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

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

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 Maria Rachal • Nov. 18, 2024

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 Maria Rachal • Nov. 13, 2024

Emerging brands’ on-pack messaging reshapes retail

Small brands "had a breakout year" for new launches, and the messaging on their packaging is forcing the marketplace to evolve, according to speakers from Smurfit Westrock at Pack Expo International last week.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 11, 2024

Cans increased share again as overall beer shipments declined in 2023

The Beer Institute shed light on how the packaging mix for the sector is evolving. Executives at packaging companies including Ball, Crown and O-I Glass have weighed in on how beer trends are impacting their businesses.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 11, 2024

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

PepsiCo gets New York plastic pollution lawsuit dismissed

The development comes on the heels of Los Angeles County filing its own complaint against PepsiCo and Coca-Cola focused on public nuisance and alleged violations of unfair competition and false advertising law.

By Maria Rachal • Updated 18 hours ago

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

‘Everybody benefits’: Why the beauty industry needs to get serious about accessible packaging

Rare Beauty and Target have taken steps to develop guidance around universally accessible design, but the industry isn’t prioritizing it yet.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 15, 2024

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 Maria Rachal • Updated Oct. 11, 2024

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 Maria Rachal • Oct. 9, 2024

Consumers are confused by packaging sustainability claims

Between greenwashing, confusing terminology and a lack of information, a lot gets lost in translation, according to speakers from the National Retail Federation, NielsenIQ and others at recent industry events.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 7, 2024

How2Recycle Plus ready to take dynamic labels mainstream

The new offering features a QR code so consumers can access localized recycling information. It will come at a higher price to brands than the more traditional How2Recycle Pro label. Danone will be the first to adopt it.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 4, 2024

Hush-hush: Is greenwashing pushback prompting pivot to ‘greenhushing’?

Companies must focus on data to back their sustainability claims instead of resorting to silence, or exaggerations, said sources from groups such as the U.S. Plastics Pact, Glass Packaging Institute and McCormick & Co.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 3, 2024

The How2Recycle label is getting a new look

The campaign to transform the instructional label program involves a refreshed design, enhanced data sources and partners handling different aspects of the system, and planning for greater investment in consumer education.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 1, 2024

Packaging trade shows to watch in 2025

Mark your calendar: These U.S. conferences and events will cover timely trends in sustainable packaging design, recycling technologies, regional market trends, substrate evolutions, automation and more.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024

Microplastics greenwashing suit against BlueTriton dismissed

Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled that the class-action complaint involving the company’s Ice Mountain bottled water was preempted by federal law. The plaintiffs recently amended their complaint.

By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 28, 2024

Coca-Cola ‘on track’ for packaging recyclability goal, ‘behind plan’ on recycled content target

In an environmental update, the beverage giant reported that progress on reusable packaging formats and recyclability was stagnant in 2023 while its rate of recycled PET use ticked up.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 22, 2024

Can canned food outlast competition from flexible plastic alternatives?

With consumers feeling squeezed by inflation, food companies like Bush’s Beans and suppliers such as Sonoco see cans as a reliable space to grow in while also meeting sustainability goals.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 15, 2024

Snickers owner Mars to buy Kellanova for $35.9B

The deal for the Cheez-It and Pringles maker is the biggest in the food space since the Kraft-Heinz merger in 2015. It gives the gum and candy giant a dominant presence in savory snacks, where it currently has little exposure.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 14, 2024

Can-makers share perspective on energy drink, beer market trends

Coca-Cola and Anheuser-Busch InBev are among the beverage brand owners that reported Q2 results recently. CEOs at Ball, Crown and Ardagh spoke on beverage markets during earnings calls.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 2, 2024

Aesthetics vs. environment: How Estée Lauder balances luxury and sustainability

Efforts include sourcing postconsumer resin and leveraging chemical recycling. Making sustainability leaps more apparent to consumers is also a concern at the cosmetics and skincare giant.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 29, 2024

Mars doubts it can achieve 2025 sustainable packaging targets

Almost half of Mars’ packaging portfolio is being redesigned or eliminated to align with current or future recycling infrastructure. But infrastructure advancement is taking longer than expected, per its latest sustainability report.

By Maria Rachal • July 29, 2024

Califia Farms acquires Uproot to reduce packaging via food service dispensers

Uproot has more than 150 dispensers across the U.S. at college campuses and other dining locations. The announcement follows the plant-based beverage brand’s rollout of 100% rPET bottles in the U.S. and Canada.

By Elizabeth Flood • July 25, 2024