Packaging laws taking effect in 2024

Multiple state regulations come into force in July, including stricter certification and labeling standards for compostables in Colorado.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 2, 2024

Packaging innovations: Südpack gets fishy, Kellanova trims plastic

Plus, Redsmith Distillery feels blue over recycled glass and Tipa blows the lid off of compostable coffee pods.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 22, 2023

Packaging’s holiday connection

Packaging is in the spotlight around the holidays, as consumers seek more sustainable gift wrap alternatives and companies aim to lessen waste while maintaining surprise for e-commerce shipments.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Dec. 22, 2023

These companies are rethinking gift packaging to reduce holiday waste

Wrapping paper and gift packaging can be notoriously hard to recycle. Companies such as Metsä Board, Wrappily, Creative Retail Packaging and EcoEnclose are pursuing new solutions.

By Hayley Lind • Dec. 21, 2023

Ball pushes EPR with deposit return systems in latest ‘50 States of Recycling’ report

Recycling rates appear to have stagnated or declined because of pandemic-related shutdowns at many recycling centers and due to “inclusion of new and more accurate data.”

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 19, 2023

PVC’s future in question as EPA moves toward vinyl chloride risk review

PVC is a widespread component in some flexible packaging. Vinyl chloride was in the spotlight this year after release resulting from the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 15, 2023

Packaging innovations: Delta’s sky-high plastic elimination, Sirane’s plastic-free butter barrier

Plus, a TriMas affiliate develops tethered caps for Coca-Cola, Blue Lake Packaging introduces fiber-based tape and Emerald Packaging ups PCR in lettuce bags.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 15, 2023

Myplas opens plastic film recycling facility in Minnesota, its first in US

Backers including General Mills, Target and Closed Loop Partners contributed a collective $13 million joint equity investment for the facility that plans to recycle 90 million pounds of film annually.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 12, 2023

Lawmakers seek a national foam ban in 2026

Bill sponsors and advocates say it’s time for a nationwide approach after 11 states and many more local governments have enacted bans or restrictions on the sale of polystyrene foam products.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 12, 2023

Spotlight on compostable packaging: Design, labeling and infrastructure insights

Compostables have grown more mainstream — but they also face additional scrutiny. Read Packaging Dive’s top reporting on these issues during 2023.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Dec. 8, 2023

Mushroom and corn and seaweed, oh my: Evaluating plastic alternatives

As brands assess if, where and which bio-based plastic alternatives could play a role in packaging portfolios, analysis of these novel feedstocks must also focus on disposal, degradation and cost, outside groups say.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 7, 2023

Major glass recycler Strategic Materials files for bankruptcy, cites packaging shift as one factor

The company noted in filings that consumers are recycling less glass than in previous years, a trend “poised to continue as glass products are increasingly being replaced by plastic counterparts and/or aluminum cans.”

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 7, 2023

Republic Services opens Las Vegas polymer center to supply recycled plastic for packaging

The center is expected to produce 100 million pounds of recycled plastics per year. It’s the first of several such locations designed to boost availability of recycled content as companies like Coca-Cola seek more for packaging.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 5, 2023

Compostable packaging’s contested, complicated past doesn’t determine its future

Composters can struggle to manage the wide variety of new packaging entering the market, leading to greater calls for labeling guidelines and testing. Cities like San Francisco and Minneapolis offer case studies in how to make it work.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Dec. 5, 2023

Clemson’s FRESH initiative scaling up compostable product testing

The South Carolina university aims to meet growing demand from brands bringing new products to market.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Dec. 5, 2023

Compostable packaging is still evolving but popular. Here’s where experts say it could be most effective.

From farmers markets to Walmart to stadiums, compostable packaging is on the rise. Elevate Packaging, NatureWorks, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and others weigh in on how to get it right.

By Hollie Stephens • Dec. 4, 2023

Packaging innovations: Liberty Coca-Cola’s paper push, Corona’s can of a different color

Plus, Green Loop is making agave-derived pallets, Sofi Products knocks the lid off hot beverage cups, Mondi aims to cut the use of expanded polystyrene foam for white goods and Elopak helps smol's refill game.

By Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Dec. 1, 2023

Enhanced sustainable food packaging scorecard weighs chemicals of concern

The collaborative tool, which food service companies like Sodexo engage with, now considers how food temperature and other factors impact the likelihood of chemicals of concern to migrate.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 1, 2023

Oregon finalizes statewide recycling list as part of EPR law implementation

In addition to standardizing what can be collected — PET thermoforms did not make the initial cut — the rules also define “responsible” end markets and require PROs to manage materials according to environmental and labor rules.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 30, 2023

Tetra Pak’s paper-based barrier nearly eliminates metal in aseptic cartons

Tetra Pak set out to improve carton recyclability for a Portuguese customer and anticipates widespread production of this innovation by 2025.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 27, 2023

US Plastics Pact advises on role of mass balance in PCR certification

As the role chemical recycling will play in packaging evolves, the group aims to address questions and spur demand for postconsumer recycled content.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 27, 2023

Packaging innovations: JBM Packaging blocks water, Aptar caps containers for e-commerce

Plus, EcoEnclose and Sway incorporate seaweed into foldable cartons and Ardagh rounds out its bottle offerings.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 22, 2023

Competing LCAs offer differing views on the realities of reusable takeout systems

Life-cycle assessments indicate reusable takeout boxes and clamshells can have lower climate impacts, depending on how consumers use them. Reloop, McDonald’s and others are debating the issue ahead of a key vote in the EU.

By Leslie Nemo • Nov. 20, 2023

Edible packaging may be a plastic alternative, but it remains nascent

Companies such as Notpla, Evoware and Sorbos are pursuing concepts made from ingredients that include seaweed, rice and sugar in an attempt to replace more traditional packaging formats.

By Hollie Stephens • Nov. 15, 2023

Lower-carbon packaging gains traction in beauty and cosmetics

As more consumers say they prioritize sustainability, manufacturers are looking to reduce their products’ footprints by packaging them with new materials and postconsumer recycled content.

By Hayley Lind • Nov. 14, 2023