Regulation: Page 3

  • rolls of cardboard
    Image attribution tooltip
    lucop via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Solnuha via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    EPR for packaging laws: Dates to know

    Maryland and Washington became the sixth and seventh states with packaging EPR laws. In California, CalRecycle is accepting comments on proposed changes to SB 54 regulations.

    By • Updated May 20, 2025
  • A person's hand points at a bale of plastic packaging collected for recycling
    Image attribution tooltip
    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Carl Court via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    CHAIWATPHOTOS via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    HowardOates via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    SDI Productions via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Natalie Behring via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of European Union
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    aimintang via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from X.
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    shaunl via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Ministry of Environment - Rwanda is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Noam Galai via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    ArtMarie via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Two senators speak behind a dais
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging trade groups urge US House to pass recycling infrastructure, data bills

    Industry groups and multiple individual packaging companies and CPGs are giving a final push to the bills as one of the lead co-sponsors, Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, prepares to retire. Both bills have already passed the Senate.

    By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 20, 2024
  • A hand reaches for a plastic water bottle from a shelf
    Image attribution tooltip
    Thai Liang Lim via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 • Nov. 18, 2024
  • Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin seated at a Delaware County, Pennsylvania, campaign stop in front of a backdrop that says "America's Future Tour."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Packaging materials, waste groups react to Trump tapping Zeldin to lead EPA

    While in Congress, former Rep. Lee Zeldin voted in support of some PFAS regulations but largely voted against other environmental bills. ACC, AF&PA, former EPA staff and other groups weighed in on this week’s pick.

    By Megan Quinn , • Nov. 15, 2024
  • Stacks of reusable plastic transport totes sit on plastic pallets in a warehouse.
    Image attribution tooltip
    luchunyu via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The dual case for reusable transport packaging

    Adopting reusables across the supply chain presents not just sustainability benefits, but also cost savings, according to speakers at Pack Expo International.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024