Materials

  • A tightly packed bale of crushed plastic bottles, compressed into a rectangular block and wrapped in clear plastic film. The bale contains various colored plastic bottles, flattened and compacted together, ready for recycling.
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    Alamy
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    New Jersey delays PCR requirements for food-contact packaging to 2030

    The state’s Department of Environmental Protection said technologies still don’t exist at scale to reliably meet the requirements. The Association of Plastic Recyclers disagreed, citing concerns about stranded assets.

    By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 11, 2026
  • Stacks of flattened pizza boxes move across a production line in a manufacturing facility.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Smurfit Westrock, Pratt seek investigation into ‘unfairly traded’ pizza box imports

    The two companies petitioned the U.S. International Trade Commission and Department of Commerce to investigate and deliver duties for pizza boxes imported from three countries.

    By • Sept. 10, 2026
  • Stacks of cardboard boxes in a logistics center
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    Getty Images
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    Fastmarkets RISI plans to add corrugated box cost index

    This is a “major development” that could affect the decades-old model for monthly corrugated pricing, according to analysts. The public has less than a month to provide comments about the proposal.

    By • Sept. 9, 2026
  • Two people in protective gear shift through various-sized pieces of metal on a wooden table.
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    Alamy
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    In the bin or not? How MRF operators decide which packaging to take.

    As EPR laws and reputational concerns drive brands to push for their product packaging in accepted material lists, those debates have grown more complex.

    By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 9, 2026
  • A knife next to a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and a PBR box featuring a Jason Voorhees cut-out mask.
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    Courtesy of Pabst Blue Ribbon
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    Packaging innovations: PBR creates fear with beer

    Plus, BW Converting makes pet food pouring easier, Green Food Pack Co. wants consumers to give their paper cups a spin and Ahlstrom creates a path to grease resistance.

    By • Sept. 4, 2026
  • A person in a hard hat inspects a bale of recyclables
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    Getty Images
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    Paper, cardboard recycling rates were flat in 2025: AF&PA

    Recycling rates held steady despite declines in U.S. paper and paperboard production in 2025, which illustrates the industry’s resilience, according to the American Forest & Paper Association.

    By • Aug. 31, 2026
  • U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
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    Evelyn Hockstein via Getty Images
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    Packaging industry braces for impacts from U.S.-Canada trade war

    Trade associations representing manufacturers of fiber, metal and glass packaging weighed in on expected effects — mainly higher costs — that could affect companies along both countries’ supply chains.

    By • Aug. 26, 2026
  • A close-up view of corrugated boxes that are banded together and stacked.
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    Getty Images
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    Containerboard pricing holds steady in August

    Containerboard pricing was largely expected to remain flat considering producers’ third wave of price increases won’t take effect until September. Boxboard prices also were mostly flat, although SBS bucked that trend.

    By • Aug. 25, 2026
  • United States President Donald Trump stands next to Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney flanked by U.S. flags.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Trump vows 50% tariffs on Canada cars, trucks, auto parts, steel

    The president announced the new levies, effective Jan. 1, after Canada said it would retaliate against duties the U.S. implemented over the weekend. 

    By Phil Neuffer • Updated Aug. 24, 2026
  • An open corrugated box contains expanded polystyrene foam packaging.
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    Getty Images
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    US Plastics Pact removes transport EPS from ‘problematic’ list

    This is the first time the group has removed an item from the approximately four-year-old list. A broader review of the materials on the list is underway.

    By • Aug. 19, 2026
  • Large rolls of sheet aluminum stacked in a factory setting
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    Getty Images
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    Nearly 60 members of Congress call for aluminum pricing investigation

    At issue is the Midwest Premium, which reportedly incorporates the 50% aluminum tariffs on domestic manufacturers — even those that use domestically recycled aluminum. 

    By • Updated Aug. 19, 2026
  • A sign for the Food And Drug Administration is seen
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    FDA lays out plan to close ingredients, food-contact substances ‘loophole’

    The agency’s proposal would require companies to provide more information on chemicals self-affirmed as safe under the controversial GRAS framework. Public comment is open until Dec. 9.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 11, 2026
  • A close-up view of corrugated boxes that are banded together and stacked.
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    Getty Images
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    Independent box making group decries containerboard price increases

    AICC says the hikes reflect “a small group of producers having market dominance.” The group also questions major containerboard producers’ recent statements about demand increases and tight supply.

