Minnesota taps Circular Action Alliance for EPR program

Producers must register in Minnesota later this year. The CEO of CAA says the producer responsibility organization’s work in other states “enables us to immediately find efficiencies for producers” and “scale best practices.”

By Maria Rachal • Updated 12 hours ago

Metal packaging manufacturers raise red flags over new tariffs

Both packaging and “consumer prices will go up” as manufacturers pass down increased costs, said Can Manufacturers Institute President Robert Budway.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 11, 2025

Green Guides updates still pending as states lead on labeling

Packaging industry leaders think discussion at the congressional level could be possible this year on how to create greater unity for recyclability, compostability and other labeling standards.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 10, 2025

Bottle bills are ‘gold standard’ for raising UBC recycling rates: CRI

The Container Recycling Institute recommended new bottle bills in an effort to keep up with U.S. aluminum consumption as recycling rates decline.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 6, 2025

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs to impact paper, plastic packaging

U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive orders on tariffs against multiple countries are drawing pricing and supply chain concerns from the Plastics Industry Association, American Forest & Paper Association and others.

By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 3, 2025

The packaging industry outlook for 2025

The evolution of packaging EPR, potential for more industry-reshaping megadeals, shifting attitudes on plastics and sustainability goals, and Trump’s mark on trade and federal funding are dynamic areas to watch.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025

Zeldin is confirmed as the new EPA administrator. What’s next?

The former New York representative will helm the agency as it navigates executive orders pausing climate programs and reviews pending regulations that could affect the recycling industry.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Jan. 29, 2025

D.C.’s proposed bottle bill aims to tackle pollution

It calls for a disposal ban on covered beverage containers, followed by a 10-cent deposit starting in 2028, with a recycling rate target of 70% the first year.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 29, 2025

Packaging groups eye federal changes, state EPR evolution in 2025

The structure of anticipated tariffs is front of mind for some packaging and material organizations. They’re also gearing up for more mature EPR and deposit return policy negotiations this year.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 28, 2025

European Commission requires 5 divestitures for IP-DS Smith deal

International Paper agreed to sell plants in three countries to gain approval. The acquisition is slated to close Jan. 31.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 24, 2025

Sprouts accused of falsely labeling private label table ware as ‘compostable’

A class action lawsuit claims the grocer and manufacturer marked the products as compostable despite containing “forever chemicals.” 

By Peyton Bigora • Jan. 23, 2025

Trump freezes Inflation Reduction Act funding

The White House issued a memo the following day to clarify the funding pause, specifying that it pertains only to aspects of the law mentioned in Section 2 of the executive order.

By Kate Magill • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

The countdown to the EU’s new packaging regulation begins

The new regulation on packaging and packaging waste, poised to reshape recyclability, reuse and more, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Wednesday.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 22, 2025

EPA nominee Zeldin advances out of committee for final confirmation vote

During a prior hearing, nominee Lee Zeldin highlighted his plan to balance environmental and economic concerns. He said he’s still developing an understanding of chemical recycling.

By Megan Quinn • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

What packaging designers should know about FDA’s proposed nutrition info box

Industry sources predict required front-of-pack labeling could mean giving up key real estate in costly redesigns — or, more optimistically, an opportunity for some brands to modernize packaging and rethink consumer messaging.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 15, 2025

FDA formally proposes front-of-pack nutrition labels

This could force food manufacturers to update their packaging in the coming years. The agency says the goal with a new nutrition info box is to combat chronic diseases.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 14, 2025

Alcohol regulators unlock new market opportunity for glass bottles

Changes to a dated rule this week mean certain alcoholic beverages sold in cans now have the option to be packaged in glass.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 10, 2025

5 packaging industry trends to watch in 2025

Donald Trump’s return to the White House, evolving conditions for M&A, more mature state policy negotiations and a reckoning around 2025 plastics reduction targets are some of the factors poised to affect the industry.

By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Jan. 8, 2025

EPR for packaging laws: Dates to know

Keep track of the latest developments with Circular Action Alliance and upcoming milestones expected in California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota and Oregon.

By Maria Rachal • Updated 19 hours ago

Life cycle assessments loom large for the outcome of EPR programs

Oregon is currently unique among U.S. states in using this environmental impact tool in its packaging regulation. Experts say the decision comes with many complex considerations, including about plastic.

By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 7, 2025

International Paper agrees to European concessions for DS Smith deal

IP’s limited footprint overlap with DS Smith previously led analysts to anticipate few or no antitrust concerns. But recent deals might have prompted regulators to alter their views of market concentration, according to The Freedonia Group.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 6, 2025

CalRecycle releases source reduction baseline report; updates on foam enforcement

In other SB 54 developments, CalRecycle also updated some recyclability and compostability designations on the covered material categories list.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 3, 2025

Circular Action Alliance CEO details 2025 priorities

Months into the job, Jeff Fielkow discussed the fast-growing producer responsibility organization’s focus areas, as well as the importance of needs assessments and harmonization.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 2, 2025

Packaging laws taking effect in 2025

Expect to see changes in some states at hotels, restaurants and grocery stores, including restrictions to single-use plastic bottles, foam takeout containers, PFAS in packaging and more.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 2, 2025

2024 packaging trends by the numbers

These are some of the stats illustrating key storylines this year in policy and regulation, M&A activity, manufacturing, pricing, recycling, sustainability goals and more.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Dec. 20, 2024