Sustainability

  • A lineup of five aluminum water bottles from the Deer Park, Poland Spring, Pure Life, Arrowhead and Ice Mountain brands.
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    Courtesy of BlueTriton Brands
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    BlueTriton launches premium water bottles as aluminum packaging’s role grows in market

    Aluminum bottle offerings could tap a wider range of consumer values, researchers and consultants say. The addition expands the portfolio for Pure Life, Deer Park, Poland Spring, Arrowhead and Ice Mountain waters.

    By • May 9, 2024
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    sematadesign via Getty Images
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    EPR laws’ labeling implications create more questions for CPGs

    Leaders from the Consumer Brands Association and The Recycling Partnership recently discussed how packaging EPR laws are further complicating how brands can mark packaging, including for recycling.

    By • May 8, 2024
  • A variety of colored plastic tubes for health and beauty products, some with recyclability messaging.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Plastic tube recyclability has ramped up rapidly, but not without some tumult

    Research suggests more than 75% of HDPE squeeze tubes in the U.S. are compatible with valuable recycling streams. “I don’t want to underemphasize how big of a change in packaging format this is,” said APR’s technical director.

    By • May 7, 2024
  • Four different colored tubes of Colgate toothpaste with the message "Recycle Me!" printed on the tubes.
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    Courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive
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    Colgate says it might miss 2025 packaging recyclability target

    Flexible bags and pouches are the key sticking points. In a sustainability report, Colgate-Palmolive also shared updates on transitioning its entire toothpaste portfolio to recyclable tubes, which became the subject of a lawsuit last year.

    By • May 3, 2024
  • Three boxes of different wines from Really Good Boxed Wine
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    Retrieved from Facebook on April 29, 2024
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    Alternative Packaging Alliance aims to reshape the narrative around wine formats

    The group, launched by seven brands that offer high-end products in boxes and alternative formats, aims to educate consumers and retailers about the carbon footprint of glass bottles.

    By Hollie Stephens • April 29, 2024
  • A close up of Unilever's logo.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    Unilever reality-checked its 2025 plastic packaging targets. Will more companies do the same?

    Brands and packaging makers have more knowledge and resources today than when they coalesced around common sustainability targets. Emerging regulations will also reshape goal-setting, industry observers say.

    By • April 25, 2024
  • Hands hold an empty wine bottle
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    Permission granted by O-I Glass
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    O-I to supply returnable wine bottles

    O-I Packaging Solutions is partnering with Oregon-based startup Revino to circulate refillable glass bottles designed for up to 50 uses.

    By • April 23, 2024
  • Boxes of General Mills cereal are displayed on a grocery store shelf.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    General Mills’ packaging recyclability inches up, food-grade PCR use poses a challenge

    The company reported incremental progress on making all of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030. It also said that packaging constitutes 8% of its value chain’s GHG emissions.

    By • April 18, 2024
  • Plastic bottles baled for recycling
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    OperationShooting via Getty Images
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    REMADE conference explores the future of the circular economy

    The conference, featuring keynote speaker Ellen MacArthur, aimed to translate scientific research into tangible circular economy solutions for the researchers, government officials and private companies in attendance.

    By Megan Quinn • April 18, 2024
  • An array of John Paul Mitchell hair care products in green packaging.
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    Courtesy of John Paul Mitchell Systems
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    Packaging innovations: John Paul Mitchell’s revamped hair care line, Essentia’s paper mattress wrap

    Plus, Labelmaster, Firstleaf and ForeFront Supply Chain Solutions introduce a safer shipping product, lighter bottles and food packaging with PCR, respectively.

    By • April 17, 2024
  • Clemson University
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    Permission granted by Clemson University
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    Q&A

    Design and sustainability opportunities draw in next generation of packaging students

    Greg Batt, who serves as director of the packaging science program at Clemson University, also highlighted the growing role of data.

    By • April 15, 2024
  • A man browses shelves of beverages at a supermarket
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    SolStock via Getty Images
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    What brands and retailers are saying about sustainable packaging in 2024

    General Mills, Ikea, Walgreens, Starbucks, Hain Celestial and Del Monte are some of the retailers and brands that have shared updates on packaging changes, new targets and annual progress in sustainability reports during 2024.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated April 22, 2024
  • Two hands holding two cups of Joyba bubble tea.
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    Retrieved from Del Monte Foods on April 11, 2024
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    Del Monte details progress on lightweighting, PCR in 2023 ESG report

    The CPG company began adding postconsumer recycled material to some containers, but it did not report its progress toward some other key packaging sustainability targets.

