed for up to 50 uses.

    By • April 23, 2024
  • Boxes of General Mills cereal are displayed on a grocery store shelf.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    General Mills’ packaging recyclability inches up, food-grade PCR use poses a challenge

    The company reported incremental progress on making all of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030. It also said that packaging constitutes 8% of its value chain’s GHG emissions.

    By • April 18, 2024
  • Plastic bottles baled for recycling
    Image attribution tooltip
    OperationShooting via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    REMADE conference explores the future of the circular economy

    The conference, featuring keynote speaker Ellen MacArthur, aimed to translate scientific research into tangible circular economy solutions for the researchers, government officials and private companies in attendance.

    By Megan Quinn • April 18, 2024
  • An array of John Paul Mitchell hair care products in green packaging.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of John Paul Mitchell Systems
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging innovations: John Paul Mitchell’s revamped hair care line, Essentia’s paper mattress wrap

    Plus, Labelmaster, Firstleaf and ForeFront Supply Chain Solutions introduce a safer shipping product, lighter bottles and food packaging with PCR, respectively.

    By • April 17, 2024
  • Clemson University
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Clemson University
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    Design and sustainability opportunities draw in next generation of packaging students

    Greg Batt, who serves as director of the packaging science program at Clemson University, also highlighted the growing role of data.

    By • April 15, 2024
  • A man browses shelves of beverages at a supermarket
    Image attribution tooltip
    SolStock via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What brands and retailers are saying about sustainable packaging in 2024

    General Mills, Ikea, Walgreens, Starbucks, Hain Celestial and Del Monte are some of the retailers and brands that have shared updates on packaging changes, new targets and annual progress in sustainability reports during 2024.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated April 22, 2024
  • Two hands holding two cups of Joyba bubble tea.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Del Monte Foods on April 11, 2024
    Image attribution tooltip

    Del Monte details progress on lightweighting, PCR in 2023 ESG report

    The CPG company began adding postconsumer recycled material to some containers, but it did not report its progress toward some other key packaging sustainability targets.

    By • Updated April 11, 2024
  • Two reusable coffee cups at a coffee shop
    Image attribution tooltip
    Thurtell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    EPA event spotlights reusable food ware and Perpetual’s city projects

    A Wednesday event noted millions more available in pollution prevention grants, some of which could support reuse. Perpetual detailed progress toward establishing food ware reuse systems in four U.S. cities.

    By • April 11, 2024
  • Two paper cups with Delta Air Lines' branded messaging.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
    Image attribution tooltip

    Aviation industry group recommends how plastic reduction can take off

    Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are among the carriers testing ways to reduce single-use plastic with strategies including substrate switches and reusable cups.

    By • April 10, 2024
  • A 24-pack of beverage cans sitting in a cardboard base with a fiber wrapper around them.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    5 packaging innovation trends to watch in 2024: SPC

    AI, digital labeling and “paperization” top the movements highlighted in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s inaugural Packaging Innovation Trends Report.

    By • April 9, 2024
  • Rows of industrial hemp growing in a farm field.
    Image attribution tooltip
    AndrisTkachenko via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A

    Is hemp the next revolution for sustainable packaging? Startup element6 Dynamics thinks so.

    CEO Kimberly Kovacs details the company’s push to use industrial hemp for making paper and packaging, which she says is a more sustainable option than tree pulp.

    By • April 8, 2024
  • Speakers sit on a stage with a conference presentation in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Domestic PCR-virgin resin battle faces global headwinds but finds local remedies

    PCR markets are still facing competition with virgin resin and oversupply headwinds, but future recycled content policy effects and changes to contracts could help, said speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference.

    By Megan Quinn • April 5, 2024
  • A box of Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime herbal tea bags
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Celestial Seasonings
    Image attribution tooltip

    Free the tea: Celestial Seasonings is latest brand to slash plastic overwrap

    Plastic overwrap was a legacy process for Celestial Seasonings, which recently redesigned its boxes. The U.S. Plastics Pact’s executive director said more brands should ask whether outer plastic wrap is needed.

