How far can EPR drive recycled content uptake?

Questions remain around how to effectively track recycled content in packaging and how to incentivize sourcing recycled material within North America. States such as Colorado are debating this as they enact EPR programs.

By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 15, 2025

Packaging innovations: Sam’s Club loses labels, Crocs blacks out

Plus, PakTech introduces a can cap to prevent children from getting into beverages infused with hemp or cannabis.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 12, 2025

Can recycling advancements get black rigid plastics off packaging’s blacklist?

More MRFs are adding technologies to sort the material, but some brands and manufacturers are still switching away from the color. As black plastic reaches a tipping point, end market challenges create uncertainty about its future.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 9, 2025

Colgate-Palmolive signs on to AI tool for biomaterials development

Biomaterials company Erthos plans to commercialize its platform, Zya, in early 2026 to aid CPG companies with faster and less risky development of biopolymers for packaging.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 8, 2025

Adding new commodities brings recycling education challenges

The Foodservice Packaging Institute updated its toolkit to help create recycling education campaigns. Stakeholders underscore the need for collaboration and taking a “careful step-by-step approach” when adding new items.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 3, 2025

Paper and Packaging Board shutdown reflects corporate, market changes

President Mary Anne Hansan shared more about the phaseout of the industry marketing initiative, highlighting evolutions in executive leadership and the economic, policy and sustainability landscapes since 2014.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 22, 2025

Packaging innovations: Laffy Taffy’s new wrappers are no laughing matter

Plus, AeroFlexx floats a new packaging format for a Boogie bath product, and Graphic Packaging International works with Radienz Living on a laundry pod container.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 22, 2025

Blue Polymers takes over food-grade rPET pellet production in California

“Whereas we sell flake to folks that create pellets, now we can sell pellets to folks that create packaging,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, a partner in the Blue Polymers venture.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 19, 2025

Driven by EPR, brands to offer film and flexibles funding to California recyclers

General Mills, Mars, PepsiCo and other brands are investing in film and flexible packaging recycling in the state as California implements stricter recycling regulations for the materials under SB 54.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 18, 2025

Driving change: Sustainable innovation in flexible packaging can’t wait

Making the shift to recyclable materials for low-barrier applications.

Aug. 18, 2025

Exports pulled down 2024 paper recycling rate: AF&PA

Decreased fiber exports, especially to Asia, affected both paper and OCC recycling rates in the U.S., according to the American Forest & Paper Association. But domestic mills increased their fiber consumption.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 13, 2025

Novelis sees ‘strong demand’ for aluminum beverage packaging sheet

The company is readying additional capacity at a new Alabama facility as it expects continued sustainability-driven growth in aluminum beverage packaging.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 12, 2025

Packaging innovations: Coors Light pits out, Pure Sunfarms gives a peek at weed

Plus, SIG works on a monomaterial bag for boxed wine, Smurfit Westrock and Papa Johns partner on digitally printed boxes to fit entire meals, Aptar brings biobased resins to nasal spray pumps, and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 11, 2025

Manufacturers nix the USDA’s Paper and Packaging Board

Since 2014, the organization has been funded by paper manufacturers and importers to boost paper-based packaging markets. But a recent vote on continuing the marketing efforts failed to garner majority support.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 8, 2025

What does ReMa’s new paper cup specification mean for packaging companies?

The addition is expected to boost acceptance in recycling streams and at mills. It comes as Graphic Packaging International preps a new recycled paperboard mill to accept 15 million cups per day as feedstock.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 31, 2025

Policy shifts keep chemical footprint efforts in pendulum swing

Following pushes to reduce certain chemicals in packaging and Trump administration changes, industry and advocates ponder what’s next. Limitations remain, including around high-performance materials.

By April Reese • July 29, 2025

Q2 containerboard production decrease tracks with 2025 trend

U.S. production for domestic use declined less than for exports, according to the American Forest & Paper Association. Any additional mill closures this year could build on the 6% capacity already lost in 2025.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 28, 2025

Packaging innovations: Huhtamaki’s cool cup compostability, UFP goes to crate lengths

Plus, Stora Enso and Novapor get ready to scale production after a plastic-free foam pilot program.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 18, 2025

Packaging innovations: Absolut tops itself with fiber, Aldi is glued to its beer

Plus, Amcor divides up its trays and BiOrigin Specialty Products helps food service operators block grease.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 11, 2025

Insights from the 2025 Packaging Recycling Summit

Catch up on Packaging Dive’s coverage from the third annual event, including about industry collaborations, prioritizing consumers and the scramble to meet extended producer responsibility deadlines.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 10, 2025

More than a PFAS replacement: Starch-based coating companies expand

Companies such as Ingredion, Roquette and Kuraray are incorporating new research to meet demand from customers in food service and e-commerce.

By Hollie Stephens • June 26, 2025

Inside Braskem’s push to scale biopolymer production for packaging and more

The Brazilian chemical company’s recently opened $20 million research facility in Massachusetts is part of the company’s broader network of R&D sites and interest in alternatives to fossil-based plastics.

By Cole Rosengren • June 25, 2025

Containerboard capacity has shrunk nearly 6% in 2025. That may rebalance the market.

North American mill closures could alter the supply and demand dynamic and bring a “golden age” for containerboard following years of oversupply, according to a Truist Securities analyst.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 24, 2025

WM’s upgraded Wisconsin MRF aims to capture more types of plastic packaging

Part of the $39 million investment went toward a film mitigation system, which reduces contamination in other streams. WM also is in the early stages of selling this captured material as a commodity. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated June 24, 2025

Canada threatens further tariffs on US steel, aluminum

The exact new rate will depend on progress made towards a tariff deal with the Trump administration as of July 21.

By Philip Neuffer • June 20, 2025