CPG

  • Close-up shot of a food container with film that says recyclable.
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    K Neville via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Hush-hush: Is greenwashing pushback prompting pivot to ‘greenhushing’?

    Companies must focus on data to back their sustainability claims instead of resorting to silence, or exaggerations, said sources from groups such as the U.S. Plastics Pact, Glass Packaging Institute and McCormick & Co.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
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    Permission granted by GreenBlue
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    The How2Recycle label is getting a new look

    The campaign to transform the instructional label program involves a refreshed design, enhanced data sources and partners handling different aspects of the system, and planning for greater investment in consumer education.

    By • Oct. 1, 2024
  • A view of vendor displays on the show floor at Pack Expo East at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on March 20, 2024.
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    Packaging trade shows to watch in 2025

    Mark your calendar: These U.S. conferences and events will cover timely trends in sustainable packaging design, recycling technologies, regional market trends, substrate evolutions, automation and more.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024
  • A close-up of a plastic water bottle in a bucket of ice as the Sun shines down on a hot Summer day.
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    cmannphoto via Getty Images
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    Microplastics greenwashing suit against BlueTriton dismissed

    Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled that the class-action complaint involving the company’s Ice Mountain bottled water was preempted by federal law. The plaintiffs recently amended their complaint.

    By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 28, 2024
  • Close-up of a wrap label on a Diet Coke beverage bottle that says "I'm a 100% Recycled Bottle"
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    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.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
  • Seven cans of Bush's Best canned beans lined up next to each other (Zero-Sugar Added Baked Beans, Black Beans, Chili Beans Kidney Beans, Original Baked Beans, Grillin' Beans, Southwest Zest Pinto Beans, Chili Magic Classic Homestyle)
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    Permission granted by Bush Brothers
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    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.

    By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 15, 2024
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    Courtesy of Kellanova
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    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.

    By Christopher Doering • Aug. 14, 2024
  • Cardboard cases of Bud Light cans sit on shelves in a grocery store refrigerator case, alongside cases of Budweiser and Michelob Ultra
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Can-makers share perspective on energy drink, beer market trends

    Coca-Cola and Anheuser-Busch InBev are among the beverage brand owners that reported Q2 results recently. CEOs at Ball, Crown and Ardagh spoke on beverage markets during earnings calls.

    By • Aug. 2, 2024
  • An Estée Lauder storefront with displays featuring cosmetics in Hong Kong
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    "HK TKO zh:將軍澳 Tseung Kwan O PopCorn mall shop in January 2022" by CAHOGNSUIE 202 KADPA is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Q&A

    Aesthetics vs. environment: How Estée Lauder balances luxury and sustainability

    Efforts include sourcing postconsumer resin and leveraging chemical recycling. Making sustainability leaps more apparent to consumers is also a concern at the cosmetics and skincare giant.

    By • July 29, 2024
  • Hands hold a Snickers candy bar, Mars bar and Milky Way bar in paper-based packaging
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    Courtesy of Mars Wrigley Australia
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    Mars doubts it can achieve 2025 sustainable packaging targets

    Almost half of Mars’ packaging portfolio is being redesigned or eliminated to align with current or future recycling infrastructure. But infrastructure advancement is taking longer than expected, per its latest sustainability report.

    By • July 29, 2024
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    Permission granted by Califia Farms
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    Califia Farms acquires Uproot to reduce packaging via food service dispensers

    Uproot has more than 150 dispensers across the U.S. at college campuses and other dining locations. The announcement follows the plant-based beverage brand’s rollout of 100% rPET bottles in the U.S. and Canada.

    By Elizabeth Flood • July 25, 2024
  • Plastic Grillo's Pickles tubs in a grocery store display case
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    Cole Rosengren/Packaging Dive
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    Social media-driven redesigns: Lessons from a packaging pickle

    Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have created space for packaging to go viral for not-so-good reasons. But they also give brands such as Grillo’s Pickles a potentially powerful new tool for garnering consumer feedback.

    By Shefali Kapadia • July 8, 2024
  • Cut fruit in plastic packaging on store shelves
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    baranozdemir via Getty Images
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    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.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • July 5, 2024
  • A display of Grove Collaborative's rebranded products.
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    Courtesy of Grove Collaborative
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    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.

