Uber Eats offers restaurants $10K grants to switch to more sustainable packaging

With guidance from WWF and Closed Loop Partners, Uber is teaming with Green Paper Packaging to offer U.S. merchants 35% off “greener” products. Consumers in some cities can select participating businesses.

By Julie Littman • June 8, 2023

Packaging and recycling stakeholders look ahead to next steps in UN plastic pollution agreement process

Measures with implications for packaging, such as capping new plastic production or extended producer responsibility, could be under consideration for a draft agreement expected toward the end of the year.

By Maria Rachal , Megan Quinn • June 8, 2023

Tetra Pak grows share of plant-based packaging, targets greater recyclability

The food packaging and processing company plans to invest more in carton recycling as it pursues simplified material structures in its products.

By Maria Rachal • June 7, 2023

Star power boosts ‘papertarian’ campaign for paper industry group

The Paper and Packaging Board’s president talks about how a celebrity provides a “lift” for the marketing organization’s day-to-day work, as well as potential industry impacts from lightweighting, EPR, a recession and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 6, 2023

Single-use plastic packaging may be checking out of the hotel toiletry market

State legislation, guest preferences for sustainable amenities and cost savings could signal a decline in sales for mini plastic toiletry containers. Refillable bottles are gaining ground as hotels look for ways to adapt to the trend.

By Danielle Beurteaux • June 5, 2023

Hershey ESG report notes ongoing challenges with recycled content in packaging

The chocolate company, like others in the space, says it’s “hindered by an insufficient reliable supply of food grade material.” It views packaging changes as an important frontier in lowering Scope 3 emissions.

By Maria Rachal • June 2, 2023

Packaging innovations: Mars launches paper wrappers, Absolut lightens up with paper bottle

Catch up on six innovative sustainable packaging launches and redesigns from Sprite, Earthfirst Films, Sabert Corp. and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 2, 2023

WestRock sustainability strategy prioritizes automation, swapping plastics with fiber in 2023

The corrugated packaging company’s overall emissions declined in FY 2022 following an uptick the previous year, according to its recently released sustainability report.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 31, 2023

Getting corny: Dow project aims to create bio-based plastics from crop waste

Partners envision a “new ecosystem where farmers are being incentivized” for corn material otherwise considered waste, according to a Dow leader.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 30, 2023

Amazon, Yum and RBI shareholders vote against proposals about plastic packaging use

Resolutions calling on each company to produce a non-binding report on plastic use and reduction plans were rejected by wide margins at recent meetings.

By Cole Rosengren • May 30, 2023

Packaging innovations: Compostable clamshell prevents taco tipping, Smirnoff Ice’s ‘drippy’ redesign

Catch up on six new packaging technologies and redesigns from Better Earth, ProAmpac, Pure Protein and others.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 26, 2023

Wood vs. plastic: Which pallets are more sustainable?

More pallet companies are marketing their products’ sustainability amid growing attention to ESG practices, fueling the ongoing debate of whether one substrate is superior.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 24, 2023

FTC’s Green Guides review brings packaging recyclability debates to the fore

Chemical recycling, access to recycling as a key metric and the potential for national rulemaking were some of the areas that divided expert panelists at a Federal Trade Commission workshop Tuesday.

By Maria Rachal • May 24, 2023

Packaging innovations: Budweiser’s music box, Quilted Northern puts paper on paper and more

Catch up on six new packaging technologies and redesigns involving Pepsi, Georgia-Pacific, Bertolli, Ardagh, Ball, Tetra Pak and others.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 19, 2023

More than a dozen state AGs weigh in on recyclable, compostable claims for Green Guides review

The Federal Trade Commission will convene a workshop in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday as part of its ongoing review of the Guides for Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.

By Maria Rachal • May 19, 2023

Flexible and compostable product groups discuss circularity goals for hard-to-recycle packaging

The executive directors of the Flexible Packaging Association and Biodegradable Products Institute discussed what their stakeholders view as important tenets of EPR policies.

By Maria Rachal • May 18, 2023

The future of wine packaging: Lighter bottles and less glass

Champagne Telmont recently announced the creation of what it says is the lightest champagne bottle in the world. Meanwhile, canned and boxed wines are gaining traction among high-end consumers.

By Hollie Stephens • May 17, 2023

Reports recommend packaging changes ahead of next global plastics treaty negotiations

The UN Environment Programme and WWF dug into areas for intervention across the product life cycle, like designing for circularity, substituting other materials for plastics, EPR for packaging, reuse and deposit return systems.

By Maria Rachal • May 17, 2023

International Paper’s ESG report reveals long-term progress, short-term challenges on emissions, water

The company has reduced reliance on coal and lowered its greenhouse gas emissions over the past decade, but 2022 also brought “significant challenges” for IP’s operational decarbonization across its facilities.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 15, 2023

DeliverZero, Dispatch Goods, Returnity join alliance promoting innovation in global plastics treaty

A group of more than 60 organizations aims to boost engagement between policymakers and “the innovation ecosystem” ahead of the next United Nations negotiation session.

By Maria Rachal • May 15, 2023

Packaging innovations: Stora Enso and Tubex put a twist on tube caps, ClearBags’ pouches shape up

Catch up on some of the latest news on packaging redesigns and material changes for beauty product refills, compostable containers and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 12, 2023

Why Atlantic Packaging doesn’t shy away from EPR conversations

Many businesses don’t want more regulation, but Atlantic has pushed for action. The family-owned company’s sustainability director explains how customer conversations and policy engagement have evolved.

By Maria Rachal • May 11, 2023

Amazon, Yum Brands, Kroger face upcoming shareholder votes on circular packaging

Yum Brands — the fast-food corporation behind KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell — is set to consider a proposal Thursday on single-use packaging, with meetings at Amazon and Restaurant Brands International to follow next week.

By Maria Rachal • May 10, 2023

Packaging standards may be key to scaling refill-at-home models

Consumers and CPG companies are eager to expand this method of reuse, but slower innovation in packaging formats could be a near-term challenge. Loop, Upstream and others weigh in on what it will take.

By Lela Nargi • May 8, 2023

Sonoco reports food packaging sales helped balance weak quarter for aerosols

“We are cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the year,” CFO Rob Dillard said on a Tuesday earnings call, as the company raised aspects of its full-year guidance.

By Maria Rachal • May 2, 2023