PET reclaimer rPlanet Earth closes in California

The closure of the vertically integrated PET recycler and food packaging manufacturer destabilizes the state’s Grade B PET markets. It is the second such closure in 2025, as PET reclaimers have weathered market challenges.

By Megan Quinn • 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

Open-source template aims to simplify EPR data reporting

“The intention of this is to enable companies do great things instead of chasing data,” said Matthew Wright of Specright, a member of the Sustainable Packaging Data Council along with Costco, Sonoco and others.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 4, 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

Wholesalers shed more light on Oregon packaging EPR legal challenge

Oregon agencies received an extension to respond to the lawsuit until mid-September, per an update Friday. In the meantime, wholesalers are analyzing potential legal issues with EPR laws in other states.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 25, 2025

Canada to scale back retaliatory tariffs for US imports on Sept. 1

The country will lift levies on goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement while maintaining sector-specific duties on steel, aluminum and cars.

By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 22, 2025

Recycling and waste groups ‘disappointed’ by lack of plastics treaty

Plastics groups will push recycling over environmentalists’ calls for plastic production caps. Recycling groups will monitor the next round of talks for clues on infrastructure and end market impacts.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 19, 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

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

USDA funds packaging innovations for $143B specialty crop export industry

The Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab, through Clemson University, selected projects to help align with international regulations like the EU’s PPWR. Companies involved include Kwik Lok, NatureSweet, Sway and others.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 7, 2025

US to install country-specific tariffs Aug. 7

President Donald Trump signed an executive order codifying rates for over 60 trading partners while extending a USMCA tariff pause and levying a 35% tariff on non-compliant imports from Canada.

By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 1, 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

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

US, EU agree to lower tariffs in ‘framework’ deal

Most imports from the bloc would face a 15% tariff under the pact, but steel and aluminum remain at 50%, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Sunday.

By Philip Neuffer • July 27, 2025

What plastic, paper and metal commodity experts are watching with tariffs

Leaders from the American Forest & Paper Association, Can Manufacturers Institute and Plastics Industry Association offered perspectives on challenges and manufacturing opportunities in recycled and virgin materials markets.

By Megan Quinn • July 25, 2025

Unpacking 2025’s private equity activity trends

The first half of the year saw 71 PE deals in containers and packaging, according to PitchBook data. Analysts break down the economic factors influencing PE activity and exits in packaging, or lack thereof.

By Maria Rachal • July 23, 2025

Amazon charts 28% drop in North American shipments containing single-use plastic packaging

The e-commerce giant released its 2024 sustainability report on Wednesday, highlighting collaboration with SC Johnson, Mondi, Shorr Packaging, Pregis and more.

By Maria Rachal • July 17, 2025

US plans 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico

President Donald Trump unveiled the new duty rates, set to begin Aug. 1, in separate letters shared on social media.

By Max Garland , Philip Neuffer • July 14, 2025

US plans 35% tariffs on Canada imports

President Donald Trump said the duties will take effect Aug. 1 while decrying the country’s retaliatory levies to U.S. tariffs. 

By Philip Neuffer • 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

‘Please don’t blame the consumer’: Recycling partners urged to recenter messaging

Brands, packaging companies and recyclers must cater to consumers to improve recycling rates, said Packaging Recycling Summit speakers. When recycling isn’t convenient, the “wheels fall off,” said the U.S. Plastics Pact CEO.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 10, 2025

Packaging M&A may not rise until next year, analysts say

Deal volume has been somewhat similar in 2025 as in 2024. Tariff uncertainty could dampen growth in the months to come, analysts note.

By Maria Rachal • July 9, 2025

4 collaborative projects that aim to advance packaging recycling

Speakers at the Packaging Recycling Summit detailed how brands, packaging manufacturers, recyclers, academics and others across the supply chain are teaming up to improve how packaging is managed at end of life.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 2, 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