Amcor releases decarbonization road map

Redesigning packaging to weigh less, use fewer materials and incorporate lower-carbon materials is part of the company’s efforts to reach SBTi-validated 2033 emissions reduction targets.

Coca-Cola ‘on track’ for packaging recyclability goal, ‘behind plan’ on recycled content target

In an environmental update, the beverage giant reported that progress on reusable packaging formats and recyclability was stagnant in 2023 while its rate of recycled PET use ticked up.

Plastics Pact Network details its 6-year impact on tackling plastic pollution

Future work will focus on environmental justice, informing policy and securing more funding to scale impact.

5 stats on plastics recycling and ‘circularity’ investments

In new reports this summer, various groups shared updated data on where plastics transformation investments are being allocated, how recycling and recycled content use are evolving, and more.

Google achieves plastic-free packaging ahead of 2025 with help of new paper

Google says it was important to work with partners such as Veritiv to design the new paper material and other packaging to give consumers visual cues that encourage recycling.

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

Graphic Packaging International set a new goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 while also replacing prior goals about material sustainability. Crown Holdings also recently published its latest sustainability report.

Updated Aug. 15, 2024

Graphic Packaging’s new technology set to reduce paperboard coatings

The technology slated to debut in the plant GPI is building in Waco, Texas, allows the use of paper cups and production scrap as paperboard feedstocks. The company has also introduced new sustainability targets and retired others.

28% of PET bottles are being recycled, The Recycling Partnership reports

The PET Recycling Coalition reports it’s been able to help capture more PET bottles and non-bottle PET packaging. There’s still more demand for clear recycled PET, while interest in pigmented or opaque rPET is low.

White House backs reduced plastic production, criteria for chemical and product lists, in UN treaty

The Biden administration’s new approach, confirmed by Packaging Dive, is a major development ahead of the final negotiating session this fall. That could include discussions about criteria for lists to limit some chemicals and products.

Amcor reports volume momentum, despite drag from healthcare and beverages

Interim CEO Peter Konieczny said that aside from lagging healthcare destocking and softness in consumer beverage spending, the company is seeing volumes tick up. Amcor met or exceeded its financial guidance for FY24.

Can canned food outlast competition from flexible plastic alternatives?

With consumers feeling squeezed by inflation, food companies like Bush’s Beans and suppliers such as Sonoco see cans as a reliable space to grow in while also meeting sustainability goals.

ReMA’s online tool aims to take the mystery out of which fiber packaging can be recycled

Georgia-Pacific is one of several packaging companies that report using the tool to determine how easily their products flow through the U.S. recycling system and how to better design for recycling.

Snickers owner Mars to buy Kellanova for $35.9B

The deal for the Cheez-It and Pringles maker is the biggest in the food space since the Kraft-Heinz merger in 2015. It gives the gum and candy giant a dominant presence in savory snacks, where it currently has little exposure.

Cascades’ new CEO details sales gains, production hit in Q2

Maintenance at facilities in New York and Virginia reduced production capacity by about 8,000 tons in Q2, but CEO Hugues Simon was optimistic about future growth at the company.

Circular Action Alliance names its first CEO

Jeff Fielkow, currently CEO of ID Images, has decades of recycling and packaging experience at Tetra Pak and elsewhere. The producer responsibility organization is ramping up work in Colorado, Oregon and California.

Alternative inks and coatings aim to increase recyclability and aid sustainability goals

Recent state legislation seeking to limit carbon black hasn’t progressed yet, but companies are already seeing demand for different approaches using algae, magnetic coatings and more.

Packaging innovations: Twinings gets canned, Black Cow’s udderly different vodka packaging

Plus, e.l.f. Cosmetics makes changes to boost product accessibility and Sensei Farms ditches its plastic clamshells.

EPA finalizes recycled content levels for packaging bearing Safer Choice label

Despite some industry pushback, the agency opted to reflect packaging sustainability in the voluntary health and environmental safety program. But it offered companies more flexibility on which improvements are accepted.

How Minnesota’s packaging stakeholders got EPR across the finish line

Policy and environmental leads told the story of how compromise led to the latest extended producer responsibility for packaging bill passed into law during a Product Stewardship Institute event.

Consumers’ curtailed fast food consumption in Q2 hit packaging earnings

From McDonald’s to KFC, quick-service restaurants’ Q2 results generally haven’t been finger lickin’ good. Their packaging suppliers hope promotions will lure back inflation-weary consumers.

SEE’s Q2 food gains offset by protective packaging weakness

One month into his new role, CEO Patrick Kivits detailed progress on SEE’s optimization plan. Executives anticipate volume weakness will persist into 2025.

Clearwater to enter site-sharing deal in Idaho with Sofidel upon tissue divestiture

The tissue business sale is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter as Clearwater transitions to become a more paperboard-focused business with new product offerings.

How much did packaging CEOs make in 2023?

The packaging industry’s largest manufacturers have a wave of new CEOs beginning this year. Here’s a look at how compensation has trended for packaging leaders — and their employees — in recent years.

Canada explores impacts from PFAS in packaging, potential management actions

The government is accepting comments on an updated report and risk management scope. It’s looking at voluntary actions around product labeling and collaborating with North American trade partners on assessing alternatives.

What brands and retailers are saying about sustainable packaging in 2024

Coca-Cola, Target, Mars and Google are some of the businesses that have recently reported on packaging changes and sustainability progress.

Updated Aug. 22, 2024