The Latest
-
Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images
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 -
Retrieved from Clemson on December 01, 2023
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.
-
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.
-
Courtesy of Ball Corp.
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.
-
Permission granted by Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages
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.
-
whitebalance.oatt via Getty Images
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.
-
Courtesy of Paper Excellence
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.
-
Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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.
-
Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
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.
-
Courtesy of HelloFresh
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.
-
Serge Cornu via Getty Images
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.
-
RecycleMan via Getty Images
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.
-
Photo illustration by Shaun Lucas/Packaging Dive; photograph by Vudhikul Ocharoen via Getty Images
TrackerPackaging 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 -
Permission granted by Tetra Pak
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.
-
artJazz via Getty Images
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 -
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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.
-
Courtesy of JBM Packaging
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.
-
Permission granted by Origin Materials
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.
-
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.
-
acprints via Getty Images
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.
-
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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.
-
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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.
-
Courtesy of Berry Global
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.
-
Courtesy of Ecospirits
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.
-
Courtesy of New York State Attorney General
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.
