Sustainability
-
SDI Productions via Getty Images
Deep Dive2024 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 -
Romeo Gacad via Getty Images
US Plastics Pact charts incremental progress, signals new opportunities
USPP’s newly released annual report points to reuse and compostability as future opportunities. CEO Jonathan Quinn describes an organizational “evolution” that resulted in changes to this year’s report.
By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Permission granted by Amazon
Amazon boosts recycled content, reduces inks for device packaging
In addition to the sustainability measures for Kindle, Echo and Fire TV products, the company added a tactile feature to aid consumers with visual impairments.
By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 18, 2024 -
Pascal Le Segretain / Staff via Getty Images
Paris Olympics cut single-use plastic bottles by 70% versus 2012
Event organizers said their installation and promotion of free drinking fountains paid off. Oceana celebrated and critiqued the efforts, saying future Games’ reuse systems should not feature single-use plastic at all.
By Maria Rachal • Dec. 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of Billerud
SBTi approves Billerud’s updated emissions reduction targets
The Swedish pulp and paper manufacturer expects most future emissions reductions to come from its North American operations.
By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 16, 2024 -
ABimagestudio via Getty Images
Bottle collection, PCR rate reach highs in down year for PET sales: report
Some 1.96 billion pounds of bottles were collected in the U.S. in 2023, according to NAPCOR. Meanwhile, the “premium for rPET has once again reached significant margins.”
By Maria Rachal • Dec. 13, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Aluminum can recycling in US at lowest point in decades: report
A 2030 target to achieve a 70% aluminum beverage can recycling rate is unachievable based on the current state of U.S. recycling systems and policies, the Can Manufacturers Institute and Aluminum Association reported.
By Maria Rachal • Updated Dec. 11, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of Eastman
Kansas county sues major plastic producers, alleging deceptive recycling messaging
A class-action lawsuit from Ford County, Kansas, alleges that the American Chemistry Council, Eastman, Chevron, ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell lied about plastic recycling efforts. ACC calls the allegations “meritless.”
By Megan Quinn • Dec. 3, 2024 -
The image by Ministry of Environment - Rwanda is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Global plastic pollution treaty talks fail in final meeting of 2024
Parties expressed disappointment and determination as they anticipate another international meeting in 2025. Negotiators considered potential tenets like capping plastic production and phasing out certain chemicals and products.
By Maria Rachal • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
EPA calls for developing national EPR framework
The agency released the finalized National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution on Thursday, as the international community seeks to finish negotiating a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution.
By Maria Rachal • Nov. 22, 2024 -
tarasov_vl via Getty Images
How packaging producers performed in EMF’s 2024 progress report
This week’s Ellen MacArthur Foundation report comes as the plastics world anticipates the conclusion of key global negotiations. Here’s how North American signatories are faring on sustainable design in their portfolios.
By Maria Rachal • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
Q&ADHL ramps up automation, sustainability efforts in changing packaging marketplace
Alicemarie Geoffrion, president of packaging at DHL Supply Chain, North America, discusses assisting customers with packaging customization and reusables. Plus, she gives an outlook for the holiday shipping season.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 20, 2024 -
ermingut via Getty Images
CPGs achieved a few 2025 plastics goals early, but they’re likely to miss others
Newly released data from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows where brands are falling short. Multiple groups say the plastics sustainability work will continue regardless of deadlines.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Megan Quinn/Packaging Dive
EMF global commitment signatories make progress on recycled content, lag on plastic reduction
While applauding progress in areas like postconsumer recycled content in packaging, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s 2024 global commitment progress report notes that reusable packaging “remains niche.”
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2024 -
Permission granted by O-I Glass
Sponsored by O-I GlassPackaging is a product preview, maximize it with glass
Consumers prefer their grocery items packaged in glass. Get your product from design to shelf with O-I Glass and their full-service offerings.
Nov. 18, 2024 -
Mikola249 via Getty Images
Cardboard recycling rate plunges following AF&PA’s calculation revamp
The American Forest & Paper Association overhauled how it calculates and reports recycling data. The cardboard recycling rate is now closer to results from alternative methodologies, including Bloomberg Intelligence’s.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 15, 2024 -
luchunyu via Getty Images
The dual case for reusable transport packaging
Adopting reusables across the supply chain presents not just sustainability benefits, but also cost savings, according to speakers at Pack Expo International.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Rafa Jodar via Getty Images
Ardagh permanently closing Seattle wine bottle facility, citing unfavorable ITC decision
The closure of the previously halted glass facility impacts 245 workers. Curtailments can positively affect GHG emissions metrics, the company noted in a new sustainability road map on Thursday.
By Maria Rachal • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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 -
Courtesy of Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears, Keurig Dr Pepper add to reusable cups trend at sports venues
The partners worked with Bold Reuse to introduce the cup pilot program in a portion of Soldier Field. They aim to learn more about scaling reuse models.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 13, 2024 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
Packaging innovations at Pack Expo 2024: Pactiv Evergreen cartons go dry, Packsize melts emissions
Plus, Accredo Packaging sweetens the pouch space with a 100% biobased bag, Greif shows off a recycled fiber food container with a water-based coating and Georgia-Pacific’s mailers get gusseted up.
By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Nov. 8, 2024 -
Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
Automation, labor shortage discussions permeate largest-ever Pack Expo
Sustainability also sat among the top themes at Pack Expo International in Chicago this week, including a focus on reusable and flexible packaging. PMMI says the event broke records for attendance and the number of exhibitors.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 7, 2024 -
DeSid via Getty Images
Packaging manufacturers share insights from Q3
Recent earnings calls revealed some notable changes at packaging manufacturers. Follow the latest from Pactiv Evergreen, Clearwater Paper, Sonoco, Amcor, International Paper, Smurfit Westrock and more.
By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 12, 2024
