The Latest

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  American Beverage ad’s ‘aspirational’ claims overstate PET bottle recycling practices, ad panels say

  American Beverage appealed the decision with mixed success and agreed to alter the ad.

  Sustainability

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  Berry Global 2022 ESG report shows uptick in PCR purchasing

  The Indiana-based plastic packaging company said it’s been ahead of schedule on goals to reduce operational emissions, but one packaging sustainability target saw year-over-year decline amid changes to recyclability determinations.

  Manufacturing

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  For OCC demand and pricing, economic uncertainty puts quick recovery in question

  Recycling and packaging executives have a range of predictions for what’s ahead as continued inflation and lagging consumer spending affect whether OCC pulls out of its slump.

  Materials

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  Fed hikes main rate by quarter-point, notes ‘resilient’ banking system

  The central bank tightened borrowing costs despite banking instability as inflation persists well above its 2% target.

  Finance

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  PPI data suggest lower packaging costs. Is inflation’s grip finally lessening?

  The Bureau of Labor Statistics’s data release signaled different price trends among plastic packaging products, paperboard and paper boxes and containers.

  Manufacturing

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  California, Colorado, Oregon officials talk packaging EPR implementation

  As more states consider extended producer responsibility for packaging, officials from states working toward 2025 start dates said during an AMERIPEN webinar that they’re collaborating and looking at opportunities to harmonize.

  Regulation

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  Dart lays off workers at Georgia plant after sudden demand drop

  A “dramatic” demand decrease made immediate job cuts and production schedule changes necessary at a Solo Cup facility, according to the company.

  Manufacturing

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  Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever invest to expand Closed Loop’s Circular Services

  A group of companies is investing millions in a recycling entity that is seeking to build out circular economy infrastructure to recover more packaging material and increase access to recycled content.

  Sustainability

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  McCormick’s plastic spice bottles reformulated to be 50% PCR

  The first redesign in nearly 40 years, the bottles made partly with recycled content have an approximately 18% to 23% smaller carbon footprint across sizes, the Maryland-based company said.

  Sustainability

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  Refill and reuse sectors strive for scale to upend single-use packaging’s stronghold

  Changing consumer perceptions about convenience and value will be important to achieve greater market dominance, according to speakers from Loop, Clorox and other companies at the Sustainability in Packaging US event.

  Sustainability

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  Innovation takes center stage at Sustainability in Packaging conference

  Speakers came at sustainability from all angles, including equipment digitization and debating the nagging question of whether consumers will pay more for products containing PCR.

  Sustainability

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  Inside Nestlé‘s long road to improve the sustainability of its packaging footprint

  From Nespresso pods made of paper to Stouffer’s trays made with 30% recycled plastic, the CPG giant is finding novel ways to overhaul some of the millions of pounds of packaging material it uses annually.

  Sustainability

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  To help boost postconsumer recycled content in packaging, US Plastics Pact shares industry toolkit

  The open-source resource comes as the group and the industry have noted challenges around balancing supply and demand in the PCR market and increasing the use of PCR.

  Sustainability

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  War, COVID lockdowns and riots are among international factors hitting packaging earnings

  International factors led to supply chain disruptions and demand dips that tamped down Q4 2022 results. But executives anticipate brighter days ahead in 2023.

  Manufacturing

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  Washington’s WRAP Act, including EPR and bottle bill plans, won’t move forward this year

  The legislation gained attention as a significant overhaul to Washington’s recycling system, but waste industry opposition contributed to it dying in committee before a key deadline.

  Regulation

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  Energy Department offers $6B to decarbonize industrial manufacturing

  Grants will be awarded to projects in high-polluting sectors such as iron and steel, chemicals and refining and food and beverage. 

  Manufacturing

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  Plastics recyclers examine influence of secondary sortation, legislation and flexible packaging on PCR markets

  Speakers from Republic Services, AMP Robotics, IHS Markit, NOVA Chemicals, Eunomia and others discussed how to advance their efforts at this week’s Plastics Recycling Conference.

  Regulation

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  Colorado’s lead composter will no longer process packaging in effort to curb contamination

  A1 Organics says contamination rates are growing as curbside composting programs expand. Even items labeled "compostable" no longer will be accepted.

  Sustainability

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  Manufacturing outlook improves slightly as contraction slows in February

  New orders and order backlog levels improved last month with demand "on the road to recovery."

  Manufacturing

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  Sonoco reports ‘pivotal year’ of growth driven by consumer packaging demand and M&A

  During a recent earnings call, CEO Howard Coker touted the importance of the company’s metal packaging acquisition — its largest ever — and why he thinks it “feels like we are in a recession.” 

  CPG

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  WestRock notes global paper market headwinds but touts sustainability investments as growing opportunity

  WestRock reported lower Q1 income and withdrew full-year guidance due to market uncertainty. CEO David Sewell said increased packaging revenue and a focus on plastic packaging replacement projects are positive signs, however.

  Manufacturing

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  EPR ‘crucial’ to hitting resource recovery goal, GFL exec says

  Packaging and waste management stakeholders, including GFL Environmental’s vice president of resource recovery, discussed emerging policy battlegrounds at a Product Stewardship Institute webinar.

  Regulation

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  Amazon closes, cancels more warehouses as cost-cutting persists

  The e-commerce giant canceled, closed or delayed 99 U.S. fulfillment facilities, per a firm tracking the company. Amazon disputed its findings.

  Supply Chain

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  US Plastics Pact makes varied progress on circular packaging; 2025 targets may be out of reach

  Executive Director Emily Tipaldo praised data collection that’s occurred since 2020, even as maximizing reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging has run into barriers.

  Sustainability

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  Bottle bill or ‘recycling refund’ legislation? Advocates commit to 2023 policy push

  More than a dozen organizations voiced support for passing container deposit laws in 2023 and changing some terminology to garner more support. Some MRF representatives are wary. 

  Regulation

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