The Latest

  • Exterior photo of emergency responders at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, Washington
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    Mathieu Lewis-Rolland via Getty Images
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    Nippon Paper assessing impacts after deadly Washington mill implosion

    Eight deaths were confirmed as of Thursday afternoon. “We support efforts to fully understand the root cause of this incident and identify measures that can help prevent similar tragedies in the future,” AF&PA said in a statement Friday.

    Updated May 29, 2026
  • A pile of mixed recyclables of different materials, including bottles and containers
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    Getty Images
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    EPR for packaging laws: Dates to know

    A May 31 multi-state reporting deadline has come and gone, Minnesota is accepting comments and Maryland finalized regulations. Catch up on other updates.

    Updated June 1, 2026
  • An outside photo of the California State Capitol.
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    The image by Jim Bowen is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    California advances compostables, recycled content labeling bills

    The legislation divided trade groups over mass balance accounting, plastics in compost and more.

  • Close up view of Andy Boy packaged lettuce
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Emerald Packaging CEO on his dual role as supplier and policy advisor

    The 63-year-old company just closed its first acquisition. CEO Kevin Kelly spoke with Packaging Dive about forgoing private equity investment and helping customers adapt to EPR.

  • Green glass bottles.
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    Ardagh Glass leaders talk optimization plans amid ‘new normal’ for demand

    Improving contracts, demand forecasting and capacity alignment are top of mind in 2026.

  • Pilot's store remodels are focused on meal options, including grab-and-go selections.
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    Courtesy of Pilot Travel Centers
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    Prepared food surge in c-stores brings packaging innovations

    As convenience stores offer more fresh food, their packaging needs shift. Packaging companies are exploring forms that maintain food quality, offer versatility and minimize storage space.

  • A reusable cup out a car window at a drive-through
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    Courtesy of Closed Loop Partners
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    California’s SB 54 kicks off a fresh look at reuse and refill collection

    CalRecycle’s recent needs assessments related to source reduction outlined steep costs for producers to redesign packaging and invest in new systems.

  • A TemperPack gusseted mailer made with WaveKraft material
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    Deep Dive

    The envelope, please: Sustainability fuels e-commerce mailer innovation

    E-commerce customers’ growing demand for mailers in place of boxes is driving packaging companies to invest in production expansions and innovations, including at Pregis, Sealed Air and TemperPack.

  • A variety of packaging, including expanded polystyrene foam next to cardboard boxes.
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    Getty Images
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    US Plastics Pact urged to remove 2 polystyrene items from ‘problematic’ list

    The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance calls for the changes based on its newly released end market survey that shows the items are recyclable. USPP told Packaging Dive it’s reviewing this new information.

  • Person in hard hat and safety vest stands over fast-moving conveyor belt with recyclables in Oregon
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    Oregon updates responsible end markets verification process

    Among the agreed-upon updates to the EPR program plan are a benchmarking process for third-party certifications and PRO verifications, certain adjustments to performance criteria, and a variance for glass furnaces.

  • An electronic device positioned over collected recyclable materials on a conveyor belt.
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    Permission granted by Greyparrot
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    Kenvue tracks packaging through recycling stream with Greyparrot’s AI

    The collaboration spotlights use cases for AI in packaging, such as pinpointing the optimal hue for shampoo bottles to ensure recyclability. Identifying design changes gains importance as the packaging regulation landscape widens.

  • A row of colored sample products of Nothing cold cups
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    Lidless paper cups maker Nothing eyes expansion, driven by microplastics concerns

    The recently rebranded company is looking to set up U.S. production, said co-founder Brandon Leeds, as it aims to appeal to foodservice businesses and microplastics-wary consumers with foldable hot and cold cup designs.

  • Styrofoam containers
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    Getty Images
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    Polystyrene recycling group cites medical, transport packaging as key end markets

    A study conducted by Resource Recycling Systems on behalf of the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance identified 81 companies and 119 total facilities that handle expanded or extruded polystyrene foam.

    Updated May 20, 2026
  • Dozens of people stand behind two people cutting a ribbon in front of a building bearing Nefab's logo.
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    Permission granted by Nefab Group
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    Mondi, Poly Craft Industries, PolyFlex announce expansions

    Paper and plastic packaging companies announced capacity expansions in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

  • Large rolls of sheet aluminum stacked in a factory setting
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    Getty Images
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    North American aluminum demand resilient, Aluminum Association reports

    Preliminary 2025 data showed a small year-over-year bump in domestic shipments and imports. While there may be new incentives for heavy-duty steel and aluminum, canmakers still await tariff relief.

  • Delivery person in orange uniform handing over clear plastic bags containing takeout food boxes to a customer at their home entrance.
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    Alamy
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    Deep Dive

    Plastic packaging converters raise red flags over Iran war impact

    Polyolefins are bearing the brunt of supply disruptions and price increases, and renormalization isn’t expected until 2027 at the earliest. Experts from ICIS, Emerald Packaging and others weigh in.

  • A variety of lightbulb-shaped plastic containers that have branding for Lytt alcoholic beverages.
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    Courtesy of Boston Beer Co.
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    Packaging innovations: Lytt’s lit containers, Duni’s paper is the new black

    Plus, Sappi North America and CJ Biomaterials introduce products that resist grease in foodservice applications.

  • Cut fruit in plastic packaging on store shelves
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    Getty Images
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    Recycled food-contact materials need regulatory harmonization, UN report says

    “We want to recycle more plastic, but we also want to make sure that by solving one problem we don't create new problems,” said Corinna Hawkes, a leader in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

  • The facade of a building with a dome.
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    Getty Images
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    More litigation expected over California recycling regulations

    Packaging EPR law SB 54 could spark lawsuits from environmental groups and businesses alike. Meanwhile, certain industry groups are seeking a preliminary injunction with recyclability labeling law SB 343.

  • Large rolls of fiber material on industrial equipment inside a manufacturing facility.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Smurfit Westrock introduces 2030 sustainability goals

    In its first sustainability report covering the integrated company, Smurfit Westrock laid out targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste. It also teased that more goals could be coming.

  • Mixed plastic recyclables move on a conveyor belt at Recology's Recycle Central
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    CalRecycle publishes new SB 54 guidance for producers

    The agency is shedding more light on identifying producer status and covered materials under the packaging EPR and source reduction law, as well as declaring food and agricultural packaging that may be excluded.

  • A commercial building's exterior features Graphic Packaging International's name and logo.
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    Permission granted by Graphic Packaging International
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    Class action lawsuit alleges Graphic Packaging misled investors

    The lawsuit, which also names former GPI CEO Mike Doss and former CFO Stephen Scherger as defendants, claims shareholders endured harm from investment decisions based on misleading or withheld information.

  • Stacks of upside down paper cups with integrated brown holders.
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    Getty Images
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    20% of US residents can now recycle paper cups, FPI says

    Paper cup recycling access quadrupled in the last decade, according to the Foodservice Packaging Institute. But more work is needed, including on end markets, as some mills that accepted the material have backed out.

  • A worker sorts paper at a MRF
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    Courtesy of Recology
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    CAA seeks to standardize responsible end market requirements

    Circular Action Alliance is accepting public comments on a proposed REM standard meant to be cohesive across packaging EPR states. It aims to ensure materials are handled in an environmentally sound way.

  • The state capitol in Augusta, Maine
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    Getty Images
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    Maine’s packaging EPR implementation lags

    The Maine Department of Environmental Protection still expects producers will owe money this year. But the process of contracting with a stewardship organization has repeatedly been pushed back.