Lend an ear: Corn-based material introduced for biodegradable packaging

Corn Next believes it has cracked the corn code for more sustainable packaging and aims to scale up. Later this year, it will move to Illinois, closer to where its corn supplier is based.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 28, 2025

Companies lean into paper packaging innovations amid scrutiny of plastic

Growing regulatory and public pressure on single-use plastic is creating market opportunities for fiber products. Pulpex, Paboco, DS Smith and others are helping clients innovate bottles, boxes and more.

By April Reese • Updated Jan. 28, 2025

Reuse operators to double down on school lunches, sports venues in 2025

Some organizations focus exclusively on closed settings that offer big contracts — low-hanging fruit opportunities they think will scale reuse faster. But that’s not discouraging others from working in complex open-loop environments.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 23, 2025

This is sustainable - Packaging considerations

Packaging considerations for transitioning from plastic to paper and more!

By Reid Lederer • Jan. 21, 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

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

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

US Plastics Pact charts incremental progress, signals new opportunities

USPP’s newly released annual report points to reuse and compostability as future opportunities. CEO Jonathan Quinn describes an organizational “evolution” that resulted in changes to this year’s report.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 20, 2024

Amazon boosts recycled content, reduces inks for device packaging

In addition to the sustainability measures for Kindle, Echo and Fire TV products, the company added a tactile feature to aid consumers with visual impairments.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 18, 2024

Paris Olympics cut single-use plastic bottles by 70% versus 2012

Event organizers said their installation and promotion of free drinking fountains paid off. Oceana celebrated and critiqued the efforts, saying future Games’ reuse systems should not feature single-use plastic at all.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 17, 2024

SBTi approves Billerud’s updated emissions reduction targets

The Swedish pulp and paper manufacturer expects most future emissions reductions to come from its North American operations.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 16, 2024

Bottle collection, PCR rate reach highs in down year for PET sales: report

Some 1.96 billion pounds of bottles were collected in the U.S. in 2023, according to NAPCOR. Meanwhile, the “premium for rPET has once again reached significant margins.”

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 13, 2024

Aluminum can recycling in US at lowest point in decades: report

A 2030 target to achieve a 70% aluminum beverage can recycling rate is unachievable based on the current state of U.S. recycling systems and policies, the Can Manufacturers Institute and Aluminum Association reported.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Dec. 11, 2024

Coca-Cola lowers ambition with new 2035 packaging sustainability targets

The new goals cover packaging design and collection. The move follows an August statement that it was “behind plan” to meet certain 2030 goals.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 3, 2024

Kansas county sues major plastic producers, alleging deceptive recycling messaging

A class-action lawsuit from Ford County, Kansas, alleges that the American Chemistry Council, Eastman, Chevron, ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell lied about plastic recycling efforts. ACC calls the allegations “meritless.”

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 3, 2024

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 Maria Rachal • Dec. 2, 2024

EPA calls for developing national EPR framework

The agency released the finalized National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution on Thursday, as the international community seeks to finish negotiating a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 22, 2024

How packaging producers performed in EMF’s 2024 progress report

This week’s Ellen MacArthur Foundation report comes as the plastics world anticipates the conclusion of key global negotiations. Here’s how North American signatories are faring on sustainable design in their portfolios.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 21, 2024

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 Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 20, 2024

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 Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 19, 2024

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 Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2024

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

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

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 Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 14, 2024