Sustainability


  • Multiple people stand inside a convention booth that has bright yellow walls with DHL branding.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Q&A

    DHL ramps up automation, sustainability efforts in changing packaging marketplace

    Alicemarie Geoffrion, president of packaging at DHL Supply Chain, North America, discusses assisting customers with packaging customization and reusables. Plus, she gives an outlook for the holiday shipping season.

    By Nov. 20, 2024
  • Bales of crushed plastic bottles, most of them green in hue.
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    ermingut via Getty Images
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    CPGs achieved a few 2025 plastics goals early, but they’re likely to miss others

    Newly released data from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows where brands are falling short. Multiple groups say the plastics sustainability work will continue regardless of deadlines.

    By Nov. 19, 2024
  • Plastic water bottle caps on display at WasteExpo
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    Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive
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    EMF global commitment signatories make progress on recycled content, lag on plastic reduction

    While applauding progress in areas like postconsumer recycled content in packaging, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s 2024 global commitment progress report notes that reusable packaging “remains niche.”

    By Nov. 18, 2024
  • Breakfast table with bowls of fruit and granola, bagels, jam jars, and a glass bottle of juice on colorful plates and bowls
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    Permission granted by O-I Glass
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    Sponsored by O-I Glass

    Packaging is a product preview, maximize it with glass

    Consumers prefer their grocery items packaged in glass. Get your product from design to shelf with O-I Glass and their full-service offerings.

    Nov. 18, 2024
  • Close up view of stacked corrugated cardboard.
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    Mikola249 via Getty Images
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    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 Nov. 15, 2024
  • Stacks of reusable plastic transport totes sit on plastic pallets in a warehouse.
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    luchunyu via Getty Images
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    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
  • Top view of multiple wine bottles
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    Rafa Jodar via Getty Images
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    Ardagh permanently closing Seattle wine bottle facility, citing unfavorable ITC decision

    The closure of the previously halted glass facility impacts 245 workers. Curtailments can positively affect GHG emissions metrics, the company noted in a new sustainability road map on Thursday.

    By Nov. 14, 2024
  • Closeup of a plastic cup containing muffin liners bears a How2Recycle instructional label, next to a paper box containing tea bags that also bears a How2Recycle instructional label
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    3 insights for navigating the ‘messy middle’ of labeling policy

    During an Ameripen event, representatives of SmartLabel, How2Recycle and BPI Certification discussed where legislation could offer clarity as brands consider on-pack labeling amid evolving state and federal guidance.

    By Nov. 13, 2024
  • Two cups with messaging indicating they are reusable next to the Chicago Bears logo.
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    Courtesy of Chicago Bears
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    Chicago Bears, Keurig Dr Pepper add to reusable cups trend at sports venues

    The partners worked with Bold Reuse to introduce the cup pilot program in a portion of Soldier Field. They aim to learn more about scaling reuse models.

    By Nov. 13, 2024
  • Hundreds of people in a convention center
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Stories from Pack Expo International 2024

    At the largest Pack Expo event ever held, Packaging Dive connected with manufacturers, brands and trade groups for insight on the latest industry trends.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 14, 2024
  • Three different sizes of cartons that bear branding for Pactiv Evergreen's SmartPour.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    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 , Nov. 8, 2024
  • An aerial view of exhibitors set up in a large convention hall.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    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 Nov. 7, 2024
  • Green glass bottles.
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    DeSid via Getty Images
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    Packaging manufacturers share insights from Q3

    Recent earnings calls revealed some notable changes at packaging manufacturers. Follow the latest from Pactiv Evergreen, Clearwater Paper, Sonoco, Amcor, International Paper, Smurfit Westrock and more.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 12, 2024
  • A paper-based cup and a wooden stir stick with Southwest Airlines branding sit on an airline tray table next to a window.
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    Courtesy of Southwest Airlines
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    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 Oct. 29, 2024
  • Former President Donald Trump, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris, right, stand behind podiums at a debate.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Election 2024: The outlook for packaging and manufacturing policy

    Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump differ on environmental regulations, manufacturing, energy and ESG policies. What could a Trump or Harris presidency mean for the packaging industry?

    By , , Oct. 23, 2024
  • Three compostable Sabert trays with chopped vegetables on a table
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    Courtesy of Sabert Corp.
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    Q&A

    5 questions for Sabert’s new chief sustainability officer

    Richa Desai discusses what it’s like to lead sustainability strategy at a private food packaging company in a changing landscape.

    By Oct. 22, 2024
  • Two black reusable containers in a warehouse holding celery
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    Retrieved from PR Newswire.
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    Sprouts expands reusable packaging partnership with IFCO

    The specialty grocer has piloted reusable containers for fresh produce items packed in high-humidity environments as a way to replace single-use corrugated and wax-corrugated boxes.

    By Peyton Bigora • Oct. 21, 2024
  • An arm clutches a Sway polybag containing a garment. Writing printed on the bag reads "This bag is made with seaweed."
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    Permission granted by Sway
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    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 Updated Oct. 25, 2024
  • Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-Designate, speaks on stage.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    CEOs from Ball, Ikea, Nestlé, H&M, others call for climate action ahead of COP29

    A letter, signed by senior executives from over 100 corporations, urges governments and businesses to collaborate to address challenges related to climate risk mitigation.

    By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 16, 2024
  • People holding coffee cups with natural-colored, fiber-based lids.
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    Courtesy of PulPac
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    Q&A

    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 Oct. 15, 2024
  • A graphic depicting, from left to right, the current How2Recycle icons and the proposed redesigned How2Recycle icons
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    Permission granted by GreenBlue
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    How2Recycle revamp

    How2Recycle doesn’t want to abandon the chasing arrows

    Consumer comprehension data played a central role in how How2Recycle redesigned its instructional label, leaders of the process explained. But potential restrictions in California pose a challenge.

    By Updated Oct. 14, 2024
  • Front and side view of Silk Kids oatmilk blend
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    Permission granted by Danone
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    How2Recycle revamp

    Danone chooses cartons for initial How2Recycle Plus rollout

    The company also detailed other packaging formats where it’s considering adding the labels, which include a Recycle Check QR code. It’s unclear how much consumers engaged with those QR codes during other brands’ pilots.

    By Updated Oct. 11, 2024
  • Clorox disinfecting wipes are seen displayed for sale at a Walmart Supercenter on September 18, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Clorox says 2023 cyberattack hurt progress on 2030 plastic, waste reduction goals

    The company is reassessing some sustainability goals, according to its latest annual report. Data shows the company stagnated on lowering virgin material and upping PCR in packaging.

    By Oct. 9, 2024
  • Taco Bell and TerraCycle are expanding a sauce packet recycling program to accept all brands of condiment packets.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Yum! Brands’ 2025 virgin plastic reduction target remains in question

    The corporation described packaging sustainability efforts across its fast-food brands in an ESG report, including updating Pizza Hut box graphics to promote recycling and expanding mail-in recycling for Taco Bell sauce packets.

    By Oct. 8, 2024
  • A production line fills compostable coffee pods with coffee grounds
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    Courtesy of NatureWorks
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    Deep Dive

    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