    By • Aug. 10, 2026
  • Bundled stacks of flat corrugated boxes.
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    Getty Images
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    Containerboard production healthier in Q2, but still in decline

    Data from the American Forest & Paper Association shows improving demand and operating rates for containerboard producers, aligning with companies’ recent earnings commentaries.

    By • Aug. 3, 2026
  • Close-up view of a printed seal on a brown cardboard box. The black circular stamp includes product details and is from "INTERNATIONAL PAPER" located in "BINGHAMTON, NY." Additional printed text is visible on the right-hand side in large black font.
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    Alamy
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    More producers announce price hikes for containerboard, boxboard

    Cascades, Smurfit Westrock and International Paper announced containerboard price increases days after PCA’s, which is being called unprecedented. And boxboard producers announced increases for SBS and FBB.

    By • Updated Aug. 3, 2026
  • Close-up view of the edge of flattened corrugated boxes, showing the corrugating medium between the linerboard layers.
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    Getty Images
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    PCA’s $140/ton containerboard price increase considered unprecedented

    Packaging Corporation of America’s announced increase is double the typical amount, shocking industry observers. The reported action sent PCA’s — and competitors’ — stocks soaring on Friday.

    By • July 27, 2026
  • An industrial machine with webs of transparent plastic.
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    Getty Images
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    Hope for quick plastic market normalization fades as Iran conflict escalates

    July fighting squashed the promise of a June ceasefire and the Strait of Hormuz reopening, along with packaging converters’ wishes for plastic price relief. Today, Dow hinted at higher plastic and packaging prices ahead.

    By • Updated July 24, 2026
  • A close-up view of various old corrugated boxes that are flattened.
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    OCC price increases evoke divergent effects across value chain

    Following a sluggish 2025, OCC prices have climbed through 2026. While recyclers are riding the wave of higher prices, containerboard producers aren’t so excited.

    By , Megan Quinn • July 22, 2026
  • Aluminum sheet coil at Novelis' Oswego, New York, production facility.
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    Courtesy of Novelis
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    Trump offers to cut aluminum tariffs in half for onshoring promises

    Companies that agree to begin work on expanded aluminum production facilities by Jan. 20, 2029, would receive relief for the 50% levy under a to-be-established federal program.

    By Phil Neuffer • Updated July 21, 2026
  • President Donald Trump holds up his hands in the Oval Office of the White House on June 11, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    US slaps 50% tariffs on many Canada imports

    The Section 338 duties apply to a wide variety of products — including paper and wood products — even if they qualify for duty-free treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

    By Antone Gonsalves • Updated July 21, 2026
  • blue plastic bottles crushed together
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    Getty Images
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    Bottle recovery rates dropped in 2024, but other plastic rates rose

    A report prepared for the Association of Plastic Recyclers and the U.S. Plastics Pact also indicates a shift in film collection.

    By Megan Quinn • July 20, 2026
  • Two clear glass bottles of water with branding for Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages.
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    Permission granted by Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages
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    Packaging innovations: Waiākea splashes into reusable glass bottles

    Plus, LyondellBasell, IPG and Duni Group introduce plastic products made from reworked material compositions.

    By • July 17, 2026
  • An aerial view of an industrial facility's campus.
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    Permission granted by Graphic Packaging International
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    Graphic Packaging introduces inaugural URB product

    GPI’s mill in Waco, Texas, has so far specialized in CRB but will add the new boxboard grade. The shift comes at a time when competitors also are reevaluating their boxboard portfolios.

    By • July 14, 2026
  • Plastic and paper packaging sit next to each other
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    Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Molded fiber producers tout growth, innovations despite regulatory hurdle

    Technology advancements that reduce PFAS and improve dry molding — and brands’ pivots from single-use plastics — are driving growth. Yet molded fiber might not be recyclable under a new California law.

    By • July 13, 2026
  • People sit at tables in a large room while observing speakers sitting in chairs on a stage.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Insights from the 2026 Packaging Recycling Summit

    Catch up on Packaging Dive’s coverage from the fourth annual event, including about brands’ EPR challenges and work toward solutions for recycling film and small-format packaging.

    By • July 2, 2026