Technology & Innovation: Page

  • A side-by-side comparison of Kraft Singles packaging before and after the brand refresh.
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    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
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    Kraft Singles refreshes brand with bold colors, easier-to-open packaging

    The first overhaul in five years arrives as the brand looks to maintain its momentum during a period of high inflation. 

    By Sara Karlovitch • May 23, 2023
  • A person putting a plastic bottle into a recycling bin.
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    Courtesy of Penn State. Creative Commons
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    Penn State no longer accepting compostable packaging, certain plastics in recycling programs

    The “food waste only” composting model is intended to cut down on contamination — but non-food items might be re-added in the future.

    By • May 22, 2023
  • An opened 12-pack package of Budweiser beer with a music magazine printed on the package's inside.
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    Screenshot: Budweiser/YouTube 

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    Packaging innovations: Budweiser’s music box, Quilted Northern puts paper on paper and more

    Catch up on six new packaging technologies and redesigns involving Pepsi, Georgia-Pacific, Bertolli, Ardagh, Ball, Tetra Pak and others.

    By • May 19, 2023
  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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    Getty Images
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    Flexible and compostable product groups discuss circularity goals for hard-to-recycle packaging

    The executive directors of the Flexible Packaging Association and Biodegradable Products Institute discussed what their stakeholders view as important tenets of EPR policies.

    By • May 18, 2023
  • Conveyor belt of plastic water bottles
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    Getty Images
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    LanzaTech, Plastipak partner on ‘world’s first’ PET made from carbon emissions

    The two Midwestern companies say the product can be used in food-safe applications and could help customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions.

    By • May 18, 2023
  • Top view of multiple wine bottles
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    Getty Images
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    The future of wine packaging: Lighter bottles and less glass

    Champagne Telmont recently announced the creation of what it says is the lightest champagne bottle in the world. Meanwhile, canned and boxed wines are gaining traction among high-end consumers.

    By Hollie Stephens • May 17, 2023
  • Plastic bottles baled for recycling
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    Getty Images
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    Reports recommend packaging changes ahead of next global plastics treaty negotiations

    The UN Environment Programme and WWF dug into areas for intervention across the product life cycle, like designing for circularity, substituting other materials for plastics, EPR for packaging, reuse and deposit return systems.

    By • May 17, 2023
  • A squeezable tube made from fiber material.
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    Courtesy of Stora Enso
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    Packaging innovations: Stora Enso and Tubex put a twist on tube caps, ClearBags’ pouches shape up

    Catch up on some of the latest news on packaging redesigns and material changes for beauty product refills, compostable containers and more.

    By • May 12, 2023
  • Plastics products with chasing arrow recycling symbol
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    The image by Marco Verch is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    FTC's Green Guides update

    Packaging, recycling groups urge FTC to modernize Green Guides

    Numerous industry and advocacy groups shared recommendations on how to update environmental marketing and recyclability guidelines, which they say are woefully out of date since the last edit in 2012.

    By Megan Quinn , • April 27, 2023
  • Fiber box package containing sushi.
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    Courtesy of Graphic Packaging International
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    Packaging innovations: Graphic’s paper-based sushi packaging, Garnier’s recycled PET bottle

    Catch up on the latest news about packaging shifts from Puracy, Danimer Scientific, TotalEnergies Corbion, MAX Solutions, Lay’s and others.

    By • April 21, 2023
  • A cafe at Google.
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    Courtesy of Google
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    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 • April 20, 2023
  • A kiosk that accepts reusable shopping bag returns.
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    Permission granted by Closed Loop Partners
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    Returnable retail bag trial launches at CVS Health, Target stores

    Immediately receiving $1 in cash upon returning a borrowed bag provides a stronger incentive to participate than some other deposit programs, according to organizers from Closed Loop Partners.

    By • April 19, 2023
  • Three products from Albertsons' O Organics line.
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    Courtesy of Albertsons
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    Why Albertsons gave its O Organics brand a makeover

    As store brands rake in sales, the grocer wanted to punch up the previously “stale” design with a colorful, modern look, said Brandon Brown, senior vice president of Own Brands.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 17, 2023
  • Cherry tomatoes
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    Getty Images
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    Copycat packaging claims at the heart of grape tomato lawsuit

    NatureSweet alleges Mastronardi is mimicking its “iconic” Cherubs grape tomato packaging for the third time.

    By • April 14, 2023
  • Colored PET packaging that looks like sea glass.
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    Courtesy of Ampacet
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    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 • April 14, 2023
  • A Hasbro Transformers toy in packaging.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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 • April 12, 2023
  • Waste and recycling bins in Montgomery County, Maryland
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    Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive
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    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 • April 12, 2023
  • A pile of plastic bottles.
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    Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Reflecting on a dramatic decade of EPR shifts and what it means for packaging

    Michael Washburn, now a senior policy advisor for The Recycling Partnership, hit a wall in his efforts to promote EPR while working at Nestlé Waters North America. Today, he says “almost everything” has changed.

    By • April 11, 2023
  • A greenhouse building where research and development takes place.
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    Courtesy of Frito-Lay North America
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    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 • April 7, 2023
  • A clay bowl next to its base clay material or "dust."
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    Permission granted by GaeaStar
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    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 • April 6, 2023
  • Amcor logo
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    Permission granted by Amcor
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    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 • April 4, 2023
  • International Paper's new logo.
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    Courtesy of International Paper/Cision
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    Q&A

    International Paper puts sustainability at heart of its rebrand on 125th anniversary

    What’s in a logo? The company gathered input from customers and employees to influence the forest-driven symbols and messaging as the pulp giant’s focus has evolved.

    By • March 31, 2023
  • A pile of plastic bottles.
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    Getty Images
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    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 • March 30, 2023
  • Photo illustration of cardboard box
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Deep Dive

    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 , , • March 27, 2023
  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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    Getty Images
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    Flexible packaging expected to boom, despite limited recycling capabilities: PMMI report

    Flexible plastic packaging and compostable packaging are predicted to see big gains, but few people in the U.S. have access to recycling programs for those materials.

    By • March 24, 2023