Regulation

  • Lee Zeldin speaks into a microphone
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    EPA administrator nominee talks PFAS, plastic and economy during confirmation 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 • Jan. 17, 2025
  • A woman looks down at a grocery item next to a freezer case
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    Courtney Hale via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 15, 2025
  • Example of proposed FDA front-of-pack nutrition label
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    Courtesy of U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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    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 • Jan. 14, 2025
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    Ratchapon Supprasert via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 10, 2025
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    lucop via Getty Images
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    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 , , • Jan. 8, 2025
  • A pile of mixed recyclables of different materials, including bottles and containers
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    Solnuha via Getty Images
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    EPR for packaging laws: Dates to know

    Keep track of milestones slated for 2025 and beyond in California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota and Oregon, and catch up on recent developments in those and other states.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • A person's hand points at a bale of plastic packaging collected for recycling
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    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
  • Blue and yellow flags bearing the European Commission logo fly in front of a building.
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    Carl Court via Getty Images
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    Acquisition of DS Smith

    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 • Jan. 6, 2025
  • hands hold two stacked foam food service containers
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    CHAIWATPHOTOS via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 3, 2025
  • Jeff Fielkow, CEO of Circular Action Alliance, sits and speaks on the SPC Advance stage to the left of Paul Nowak, executive director of GreenBlue
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive/Packaging Dive
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    Q&A

    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 • Jan. 2, 2025
  • Hotel toiletries in small bottles.
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    HowardOates via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 2, 2025
  • person bends over and picks up a stack of packages from a porch step
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    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 , • Dec. 20, 2024
  • The EPA sign is pictured with the building in the background.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    EPA to formally review vinyl chloride risks, may evaluate styrene

    Regulators will consider whether high-priority chemicals, including a building block of PVC, present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

    By • Dec. 19, 2024
  • Two workers in yellow hard hats stand over a conveyor belt full of recyclable materials, primarily plastics, in an industrial facility
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    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
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    What’s next now that Oregon has adopted final EPR for packaging rules

    Finalized rules include new permitting and living wage requirements for MRFs, as well as new fees the PRO will be expected to pay certain recyclers.

    By Megan Quinn • Dec. 19, 2024
  • Three people in suits and ties sit in chairs at a Congressional event
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Federal budget proposal with $136M in recycling and composting bills stalls

    The Recycling and Composting Accountability Act and Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act were initially part of a deal to fund the federal government, but that plan has since been scrapped.

    By • Updated Dec. 20, 2024
  • A roundtable of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council in Brussels on Dec. 16, 2024.
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    Courtesy of European Union
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    EU packaging regs advance

    EU packaging regulation clears final legislative hurdle

    The European Council adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. It’s expected to apply 18 months after it’s officially published.

    By • Dec. 16, 2024
  • Waste and recycling bins in Montgomery County, Maryland
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    Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive
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    Maryland late on EPR recommendations, continuing work into 2025

    The state is working to implement a 2023 law that calls for a recycling needs assessment. The advisory council says it needs that information to craft recommendations for packaging EPR legislation.

    By Megan Quinn • Dec. 12, 2024
  • A person speaks from behind a PMMI podium on a stage, next to a digital screen showing a pie chart of packaging market share.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Q&A

    Flexible Packaging Association’s new CEO talks flexibles growth, recyclability, tariffs

    Dan Felton detailed misunderstandings about flexibles that he hopes to dispel. He also discussed risks and opportunities that FPA members face as extended producer responsibility for packaging laws emerge.

    By • Dec. 10, 2024
  • The state capitol in Augusta, Maine
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    aimintang via Getty Images
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    Maine adopts final rules for packaging EPR law

    The finalized rules come after months of public comments and stakeholder meetings. Certain stakeholders voiced concerns over costs, and some waste groups questioned a disposal reimbursement provision.

    By , Megan Quinn • Dec. 6, 2024
  • Maura Healey, seated at a table, holds up a climate law, surrounded by a group of people clapping.
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    Retrieved from X.
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    Massachusetts governor signs law to form EPR commission for packaging

    A special commission, led by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, will report back to the legislature by early 2026. It marks incremental progress in a state known for legislative inaction on waste issues.

    By • Dec. 5, 2024
  • Large bundles of plastic bags, cans and milk containers await processing at a recycling center.
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    shaunl via Getty Images
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    California PRO names former CalRecycle director as state lead

    Rachel Wagoner, former director of CalRecycle, will become CAA’s executive director for the state, where she will help oversee the rollout of an EPR for packaging law.

    By • Dec. 5, 2024
  • A sign for the FDA is displayed outside the agency's headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    Trump’s FDA poised to make mark on food packaging regulation

    Crackdowns on food additives and changes to agency operations could be expected based on signals from the picks for HHS, observers suggested. In addition to chemical concerns, there are food labeling issues in play.

    By • Dec. 4, 2024
  • A room of people sit in chairs at a meeting, with a screen saying "High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution" in the background
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    The image by Ministry of Environment - Rwanda is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    Global plastic pollution treaty talks fail in final meeting of 2024

    Parties expressed disappointment and determination as they anticipate another international meeting in 2025. Negotiators considered potential tenets like capping plastic production and phasing out certain chemicals and products.

    By • Dec. 2, 2024
  • marty makary FDA
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    Noam Galai via Getty Images
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    Who is Marty Makary, Trump’s pick to head the FDA?

    If confirmed as commissioner, Makary would join the agency amidst a massive reorganization of its food division, which included bringing functions from the regulatory affairs and food safety offices into one program.

    By Chris Casey • Nov. 25, 2024
  • plastic pollution on a coastline
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    ArtMarie via Getty Images
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    Packaging converters, brands support EPR as global plastic pollution negotiations near finish line

    “These outcomes will have significant downstream impacts on plastic packaging producers and brands,” potentially driving new regulations and investments, said U.S. Plastics Pact CEO Jonathan Quinn.

    By • Nov. 25, 2024