Sustainability

  • A cheeseburger served in a compostable food container at San Francisco's Jefferson Elementary School, on Dec. 15, 2025. The container is wrapped in plastic film to ensure food safety and to avoid spillage during transport.
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    Permission granted by Mary Catherine O'Connor
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    Deep Dive

    Compostable packaging acceptance remains contentious even as sector scales

    Regulatory questions cloud the segment’s future, as do concerns about feedstocks, material capabilities and compostability claims.

    By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Jan. 12, 2026
  • A close up of baled plastic recyclable bottles and containers.
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    Getty Images
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    Abandoning packaging sustainability a ‘serious strategic miscalculation’: Bain

    Companies are still pursuing sustainable packaging strategies even though they’ve toned down public messaging about it, according to a newly released report from Bain & Co. Substrate switches remain a leading strategy.

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
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    5 packaging industry trends to watch in 2026

    Long-anticipated EPR and labeling regulations are poised to have very real impacts. The M&A cycle is advancing. And is there nowhere to go but up for containerboard?

    By , • Jan. 8, 2026
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    2025 packaging trends by the numbers

    A $10.4 billion acquisition. Two new EPR laws. A $1 billion kraft linerboard mill investment. These were some of the figures that stood out in the packaging industry this year.

    By , • Dec. 23, 2025
  • Dry ice is being made from a machine while a person's hands wearing protective gear scoops the dry ice pellets.
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    Deep Dive

    Cold-chain packaging companies adapt as dry ice supply falters

    Tight supply of the CO2 used to make dry ice is creating ripple effects across supply chains. Packaging suppliers are stepping up with cold-chain innovations to address the trend and to improve safety and sustainability.

    By • Dec. 15, 2025
  • A lineup of semi trucks parked in a lot, with some trucks displaying company logos and various colors.
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    Image by Renee Gaudet from Pixabay

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    Sponsored by Fibre Box Association

    Corrugated vs. RPCs: Evaluating cost and performance

    Corrugated containers vs. RPCs: Understanding the cost and environmental factors in packaging choices.

    Dec. 8, 2025
  • An Amcor sign on a building
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    Courtesy of Amcor
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    Amcor eyes ‘dual end of life’ optionality for innovation investments

    The company’s long-term R&D strategy includes seeking solutions that work in a future with recycling or composting infrastructure, explained Rebecca Meile, manager of corporate venturing and open innovation.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • Dozens of Babybel cheese products in red packaging come off a production conveyor belt.
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    Permission granted by Bel Group
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    Say cheese: How Babybel is commercializing its plastic-to-paper makeover

    Bel Group is spending millions to adapt its global production lines to handle the fiber substrate instead of biobased plastic, said the VP of research, innovation and development. But the signature red wax isn’t going anywhere.

    By • Updated Dec. 1, 2025
  • Equipment at ExxonMobil's advanced recycling facility in Baytown, Texas
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    Courtesy of ExxonMobil
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    US Plastics Pact weighs pluses and minuses of chemical recycling

    The group’s new position paper tackles a polarizing issue. “Too often, these technologies are talked about in extremes — either as a silver bullet or as something to be dismissed outright,” said CEO Jonathan Quinn.

    By Megan Quinn • Nov. 21, 2025
  • A lineup of six lightweighted beverage bottles (two Coca-Cola bottles, 2 Fanta bottles, 2 Sprite bottles)
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    Courtesy of Coca-Cola
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    How much further can source reduction in packaging go?

    U.S. packaging volumes reportedly fell by about 5 million metric tons between 2019 and 2024, despite population growth and an e-commerce boom. Future progress will require trade-offs, brand owners and packaging converters say.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
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    Permission granted by Tetra Pak
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    Sponsored by Tetra Pak

    What every packaging company can learn from the carton recycling journey

    Packaging companies should build recyclability into their materials from the start. Here’s how.

    Nov. 17, 2025
  • A pile of mixed recyclables of different materials, including bottles and containers
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    How packaging producers and CPGs stacked up in EMF’s 2025 progress report

    As the Ellen MacArthur Foundation engages businesses on an updated 2030 agenda, these are some of the 2024 data highlights from the businesses involved in the “first chapter” since the Global Commitment’s 2018 launch.

