Bottle bill report aims to debunk claims that program costs hurt beverage sales

The report, led by the Container Recycling Institute and Reloop, says there’s no evidence container deposit system costs impact sales. Cost concerns were among the reasons Vermont’s governor vetoed a recent bottle bill update.

By Megan Quinn • July 20, 2023

Michigan proposal seeks to reclaim more containers under 10-cent bottle bill

Lawmakers are again seeking an update after years of failed proposals. The latest version would add multiple common categories of beverage containers not currently included in the law.

By Megan Quinn • July 13, 2023

Cannabis packaging targeted by FTC, FDA over child safety concerns

Multiple companies with products said to resemble popular snacks and candy were sent cease-and-desist letters. More states are considering their own regulations addressing packaging design for cannabis products.

By Maria Rachal • July 6, 2023

Demand for recycled plastic in packaging is growing. So are concerns about potential health risks.

Recent studies have raised questions about health effects from plastic, including recycled material, as companies and regulators increasingly look at ways to advance the use of recycled resin in food-grade packaging.

By April Reese • June 26, 2023

Emissions data request could be precursor to carbon border tax on steel, aluminum

While tariffs tend to drive up costs for metal-related businesses such as can producers, carbon tax research suggests recycled-content products would fare better in this scenario.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 23, 2023

Rhode Island legislature supports restricting foam containers, mini alcohol bottles

The House and Senate passed bills as the legislative session wrapped up, with potential implications for certain plastic containers.

By Maria Rachal • June 20, 2023

Graphic Packaging, government officials hit with lawsuit over toxic Michigan mill emissions

The class-action lawsuit alleges that decades of systemic racism harmed about 8,000 residents in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The company has been working with state officials to mitigate its hydrogen sulfide emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 13, 2023

Connecticut bill requiring recycled content in plastic bottles awaits governor’s signature

The legislation applies to containers in the state’s bottle bill program. It would also direct the state’s environmental agency to eventually recommend potential requirements for other packaging categories.

By Maria Rachal • June 13, 2023

Momentum may be slowing for new packaging EPR laws in 2023, but states still pursue study bills

Four states enacted extended producer responsibility for packaging laws in the past two years, though 2023 may not see similar activity. Follow the latest outcomes from Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland and New York.

By Cole Rosengren • June 12, 2023

More frequent Green Guides updates urged by Senate Democrats

Sens. Tom Carper, Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse, who have been vocal on waste issues, also called on the Federal Trade Commission to reconsider definitions for recycled content and recyclability.

By Maria Rachal • June 12, 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

Massachusetts to consider numerous packaging-related bills, with a focus on plastic reduction

A recent National Caucus of Environmental Legislators forum in Boston sought to garner support for a bill that would limit the sale of plastic carryout bags, food service ware, water bottles, miniature alcohol bottles and more.

By Cole Rosengren • June 7, 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

California lawmakers advance ‘sell-by’ labeling, cannabis packaging, bottle bill expansion legislation

Conversely, one bill that could have banned the sale of certain plastics deemed toxic or non-recyclable did not move forward after facing opposition from numerous packaging stakeholders.

By Maria Rachal • June 5, 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

Illinois legislature passes limited foam food ware ban while a broader bill stalls

The bill, if signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, would prohibit state agencies and vendors from using polystyrene foam food ware. A related bill that would have included restaurants throughout the state did not advance.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 23, 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

PFAS prevention legislation model aims to get Northeast lawmakers on the same page

The Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association’s draft legislation offers a “menu of options” for legislators to consider, including a ban on products and packaging with intentionally added PFAS.

By Megan Quinn • May 18, 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

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

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

Oregon Gov. Kotek signs foam ban, allows customers’ reusable containers at restaurants

The laws will take effect in 2024 and 2025. Some packaging groups say the legislation imposes “costly requirements” on businesses.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 9, 2023

Colorado selects brands-led producer responsibility organization for EPR for packaging law

The Circular Action Alliance, which includes Coca-Cola, Unilever and other major consumer goods companies, has been chosen as the group to implement key elements of the state’s program.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2023

EPR missing from New York state budget, but advocates aim to push issue forward with other bills

This marks the second year in a row that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s efforts to include producer responsibility for packaging in the budget were not successful.

By Megan Quinn • May 2, 2023