Sourcing challenges, producer registration present some initial hurdles for recycled content laws

Washington state recently began enforcing certain recycled plastic requirements for brands’ containers. While many producers have cleared early thresholds, regulators say there’s more work to do.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 18, 2024

Cardboard recycling rate plunges following AF&PA’s calculation revamp

The American Forest & Paper Association overhauled how it calculates and reports recycling data. The cardboard recycling rate is now closer to results from alternative methodologies, including Bloomberg Intelligence’s.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 15, 2024

Trump’s tariffs: How manufacturers can prepare

Front-loading commodity imports could be a temporary solution, but diversified sourcing will be critical for the long term, experts say.

By Kate Magill • Nov. 14, 2024

Cans increased share again as overall beer shipments declined in 2023

The Beer Institute shed light on how the packaging mix for the sector is evolving. Executives at packaging companies including Ball, Crown and O-I Glass have weighed in on how beer trends are impacting their businesses.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 11, 2024

Packaging innovations at Pack Expo 2024: Pactiv Evergreen cartons go dry, Packsize melts emissions

Plus, Accredo Packaging sweetens the pouch space with a 100% biobased bag, Greif shows off a recycled fiber food container with a water-based coating and Georgia-Pacific’s mailers get gusseted up.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Nov. 8, 2024

Automation, labor shortage discussions permeate largest-ever Pack Expo

Sustainability also sat among the top themes at Pack Expo International in Chicago this week, including a focus on reusable and flexible packaging. PMMI says the event broke records for attendance and the number of exhibitors.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 7, 2024

Southwest Airlines brings bamboo on board for new cups

The airline recently stirred up change when it began stocking the bamboo-based cold beverage cups and wooden stir sticks, following a yearlong R&D process stemming from plastic reduction goals. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 29, 2024

Sway scaling compostable seaweed-based polybags with fashion brands

Prana, Faherty and other brands will begin using the bags to package items like shirts and shorts. California-based material innovation startup Sway says the next applications it’s eyeing include mailers and multilayer packaging.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Oct. 25, 2024

PulPac leverages partnerships to advance its dry molded fiber technology

The company is experiencing growth as it touts its technology's carbon footprint benefits over the wet molding process. Identifying coatings free of PFAS is a sticking point, says Chief Commercial Officer Sanna Fager.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 15, 2024

Packaging innovations: United Airlines’ canned wine, Chivas Regal’s light spirits

Plus, RXDco puts cannabis in a cocoon, Novolex flags product tampering and KYSU switches from plastic to paper. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 11, 2024

Inside the debate over PLA, the packaging industry’s favorite bioplastic

Polylactic acid has been around for decades, but it only became popular as an option for compostable packaging more recently. While some environmental groups question its credentials, the packaging sector expects demand to grow.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Oct. 8, 2024

Why sustainable packaging materials matter in B2C shipping

The rapid rise in e-commerce, and the resulting increase in B2C shipping, has revolutionized how consumers receive products. However, this convenience has come at a significant environmental cost.

Oct. 7, 2024

Packaging innovations: Hot Pockets go sleeveless, Henkel’s coating lightens dry food packaging

Plus, hair care brand Overtone joins a Target sustainability initiative as it launches tubes with a new look and PCR.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 4, 2024

BPI Summit highlights ongoing compostable packaging debate ahead of USDA decision

World Centric, the California Compost Coalition, Athens Services, Dirt Hugger, A1 Organics, Moonshot Compost and others weighed in with their thoughts about this growing category of packaging.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Oct. 2, 2024

Packaging trade shows to watch in 2025

Mark your calendar: These U.S. conferences and events will cover timely trends in sustainable packaging design, recycling technologies, regional market trends, substrate evolutions, automation and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024

Packaging innovations: Bottle material changes from Albertsons and Johnnie Walker

Plus, Cambio Roasters and Glatfelter debut new coffee pod packaging, while Sleever partners with Carbios for a biodegradable shrink sleeve.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 27, 2024

Research spotlights how food-contact chemicals found in packaging show up in humans

Challenges with regulating food-contact chemicals and materials “are diverse and legislation often does not keep up with the latest scientific understanding,” researchers wrote in a widely covered scientific journal article.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 26, 2024

New molded fiber company will use industrial hemp as main feedstock

Renw seeks to minimize reliance on forestry assets in packaging by expanding the growth of industrial hemp, which will be used as a feedstock at the company’s molded fiber production facilities.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 25, 2024

Thermoform reclamation rises along with rPET demand

As one speaker at the Packaging Recycling Summit called thermoforms an “untapped source” for reclaimed PET, Rumpke Waste & Recycling plans to begin accepting the containers in curbside recycling.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 24, 2024

Home Depot phases out EPS, PVC in fiber packaging overhaul

The process required ample testing and collaboration. “We sell light bulbs, we sell appliances, we sell toilets. These are products that are prone to damage if they are not secured with the right packaging,” said one sustainability leader.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 20, 2024

Breaking out of the mold: Innovations in molded fiber drive growth

Speakers at an International Molded Fiber Association event detailed advancements in the energy efficiency of manufacturing equipment, dry molded fiber and R&D to expand into new end-use markets.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 18, 2024

Packaging innovations: Johnnie Walker’s lightest bottle design, Seda’s double-walled compostable cold cups

Plus, Sonoco scales its paper-based cans, Braskem touts packaging material made from used cooking oil and Sealed Air details its work with Best Buy on protective packaging.

By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Sept. 17, 2024

Molded fiber’s growth as a plastic replacement isn’t pulp fiction

While the market is expanding, speakers at an International Molded Fiber Association event said it still faces an entrenched competitor in plastic and hurdles with feedstock availability, energy use and other factors.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 16, 2024

As Amazon and others nix air pillows, packaging manufacturers diversify to cushion the blow

Packaging companies are having to adapt to keep up as e-commerce expands and protective packaging trends shift. Retailers are trying new void fill materials, rightsizing packages and more.

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 10, 2024

How to deliver high protective performance with sustainable block and brace packaging

As consumer demand for sustainability rises and regulations tighten, companies are abandoning plastic foams and switching to more sustainable alternatives.

Sept. 9, 2024