The Latest

  • Puzzle pieces with packaging
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2023

    Arglass bought out its previous majority stakeholder. BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions is expanding in the Southeast and Novvia Group in the Northeast.

    Updated Dec. 6, 2023
  • Sonoco FRESH logo at Clemson University
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    Retrieved from Clemson on December 01, 2023
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    Clemson’s FRESH initiative scaling up compostable product testing

    The South Carolina university aims to meet growing demand from brands bringing new products to market.

  • Labels on brown packaging
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    The image by Assemblies Unlimited is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Deep Dive

    Compostable packaging is still evolving but popular. Here’s where experts say it could be most effective.

    From farmers markets to Walmart to stadiums, compostable packaging is on the rise. Elevate Packaging, NatureWorks, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and others weigh in on how to get it right.

  • 2 Ball aluminum cups branded for Bud Light and Super Bowl LIV against the backdrop of Hard Rock Stadium
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    Courtesy of Ball Corp.
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    What’s next for Ball’s ‘startup’ aluminum cups business

    Ball is touting a “premium experience” as it ventures beyond sports and entertainment into leisure and lodging, including at Colorado ski resorts, said Emily Fong Mitchell, president and general manager for Ball Aluminum Cups.

  • Four Coca-Cola bottle multipacks in paper can carriers
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    Permission granted by Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages
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    Packaging innovations: Liberty Coca-Cola’s paper push, Corona’s can of a different color

    Plus, Green Loop is making agave-derived pallets, Sofi Products knocks the lid off hot beverage cups, Mondi aims to cut the use of expanded polystyrene foam for white goods and Elopak helps smol's refill game.

  • takeout boxes with restaurant food
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    whitebalance.oatt via Getty Images
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    Enhanced sustainable food packaging scorecard weighs chemicals of concern

    The collaborative tool, which food service companies like Sodexo engage with, now considers how food temperature and other factors impact the likelihood of chemicals of concern to migrate.

  • Paper Excellence site
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    Courtesy of Paper Excellence
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    Ardagh, Silgan closures add to November packaging layoff announcements

    Hundreds more impending layoffs were announced this week. Ball, Hood, TC Transcontinental and others in packaging manufacturing also provided updates this month on closures and disruptions.

  • Two workers in yellow hard hats stand over a conveyor belt full of recyclable materials, primarily plastics, in an industrial facility
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    Oregon finalizes statewide recycling list as part of EPR law implementation

    In addition to standardizing what can be collected — PET thermoforms did not make the initial cut — the rules also define “responsible” end markets and require PROs to manage materials according to environmental and labor rules.

  • Rolls of paper being printed on industrial machinery.
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    Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
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    Deep Dive

    ‘Revolutionary’ digital printing technology uptake expected to accelerate for packaging

    DS Smith, Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, WestRock, O-I Glass and others are among the companies innovating with this technology, which can increase precision and reduce waste. 

  • HelloFresh box and insulating pouch for meal-kit delivery
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    Courtesy of HelloFresh
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    Packaging innovation by online grocery and meal-kit companies focuses on reduction and reuse

    With takeback systems and seasonal packaging based on algorithms, companies such as HelloFresh and Misfits Market are working toward using less material in their deliveries.

  • A black crate with empty and clean glass milk bottles
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    Serge Cornu via Getty Images
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    Returnable packaging could cut material use as much as 75%: study

    Amcor, Amazon, L'Oréal, PepsiCo and other brands were part of an advisory group for an Ellen MacArthur Foundation project that assessed reusable plastic packaging systems for beverage, personal care and food products.

  • Pile of plastic flakes
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    RecycleMan via Getty Images
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    US Plastics Pact advises on role of mass balance in PCR certification

    As the role chemical recycling will play in packaging evolves, the group aims to address questions and spur demand for postconsumer recycled content.

  • Close up view of corrugated cardboard
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    Photo illustration by Shaun Lucas/Packaging Dive; photograph by Vudhikul Ocharoen via Getty Images
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    Tracker

    Packaging manufacturers set big sustainability goals. How are they doing?

    Packaging Dive’s tracker brings together major manufacturers’ goals and progress. Pactiv Evergreen recently reported it intends to set scope 3 emissions reduction targets and an “abatement road map” by July 2024.

