Google wants to try your reusable food service solutions

The tech giant put out an “open invitation to help reduce plastic waste” across its U.S. cafes and microkitchens.

By Maria Rachal • April 20, 2023

Weeding out single-use cannabis packaging waste

While some brands and states are looking for ways to reduce waste from this growing market, single-use plastics with limited recycling potential have already become the sector’s material of choice.

By Gaspard Le Dem • April 20, 2023

Replacing plastic bottles with paper: Beverage brands try to innovate past challenges

Packaging companies see a market opportunity to swap out plastic beverage packaging components. But molded fiber bottles present their own difficulties.

By Danielle Beurteaux • April 18, 2023

Packaging innovations: Ampacet’s glassy plastic, Chipotle goes biodegradable and more

Catch up on some of the latest packaging solutions and news from Novolex, ProAmpac, Avery Dennison and California Olive Ranch on PFAS alternatives, designing for recyclability and changing materials.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 14, 2023

Plastic recycling volumes bounce back after pandemic dip

A lot has been done to overcome early pandemic reductions but more work is needed — including EPR — to further boost supply and stabilize demand, said sponsors of a report by the Association of Plastic Recyclers.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 13, 2023

Conagra manufacturing disruption spurs canned food shortages

Issues securing and ensuring quality cans affected the availability of some products, according to a recent company earnings call.

By Kelly Stroh • April 13, 2023

Curbside film recycling can be a reality with the right equipment and policy updates, pilot suggests

End markets exist and EPR could spur the investments to upgrade MRFs to handle flexible plastics, but “you’ve got to figure out that last step” to capture existing packaging, said the Flexible Packaging Association’s CEO.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 12, 2023

Hasbro reintroduces plastic windows on toy packages, this time with plant-based content

Customer dissatisfaction with printed boxes and theft reportedly drove the decision to bring back plastic windows.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 12, 2023

PepsiCo prioritizes faster compostable packaging trials at new R&D center

The company says eliminating third-party labs for testing could get new products to market at least two to three times faster.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 7, 2023

Packaging M&A may be more measured, but still active, in year ahead

High interest rates and more consolidation may be limiting major deals, but the role of private equity and sustainability demand remain influential. Experts from Specright, Deutsche Bank and the Plastics Industry Association weigh in.

By Cole Rosengren • April 7, 2023

Clay cup creator hopes containers are a smash for replacing single-use plastics

The “drink to dust” innovation is designed to be smashed after use to return it to its inert base material, as an alternative to single-use plastics.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 6, 2023

Amcor seeks more partnerships to innovate in coatings, biobased materials, connected packaging

A year since Amcor announced an initiative to support seed-stage startups, its latest venture explores nanotechnology coatings to enhance barriers for recyclable and compostable packaging.

By Maria Rachal • April 4, 2023

Plastics Pact leader says design changes needed to improve flexible packaging recyclability

Chemical recycling could be one of several options for discarded flexibles, but it “certainly won’t be the unicorn to take all of the stuff that no one else wants,” said Executive Director Emily Tipaldo.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 4, 2023

As PFAS restrictions advance, paper industry struggles to phase out use

The toxic “forever chemicals” have long been used in the packaging sector. While companies say they’re being phased out, finding alternatives and fully eliminating them from effluent remain ongoing issues.

By April Reese • April 3, 2023

What’s next if 20% of companies shift 2025 plastic targets?

Gartner research anticipates that companies will abandon plastic recycling targets, instead opting for climate action such as greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Plastic recycling advocates disagree.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 30, 2023

Bio-based packaging gets renewed buzz amid goals to replace traditional plastics

Alternatives like seaweed and fungus-based materials are all the rage, attracting new investments and environmental prizes. Implementing them at scale is still a work in progress.

By Hollie Stephens • March 30, 2023

Polycoated paper packaging can’t be recycled everywhere. A new group is trying to change that.

The Poly Coated Paper Alliance will push for product design guidelines, updated specifications and common messaging for education and outreach. Sonoco, Stanpac, Procter & Gamble and others are founding members.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 29, 2023

5 factors influencing packaging design and operations

From navigating inflation and changing regulations to assessing the impact of automation and plastics M&A, these are some of the top industry trends to watch.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • March 27, 2023

For OCC demand and pricing, economic uncertainty puts quick recovery in question

Recycling and packaging executives have a range of predictions for what’s ahead as inflation and lagging consumer spending continue to have an impact.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 22, 2023

Berry Global 2022 ESG report shows uptick in PCR purchasing

The Indiana-based plastic packaging company said it’s been ahead of schedule on goals to reduce operational emissions, but one packaging sustainability target saw year-over-year decline amid changes to recyclability determinations.

By Maria Rachal • March 22, 2023

PPI data suggest lower packaging costs. Is inflation’s grip finally lessening?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’s data release signaled different price trends among plastic packaging products, paperboard and paper boxes and containers.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 21, 2023

To help boost postconsumer recycled content in packaging, US Plastics Pact shares industry toolkit

The open-source resource comes as the group and the industry have noted challenges around balancing supply and demand in the PCR market and increasing the use of PCR.

By Maria Rachal • March 14, 2023

Washington’s WRAP Act, including EPR and bottle bill plans, won’t move forward this year

The legislation gained attention as a significant overhaul to Washington’s recycling system, but waste industry opposition contributed to it dying in committee before a key deadline.

By Megan Quinn • March 10, 2023

Plastics recyclers examine influence of secondary sortation, legislation and flexible packaging on PCR markets

Speakers from Republic Services, AMP Robotics, IHS Markit, NOVA Chemicals, Eunomia and others discussed how to advance their efforts at this week’s Plastics Recycling Conference.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal , Jacob Wallace • March 8, 2023

Colorado’s lead composter will no longer process packaging in effort to curb contamination

The April changes came after A1 Organics said contamination rates are growing as curbside composting programs expand. Even items labeled "compostable" are no longer accepted.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 6, 2023