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

Keurig Dr Pepper and Circular Action Alliance leader talks EPR and closing gap on 2025 sustainability targets

Charlie Schwarze, the beverage giant’s senior director of sustainability and board chair for the producer responsibility organization, spoke with Packaging Dive about what’s ahead in 2024.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 6, 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

What’s next for Ball’s ‘startup’ aluminum cups business

Ball is touting a “premium experience” as it ventures beyond sports and entertainment into leisure and lodging, including at Colorado ski resorts, said Emily Fong Mitchell, president and general manager for Ball Aluminum Cups.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 4, 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

Packaging innovation by online grocery and meal-kit companies focuses on reduction and reuse

With takeback systems and seasonal packaging based on algorithms, companies such as HelloFresh and Misfits Market are working toward using less material in their deliveries.

By Hollie Stephens • Nov. 29, 2023

Returnable packaging could cut material use as much as 75%: study

Amcor, Amazon, L'Oréal, PepsiCo and other brands were part of an advisory group for an Ellen MacArthur Foundation project that assessed reusable plastic packaging systems for beverage, personal care and food products.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 28, 2023

European Parliament advances rules to reduce packaging by 2030 and beyond

Following months of lobbying by manufacturers, brands and trade groups, members supported reductions in packaging waste, recyclability requirements, bans on PFAS and BPA in food-contact packaging and other provisions.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Nov. 28, 2023

Using more packaging could cut food waste, research suggests

Ameripen, which backed consumer research by Michigan State University, says findings could spark a closer look at date labeling and other on-pack messaging as well as how to balance freshness features with weight concerns.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 21, 2023

Reusables are only 1% of major brands’ plastic packaging but have growth potential

A recent report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows limited progress on switching away from single-use plastics. An Oceana report sees big potential for Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and others to expand refill systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 21, 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

Big things for small packages: Working to capture tiny recyclables

Small-format plastic packaging can’t be properly recycled via conventional residential systems. Representatives from Estée Lauder, Ulta and MIT discussed potential solutions at the Packaging Recycling Summit.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 20, 2023

Viva reuse: Las Vegas casino adding Ecospirits refill system in 2024

With a new facility set to open in Nevada next year, the Closed Loop Partners-backed company hopes to demonstrate the value of its system for refilling alcohol bottles in high-volume settings.

By Hollie Stephens • Nov. 17, 2023

US recycling rates have stagnated. Can collaborative packaging solutions turn them around?

Speakers from Tetra Pak, Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz and General Mills discussed at the Packaging Recycling Summit how to work together to improve recycling — even though collaborating with competitors can pose challenges.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 15, 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

Brands, packaging companies and recyclers talk collaboration to improve recycling

Speakers from LRS, Myplas, P&G, PMMI, Rumpke and more connected at the Packaging Recycling Summit to hash out ways to improve recycling and product recyclability as “really, really rapid” packaging changes occur.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 13, 2023

Amcor looks to source recycled PE from forthcoming Nova Chemicals facility

The Indiana rPE plant’s first line is on track for an early 2025 start. “We can't wait until Connersville is up and running for us to consider future investments” or M&A, said Nova Chemicals’ director of mechanical recycling.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 13, 2023

Packaging innovations: Reusable crates go bananas, medical packaging goes monomaterial

Plus, PepsiCo rolls out more easily recyclable paper packaging and Eco-Products hopes snap lids appeal to customers in plastic-restricted markets.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 10, 2023

Farewell to foam: Cup Noodles’ iconic container undergoes substrate switch to fiber

Graphic Packaging International helped to make the iconic package microwaveable for the first time. The polystyrene cup was always "an opportunity for improvement," according to a Nissin Foods USA executive.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 9, 2023

Researchers find PFAS in non-plastic straws, complicating sustainability efforts

Straws have been a prime focus for anti-plastic groups but remain prevalent. Recent studies showing the presence of toxic chemicals in a range of “eco-friendly” alternatives highlights the complexity of eliminating the hazard.

By Lela Nargi • Nov. 8, 2023

Amcor touts growing chemical recycling partnerships in 2023 sustainability report

As it seeks more recycled and recyclable product materials, Amcor said absolute greenhouse gas emissions declined in FY23. It awaits approval by the Science Based Targets initiative for targets going forward.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 7, 2023