    Updated Nov. 28, 2023
  • Tetra Park carton for chocolate drink
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    Permission granted by Tetra Pak
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    Tetra Pak’s paper-based barrier nearly eliminates metal in aseptic cartons

    Tetra Pak set out to improve carton recyclability for a Portuguese customer and anticipates widespread production of this innovation by 2025.

  • The European Union flag.
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    artJazz via Getty Images
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    European Parliament advances rules to reduce packaging by 2030 and beyond

    Following months of lobbying by manufacturers, brands and trade groups, members supported reductions in packaging waste, recyclability requirements, bans on PFAS and BPA in food-contact packaging and other provisions.

    Updated Nov. 28, 2023
  • Used food packaging and containers are commingled in a trash receptacle.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    EPR for packaging policies must make space for climate change measures, working group says

    A white paper from the West Coast Climate and Materials Management Forum offers suggestions for policymakers to “go beyond recycling” to consider how to make extended producer responsibility policies more climate friendly.

  • Various packages made from JBM Packaging's Hydroblox paper, including food packaging and a parking ticket envelope.
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    Courtesy of JBM Packaging
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    Packaging innovations: JBM Packaging blocks water, Aptar caps containers for e-commerce

    Plus, EcoEnclose and Sway incorporate seaweed into foldable cartons and Ardagh rounds out its bottle offerings.

  • Origin Materials' first commercial-scale plant for manufacturing CMF.
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    Permission granted by Origin Materials
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    Origin Materials laying off 30% of workforce, prioritizing ‘revenue-generating projects’

    Approximately 60 positions will be affected as part of the company’s cost-cutting measures. Origin Materials aims to achieve positive earnings via the realignment.

  • Stacks of empty glass Coke bottles
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    The image by Lee Coursey is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Reusables are only 1% of major brands’ plastic packaging but have growth potential

    A recent report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows limited progress on switching away from single-use plastics. An Oceana report sees big potential for Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and others to expand refill systems.

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    acprints via Getty Images
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    Using more packaging could cut food waste, research suggests

    Ameripen, which backed consumer research by Michigan State University, says findings could spark a closer look at date labeling and other on-pack messaging as well as how to balance freshness features with weight concerns.

  • A plastic McDonald's cup on the ground in Germany
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Competing LCAs offer differing views on the realities of reusable takeout systems

    Life-cycle assessments indicate reusable takeout boxes and clamshells can have lower climate impacts, depending on how consumers use them. Reloop, McDonald’s and others are debating the issue ahead of a key vote in the EU.

  • Two people sit in white chairs on a stage with a green background that says "Packaging Recycling Summit."
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Big things for small packages: Working to capture tiny recyclables

    Small-format plastic packaging can’t be properly recycled via conventional residential systems. Representatives from Estée Lauder, Ulta and MIT discussed potential solutions at the Packaging Recycling Summit.

  • Two opaque beige cups and three clear cups with cola, all bearing the Berry Global logo.
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    Courtesy of Berry Global
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    Berry’s new CEO talks organic growth, sustainability opportunities

    After fiscal year 2023 saw a nearly 13% decline in net sales, CEO Kevin Kwilinski took the helm. He shared his outlook on Berry Global’s acquisition strategy, the future of the Health, Hygiene, & Specialties division and more.

  • Ecospirits' closed-loop spirits refilling system, next to a stack of Ecototes to hold spirits
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    Courtesy of Ecospirits
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    Viva reuse: Las Vegas casino adding Ecospirits refill system in 2024

    With a new facility set to open in Nevada next year, the Closed Loop Partners-backed company hopes to demonstrate the value of its system for refilling alcohol bottles in high-volume settings.

  • Plastic waste floating in water,  including Gatorade bottles and Lay’s potato chip packaging, that was collected in April 2022 from the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, New York.
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    Courtesy of New York State Attorney General
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    New York AG’s ‘first of its kind’ lawsuit against PepsiCo seeks plastic pollution accountability

    Letitia James sued PepsiCo for allegedly “harming the public and the environment with its single-use plastic packaging.” The complaint slams PepsiCo’s “misleading” plastic reduction efforts and recycling claims.