    By • April 5, 2024
  • A Costco rotisserie chicken in a flexible plastic bag with red and black branded messaging.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Cesar Canizales
    Image attribution tooltip

    Costco tests a switch from rigid to flexible packaging for its rotisserie chickens

    Costco anticipates the substrate switch will reduce the plastic it uses for the chicken products by 75%, aligning with packaging guidelines it adopted last year. Its five-year action plan for plastics reduction is coming soon.

    By • Updated April 3, 2024
  • The top of a Pact Collective collection bin for recycling empty skincare and makeup containers
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Pact Collective
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sephora, Ulta recycling partner Pact reports lower diversion volumes, higher engagement in 2023

    Pact Collective attributed much of the volume decline to a year-over-year drop in the amount of obsolete inventory and unsellable goods collected. The nonprofit said this bulk material has huge potential for upcycling in 2024.

    By Hayley Lind • April 1, 2024
  • A pile of plastic bottles.
    Image attribution tooltip
    ABimagestudio via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Best practices for using rPET in beverage containers: ISBT

    “Everybody wants to utilize more recycled material,” but differences emerge based on output source and application, said Lee Malvitz, presenting for the International Society of Beverage Technologists during Pack Expo East.

    By • Updated April 3, 2024
  • A plastic bag made with postconsumer recycled bag holding romaine hearts, featuring the Andy Boy logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Emerald Packaging
    Image attribution tooltip

    Emerald bullish on PCR as produce packaging company marks transition

    Co-owner Jim Kelly is stepping down from his EVP role as he reflects on decades of innovation in the produce market. The family business looks to forge ahead on recycled content implementation in flexible packaging.

    By • March 26, 2024
  • Hain Celestial
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Hain Celestial
    Image attribution tooltip

    Material reduction, enhanced recyclability anchor Hain Celestial’s new packaging targets

    The CPG company behind Celestial Seasonings tea and Terra chips set targets to reduce virgin packaging materials and packaging waste while increasing recyclability.

    By • March 25, 2024
  • A boiler at a Georgia-Pacific containerboard manufacturing facility.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
    Image attribution tooltip

    4 packaging facilities receive EPA recognition for energy efficiency

    Energy Star certifications recognize the nation’s most energy-efficient manufacturing facilities, with only the top 25% most energy-efficient plants in their sector achieving this status.

    By • March 21, 2024
  • A person puts a fish in a fiber box.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by DS Smith
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging innovations: DS Smith’s fiber fish carrier, Monterey Mushrooms’ color change

    Plus, Chlorophyll Water ramps up its recycled content; Pregis flexes its fiber muscle; and Eco-Products combats composting contamination.

    By • March 15, 2024
  • A variety of shrink bands to seal jars and bottles that have compostable messaging printed on them.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Elevate Packaging
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Compostable packaging take-back programs aim to ease consumer burden, boost recovery

    As compostable packaging rollouts outpace access to collection, more companies are looking to make collection less confusing via mail-in or pick-up programs.

    By • March 13, 2024
  • Plastic waste on a sandy beach. Pollution of the waters of the world ocean by plastic. Polluted beach in Los Angeles, USA
    Image attribution tooltip
    Konoplytska via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    As You Sow stays the course with plastic reduction resolutions despite ESG headwinds

    “I think this is a really difficult year for shareholder resolutions,” said Kelly McBee, circular economy manager at As You Sow. To date, its 2024 consumer packaging efforts target Altria, Amazon and others.

    By • March 13, 2024
  • Exterior view of clothes being washed in a frontload machine
    Image attribution tooltip
    PictureLake via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Refills and plastic alternatives offer a fresh spin on laundry detergent packaging

    While traditional detergent bottles are widely recyclable, consumer demand for plastic reduction has led to a range of refillable solutions, sheets and, as of this past week, “fiber tiles.”

    By Hayley Lind • March 12, 2024
  • Two Huhtamaki fiber egg cartons stacked on top of each other, with another open carton in the foreground, on a kitchen counter.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Huhtamaki
    Image attribution tooltip

    Molded fiber packaging growth fueled by expanding demand, updated technology

    Companies such as Huhtamaki, PulPac and Tanbark are seeing notable growth in opportunities for molded fiber to gain scale as a plastic alternative.

    By Hollie Stephens • March 6, 2024