What brands and retailers are saying about sustainable packaging in 2024

Consumer tech companies Lenovo and Google and beverage giants PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper are some of the businesses that have shared updates on packaging changes and sustainability progress in 2024 reports.

Updated July 10, 2024

Companies begin to signal changes to 2025 plastic targets

Halfway through 2024, some organizations have said they’re off track or are switching gears to focus on new goals or more distant target years.

2024’s biggest packaging acquisition news

The year has seen a flurry of news and rumors about major transactions involving International Paper, DS Smith, Berry Global, Sonoco, WestRock, Smurfit Kappa and more.

New Jersey Senate passes bill to rightsize shipping boxes

Have you ever received a tiny item in a huge box? Some legislators want to require retailers to keep that ratio in check. It’s one of multiple packaging bills in play in the state, among others related to PFAS, EPR and plastic utensils.

Departing WestRock CEO Sewell reflects on his tenure and company’s future

In an interview, David Sewell discussed fiber pricing trends, infrastructure investment strategies, the importance of innovation and highlights from his time at the helm of WestRock, which comes to an end July 5.

Google inches toward 2025 plastic-free packaging goal

The tech giant eliminated plastic in the packaging for its newest Pixel phones.

Packaging companies and CPGs prepare for EU’s tethered bottle cap regulation

Berry Global, Sidel and others worked with companies to redesign beverage containers ahead of a new mandate taking effect in July.

Updated July 3, 2024

Grove explains decision to drop plastic-free by 2025 goal

The home essentials marketplace operator said eliminating plastic would require legislation and “massive transformation in the CPG ecosystem.” Spray pumps and laundry pods are some of the items where plastic still plays a role.

Ardagh, McKinley, Tupperware among large layoff announcers in June

Packaging companies disclosed more than 1,000 layoffs that will take place across the U.S. this summer and fall, according to state filings.

US Supreme Court overturns Chevron doctrine, limiting federal agency reach

Federal courts will no longer have to defer to agency regulations for interpretation of ambiguous statutes.

SPC launches group focused on inclusion, representation in packaging

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition expects its work in this area could result in scholarships to events, reallocating consumer education dollars and creating a mentorship network.

Packaging laws taking effect in 2024

Multiple state regulations come into force in July, including stricter certification and labeling standards for compostables in Colorado.

WestRock breaks ground on highly automated Wisconsin ‘superplant’ for corrugated boxes

The facility, one of WestRock’s largest investments this year, is strategically placed to serve the Midwest. CEO David Sewell told Packaging Dive that this superplant concept helps increase regional efficiencies.

Suzano ends negotiation for acquisition of International Paper

Suzano’s previous interest added another layer of complexity to a planned deal between International Paper and DS Smith, which followed Mondi’s attempt to purchase DS Smith.

9 countries’ paper bag imports harmed US producers, tariffs to come: USITC

The U.S. Department of Commerce will issue duty orders. Novolex submitted petitions initiating the investigation that resulted in tariffs, but other packaging companies opposed it.

Zara owner pledges to stop using endangered and ancient forests in paper packaging

The fashion industry is a major consumer of paper packaging for e-commerce envelopes and boxes, paper bags and hang tags. With the addition of Inditex, Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative now includes nearly 450 brands.

Packaging innovations: Sustainable seafood boxes, EPR-driven water-soluble cement bags

Disruptive Packaging and Mondi collaborated with North Coast Seafoods and Cemex, respectively. Plus, Aldi U.K. announced its latest plastic-to-paper substitution.

Second round of fiber product price increases appears to be taking hold

As packaging producers continue to announce summer price increases for multiple fiber grades, some analysts hint that the “cardboard box recession” might be coming to an end.

Ardagh Glass closing Houston facility with 220 workers, citing ‘beer market conditions’

Also in July the company will be indefinitely curtailing production at a Seattle site servicing wine customers, impacting another 244 employees. Ardagh detailed ongoing challenges in both the beer and wine markets.

Sonoco acquiring Eviosys for $3.9B in move to prioritize metal packaging

Acquiring the European company from investment firm KPS aligns with Sonoco’s strategy to make metal packaging a core business unit. The acquisition will be accompanied by “significant divestitures.”

Updated June 24, 2024

Massachusetts advances plastic bag ban, lawmakers consider packaging EPR

The Plastics Reduction Act recently passed the state Senate and is pending action in the House. It also seeks to add a fee on paper bags, change state procurement rules for plastic bottles and limit plastic utensils.

PepsiCo anticipates missing certain 2025 packaging sustainability goals

The same day the CPG released its ESG report acknowledging it’s unlikely to hit a 2025 packaging circular design target, the city of Baltimore sued PepsiCo and others for their “significant roles in creating a plastic pollution crisis.” 

Keurig Dr Pepper reaffirms commitment to 2025 sustainable packaging goals

The commitment — which applies to goals on recycled content, virgin plastic reduction and more — comes as some other organizations have changed their sustainable packaging targets.

Amazon aims to remove all plastic air pillows from deliveries by year-end holidays

The initiative in North America coincides with the e-commerce giant’s push to transition fulfillment centers to solely handle fiber packaging.

DS Smith acquisition ‘remains fully on track’ for Q4 closing, CEO says

The prospectus for International Paper’s acquisition should be released in late summer, said DS Smith CEO Miles Roberts on Thursday’s earnings call. Meanwhile, substrate switches from plastic to fiber are driving up demand.