    By • Updated April 11, 2024
  • Two reusable coffee cups at a coffee shop
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    Thurtell via Getty Images
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    EPA event spotlights reusable food ware and Perpetual’s city projects

    A Wednesday event noted millions more available in pollution prevention grants, some of which could support reuse. Perpetual detailed progress toward establishing food ware reuse systems in four U.S. cities.

    By • April 11, 2024
  • Two paper cups with Delta Air Lines' branded messaging.
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    Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
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    Aviation industry group recommends how plastic reduction can take off

    Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are among the carriers testing ways to reduce single-use plastic with strategies including substrate switches and reusable cups.

    By • April 10, 2024
  • A 24-pack of beverage cans sitting in a cardboard base with a fiber wrapper around them.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    5 packaging innovation trends to watch in 2024: SPC

    AI, digital labeling and “paperization” top the movements highlighted in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s inaugural Packaging Innovation Trends Report.

    By • April 9, 2024
  • Rows of industrial hemp growing in a farm field.
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    AndrisTkachenko via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Is hemp the next revolution for sustainable packaging? Startup element6 Dynamics thinks so.

    CEO Kimberly Kovacs details the company’s push to use industrial hemp for making paper and packaging, which she says is a more sustainable option than tree pulp.

    By • April 8, 2024
  • Speakers sit on a stage with a conference presentation in the background.
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    Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive
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    Domestic PCR-virgin resin battle faces global headwinds but finds local remedies

    PCR markets are still facing competition with virgin resin and oversupply headwinds, but future recycled content policy effects and changes to contracts could help, said speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference.

    By Megan Quinn • April 5, 2024
  • A box of Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime herbal tea bags
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    Courtesy of Celestial Seasonings
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    Free the tea: Celestial Seasonings is latest brand to slash plastic overwrap

    Plastic overwrap was a legacy process for Celestial Seasonings, which recently redesigned its boxes. The U.S. Plastics Pact’s executive director said more brands should ask whether outer plastic wrap is needed.

    By • April 5, 2024
  • A Costco rotisserie chicken in a flexible plastic bag with red and black branded messaging.
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    Permission granted by Cesar Canizales
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    Costco tests a switch from rigid to flexible packaging for its rotisserie chickens

    Costco anticipates the substrate switch will reduce the plastic it uses for the chicken products by 75%, aligning with packaging guidelines it adopted last year. Its five-year action plan for plastics reduction is coming soon.

    By • Updated April 3, 2024
  • The top of a Pact Collective collection bin for recycling empty skincare and makeup containers
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    Permission granted by Pact Collective
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    Sephora, Ulta recycling partner Pact reports lower diversion volumes, higher engagement in 2023

    Pact Collective attributed much of the volume decline to a year-over-year drop in the amount of obsolete inventory and unsellable goods collected. The nonprofit said this bulk material has huge potential for upcycling in 2024.

    By Hayley Lind • April 1, 2024
  • A pile of plastic bottles.
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    ABimagestudio via Getty Images
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    Best practices for using rPET in beverage containers: ISBT

    “Everybody wants to utilize more recycled material,” but differences emerge based on output source and application, said Lee Malvitz, presenting for the International Society of Beverage Technologists during Pack Expo East.

    By • Updated April 3, 2024
  • A plastic bag made with postconsumer recycled bag holding romaine hearts, featuring the Andy Boy logo.
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    Permission granted by Emerald Packaging
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    Emerald bullish on PCR as produce packaging company marks transition

    Co-owner Jim Kelly is stepping down from his EVP role as he reflects on decades of innovation in the produce market. The family business looks to forge ahead on recycled content implementation in flexible packaging.

    By • March 26, 2024
  • Hain Celestial
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    Permission granted by Hain Celestial
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    Material reduction, enhanced recyclability anchor Hain Celestial’s new packaging targets

    The CPG company behind Celestial Seasonings tea and Terra chips set targets to reduce virgin packaging materials and packaging waste while increasing recyclability.

    By • March 25, 2024
  • A boiler at a Georgia-Pacific containerboard manufacturing facility.
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    Permission granted by Georgia-Pacific
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    4 packaging facilities receive EPA recognition for energy efficiency

    Energy Star certifications recognize the nation’s most energy-efficient manufacturing facilities, with only the top 25% most energy-efficient plants in their sector achieving this status.

    By • March 21, 2024