    By • Nov. 14, 2025
  • A closeup of beverage cans and bottles for recycling
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    Getty Images
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    Aluminum beverage can recycling rate hit 75% globally: report

    The update at COP30 comes two years after the industry pledged to recycle at least 80% of these containers worldwide by 2030 and nearly all by 2050. The picture is weaker in the U.S. and North America.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
  • Two people sit on stage in front of a background that reads "Redefining Recyclability"
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    Cole Rosengren/Packaging Dive
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    California’s labeling law resets the market for recyclability claims

    SB 343 has prompted concerns about packaging categories such as cartons, flexibles, film, small-format and more.

    By • Oct. 27, 2025
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    Polycoated paper proponents prepare for EPR

    After its first two years, the industry-formed Poly Coated Paper Alliance is focusing on establishing universal design guidance, as well as further work on end markets and communication.

    By • Oct. 21, 2025
  • Wide shot of a building exterior with the "Myplas" logo.
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    One year after acquisition, GDB details revival strategy for Minnesota film recycling plant

    Since acquiring the Myplas USA plant that shuttered after only months in operation, GDB Circular says it has turned the site into a “flagship” facility.

    By • Oct. 17, 2025
  • 2 bottles of P&G's Head & Shoulders Bare shampoo
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    Courtesy of P&G
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    P&G on track for 2030 packaging goals, despite challenges with flexibles

    Shareholders did not support a resolution regarding flexible packaging during the company’s annual meeting this week. The CPG is about 80% of the way to making all of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030.

    By • Updated Oct. 21, 2025
  • Two people, one from CalRecycle and one from GreenBlue sit on a stage in front of a sign that says How2Recycle Summit 2025
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    Cole Rosengren/Packaging Dive
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    EPR anxiety: CPGs and regulators prepare for generational policy shift

    Costs, policy divergence and relationships were a big focus at events hosted by GreenBlue and the Northeast Recycling Council. CalRecycle, Oregon DEQ, Circular Action Alliance and others weighed in on what’s next.

    By • Oct. 15, 2025
  • A person stands between shelves of items in a Target store with shopping carts
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Target rethinking 2025 recyclability, PCR, plastic reduction goals

    The retailer said in its newly released sustainability report that it’s “evolving” certain goals as it continues to try to transform packaging for its owned brands.

    By • Oct. 9, 2025
  • Hundreds of people in a convention center
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Top packaging trade shows in 2026

    Coming up in Q1: the EPR Think Tank, the East Coast edition of Pack Expo, the Plastics Recycling Conference and more.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Jan. 5, 2026
  • Equipment with branding for TemperPack is set up in an exposition hall.
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    Closed Loop to loan TemperPack $10M

    This is Closed Loop’s third loan since 2018 for the Virginia-based cold-chain packaging solutions company focused on plant-based alternatives to plastic foam.

    By • Sept. 30, 2025
  • A view of the California state flag, which has an image of the bear and the words "California Republic."
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturers scrutinize supply chains for California scope 3 emissions disclosures

    While federal regulations may be on hold, California is moving ahead with greenhouse gas reporting requirements. Packaging companies are digging deep into their data to get ready.

    By Mary Catherine O’Connor • Sept. 22, 2025
  • Two paper containers next to each other both have small, green labels indicating they are home and commercial compostable.
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    Permission granted by Biodegradable Products Institute
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    BPI introduces home compostable certification, label

    The home compostable initiative will complement the group’s existing commercial certification to expand access to composting opportunities and reduce confusion, according to BPI Executive Director Rhodes Yepsen.

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart reiterates challenges with 2025 PCR goal

    With months to go in 2025, the retailer reported last week that it’s been “difficult to source feedstock in the necessary quantities and at price points that support our packaging goals and everyday low prices.”

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
  • Close-up shot of many Evian water bottles in a haphazard pile.
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    Roy Rochlin via Getty Images
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    Danone settles 2 plastic packaging lawsuits

    Under agreements with the Earth Island Institute and the Plastic Pollution Coalition, the CPG will change certain marketing statements about plastic recycling and contribute funds to plastic packaging reduction efforts.

    By • Updated Sept. 15, 2025