How Pack Expo attendees see packaging materials changing

PMMI plans to expand its polls about expected shifts in the packaging materials that companies use, such as phasing out certain types of plastics. That data could assist OEMs and CPGs in a variety of ways, the association says.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 8, 2025

8.5M tons of packaging entered California landfills in 2024: CalRecycle study

The study, mandated by SB 54, sheds light on what percentage of single-use packaging and food ware materials might be diverted from landfills after the state’s extended producer responsibility program kicks in.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 6, 2025

Amazon, Walmart, CVS, Target rethink private-label flexible packaging

The retailers teamed up with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition to find alternatives for flexible films with low-barrier requirements. GreenBlue Executive Director Paul Nowak said more categories are on the horizon.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 3, 2025

Packaging innovations: CJ Biomaterials debuts PHA coatings, CNG’s film goes matte

Plus, Design Polymerics switches its pail color and Ball lands an aerosol can certification.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 3, 2025

APR launching its 1st total-package recyclability assessment tool

Citing demand from members and EPR-related needs, the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ tool will test packages against the most up-to-date versions of the longstanding Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 1, 2025

Top packaging trade shows in 2026

These conferences and events — ranging from smaller-scale niche gatherings to shows bringing together some 50,000 people — promise fresh opportunities for learning and making connections.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2025

California recyclers look for new PET solutions in wake of rPlanet closure

Some recyclers are calling for more direct help from California state lawmakers and agencies, while others say they're choosing between holding onto the material or selling for little profit in the Eastern U.S. or elsewhere.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 30, 2025

California EPR component tracking: What brands need to know

California's component-level requirements just revealed the true complexity of EPR compliance.

Sept. 29, 2025

Packaging innovations: FrogTape hops away from plastic, Digital Link gets chatty

Plus, Mondi expands high-contrast digital printing, Stora Enso’s SBS goes high end, and Fiberdom joins Kiefel in blowing the lid off dry molded fiber.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 26, 2025

Plastic, metal, or another material? Reusable packaging substrates pose tradeoffs

Materials in reusables present different cost and durability profiles and environmental footprints. The space is ripe for manufacturers to innovate, sources say.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 17, 2025

Corrugated comeback? Fiber’s yearslong slide could be easing

Analysts believe corrugated markets are at an inflection point, in part due to this year’s uncommonly large containerboard capacity reductions and a milder-than-feared tariff environment. But recovery is not expected to be dramatic.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 16, 2025

How far can EPR drive recycled content uptake?

Questions remain around how to effectively track recycled content in packaging and how to incentivize sourcing recycled material within North America. States such as Colorado are debating this as they enact EPR programs.

By Marissa Heffernan • Sept. 15, 2025

Packaging innovations: Sam’s Club loses labels, Crocs blacks out

Plus, PakTech introduces a can cap to prevent children from getting into beverages infused with hemp or cannabis.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 12, 2025

Can recycling advancements get black rigid plastics off packaging’s blacklist?

More MRFs are adding technologies to sort the material, but some brands and manufacturers are still switching away from the color. As black plastic reaches a tipping point, end market challenges create uncertainty about its future.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 9, 2025

Colgate-Palmolive signs on to AI tool for biomaterials development

Biomaterials company Erthos plans to commercialize its platform, Zya, in early 2026 to aid CPG companies with faster and less risky development of biopolymers for packaging.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 8, 2025

Adding new commodities brings recycling education challenges

The Foodservice Packaging Institute updated its toolkit to help create recycling education campaigns. Stakeholders underscore the need for collaboration and taking a “careful step-by-step approach” when adding new items.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 3, 2025

Paper and Packaging Board shutdown reflects corporate, market changes

President Mary Anne Hansan shared more about the phaseout of the industry marketing initiative, highlighting evolutions in executive leadership and the economic, policy and sustainability landscapes since 2014.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 22, 2025

Packaging innovations: Laffy Taffy’s new wrappers are no laughing matter

Plus, AeroFlexx floats a new packaging format for a Boogie bath product, and Graphic Packaging International works with Radienz Living on a laundry pod container.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 22, 2025

Blue Polymers takes over food-grade rPET pellet production in California

“Whereas we sell flake to folks that create pellets, now we can sell pellets to folks that create packaging,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services, a partner in the Blue Polymers venture.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 19, 2025

Driven by EPR, brands to offer film and flexibles funding to California recyclers

General Mills, Mars, PepsiCo and other brands are investing in film and flexible packaging recycling in the state as California implements stricter recycling regulations for the materials under SB 54.

By Megan Quinn • Aug. 18, 2025

Driving change: Sustainable innovation in flexible packaging can’t wait

Making the shift to recyclable materials for low-barrier applications.

Aug. 18, 2025

Exports pulled down 2024 paper recycling rate: AF&PA

Decreased fiber exports, especially to Asia, affected both paper and OCC recycling rates in the U.S., according to the American Forest & Paper Association. But domestic mills increased their fiber consumption.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 13, 2025

Novelis sees ‘strong demand’ for aluminum beverage packaging sheet

The company is readying additional capacity at a new Alabama facility as it expects continued sustainability-driven growth in aluminum beverage packaging.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 12, 2025

Packaging innovations: Coors Light pits out, Pure Sunfarms gives a peek at weed

Plus, SIG works on a monomaterial bag for boxed wine, Smurfit Westrock and Papa Johns partner on digitally printed boxes to fit entire meals, Aptar brings biobased resins to nasal spray pumps, and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 11, 2025

Manufacturers nix the USDA’s Paper and Packaging Board

Since 2014, the organization has been funded by paper manufacturers and importers to boost paper-based packaging markets. But a recent vote on continuing the marketing efforts failed to garner majority support.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 8, 2025