    By • July 2, 2024
  • Plastic Pepsi soda bottles encased in paper packaging
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    Courtesy of PepsiCo
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    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.” 

    By • June 21, 2024
  • Coffee K-Rounds fall against a yellow backdrop.
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    Courtesy of Keurig Dr Pepper
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    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.

    By • June 21, 2024
  • The bottom of an empty clear plastic Coca-Cola bottle sticks out from a green bag, with dozens of other empty beverage bottles for recycling blurred in the background.
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    Ezra Acayan via Getty Images
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    Plastic Promises Scorecard casts more doubt on 2025 company targets

    As You Sow awarded no ‘A’ scores, as it echoed US Plastics Pact concerns about companies not progressing quickly enough to meet 2025 targets. Still, it lauded goals and efforts at Keurig Dr Pepper, Coca-Cola and SC Johnson.

    By • June 18, 2024
  • Four bottles of Hain Celestial products stand on a wooden countertop: Jason lavender body wash; Avalon Organics Scalp Treatment Tea Tree Shampoo; Alba Botanica coconut sunscreen spray; and Live Clean fresh water hydrating liquid hand soap
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    Courtesy of Hain Celestial
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    SKU rationalization is in. What does that mean for packaging partners?

    Unilever, Hain Celestial and other brands are thinking through their offerings to boost profits. Such efforts can also simplify operations for packaging manufacturers, allowing them to produce quickly at scale.

    By Shefali Kapadia • June 4, 2024
  • Pink main stage sign that says 'Circularity' at the Circularity conference
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    4 talking points at Circularity on the path forward for packaging

    To scale change, experts brought up the need for more precompetitive collaboration and the desire to move beyond pilots, among other themes.

    By • May 30, 2024
  • Bottles and cans littered on a sand beach
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    Milos Bicanski via Getty Images
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    Litter audit data could drive more litigation and policy, experts say

    A recent analysis identified Coca-Cola as the source of 11% of all branded plastic found in litter surveyed globally. This type of data is part of growing transparency around packaging outcomes.

    By • May 22, 2024
  • A person handles a bag of milk next to an espresso machine.
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    Courtesy of SEE
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    Packaging innovations: SEE sells self-sealing solution, Capri Sun grows up

    Plus, fiber screw-on caps from Blue Ocean Closures, cold-chain solutions from Candor Expedite and compostable cutlery from Better Earth.

    By • May 20, 2024
  • An end display in Target's grocery section features boxes of Pop-Tarts with a sign saying "Sale! Kellogg's Pop-Tarts frosted pastries 12-ct; When you buy 2; 2/$6"
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    CPG promotional activity unevenly impacts packaging suppliers

    Boxboard producers stand to benefit the most as consumer packaged goods companies shift away from their recent “value over volume” strategy, according to a Truist Securities analyst.

    By • May 15, 2024
  • A lineup of five aluminum water bottles from the Deer Park, Poland Spring, Pure Life, Arrowhead and Ice Mountain brands.
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    Courtesy of BlueTriton Brands
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    BlueTriton launches premium water bottles as aluminum packaging’s role grows in market

    Aluminum bottle offerings could tap a wider range of consumer values, researchers and consultants say. The addition expands the portfolio for Pure Life, Deer Park, Poland Spring, Arrowhead and Ice Mountain waters.

    By • May 9, 2024
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    sematadesign via Getty Images
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    EPR laws’ labeling implications create more questions for CPGs

    Leaders from the Consumer Brands Association and The Recycling Partnership recently discussed how packaging EPR laws are further complicating how brands can mark packaging, including for recycling.

    By • May 8, 2024
  • A variety of different colored pouches of Dionis Goat Milk Skincare lotion.
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    Courtesy of Dionis Goat Milk Skincare
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    Packaging innovations: Bandit Wines cartons offer augmented reality, Huggies ups PCR in diaper bags

    Plus, Dionis Goat Milk Skincare lotion now comes in refill pouches and American Packaging Corp. tackles pet food pouch recyclability.

    By • May 6, 2024