Sustainability: Page 7
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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 Katie Pyzyk • March 21, 2024 -
Packaging innovations: DS Smith’s fiber fish carrier, Monterey Mushrooms’ color change
Plus, Chlorophyll Water ramps up its recycled content; Pregis flexes its fiber muscle; and Eco-Products combats composting contamination.
By Katie Pyzyk • March 15, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Compostable packaging take-back programs aim to ease consumer burden, boost recovery
As compostable packaging rollouts outpace access to collection, more companies are looking to make collection less confusing via mail-in or pick-up programs.
By Katie Pyzyk • March 13, 2024 -
As You Sow stays the course with plastic reduction resolutions despite ESG headwinds
“I think this is a really difficult year for shareholder resolutions,” said Kelly McBee, circular economy manager at As You Sow. To date, its 2024 consumer packaging efforts target Altria, Amazon and others.
By Maria Rachal • March 13, 2024 -
Refills and plastic alternatives offer a fresh spin on laundry detergent packaging
While traditional detergent bottles are widely recyclable, consumer demand for plastic reduction has led to a range of refillable solutions, sheets and, as of this past week, “fiber tiles.”
By Hayley Lind • March 12, 2024 -
Molded fiber packaging growth fueled by expanding demand, updated technology
Companies such as Huhtamaki, PulPac and Tanbark are seeing notable growth in opportunities for molded fiber to gain scale as a plastic alternative.
By Hollie Stephens • March 6, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Does this packaging contain recycled plastic? Inside the mass balance debate
An accounting system long used in other industries is gaining prominence in the packaging sector, due in part to the rise of chemical recycling. Companies, trade groups and regulators are weighing the complexities and controversies.
By Leslie Nemo • March 5, 2024 -
U.S. Plastics Pact touts progress toward 2025 targets and initiative’s evolution
As “activators” such as brands, retailers and manufacturers progress in achieving plastics circularity goals by the end of 2025, USPP is set to release a new road map to guide their future advancement.
By Katie Pyzyk • March 1, 2024 -
Califia Farms rolls out 100% rPET bottles in North America
The plant-based beverages brand is still seeking recycled content solutions for caps and sleeve labels. The company estimates packaging lightweighting from 2019 to 2023 avoided 4 million pounds of plastic production.
By Maria Rachal • Feb. 29, 2024 -
Starbucks adds 3 new 2030 sustainability goals for packaging
The coffee chain named targets covering recycled content and other metrics for customer-facing packaging in its recent ESG report. But it lost ground on emissions reduction and waste diversion.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 27, 2024 -
It’s black and white: Walgreens details cap color change among sustainability efforts
The pharmacy chain's own-brand product packaging changes are among its efforts to meet 2030 targets. Parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance also touted packaging sustainability work in its 2023 ESG report.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 21, 2024 -
Don’t forget about packaging in national food waste reduction strategy, trade groups say
Ameripen and the Flexible Packaging Association sent comments to the EPA, FDA and USDA on evaluating packaging materials, the potential growth of biobased and compostable packaging and more.
By Maria Rachal • Feb. 21, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Biodiversity emerges as an ESG priority in packaging, but measurement could be a challenge
As international standards evolve, fiber-based packaging companies are in the spotlight. Smurfit Kappa, WestRock, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Canopy Planet weigh in on what the increased focus means for the industry.
By April Reese • Feb. 20, 2024 -
Packaging innovations: Angel Soft gets baby fever, Juicy Juice pumps up its playfulness
Plus, packaging refreshes and new launches from Crystal Light, Chanel, O-I Glass, ProAmpac, Berries Paradise, Sway and IPG.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 16, 2024 -
Amazon proposes less packaging, more savings for its sellers
Testing for Ships in Product Packaging compatibility often involves “a series of drops and vibrations,” a packaging innovation team leader said. Sellers can expect fee discounts for program participation.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 14, 2024 -
Can makers back Mardi Gras push to capture used beverage cans
Recycle Dat in New Orleans is the first of many events the newly launched U.S. chapter of Every Can Counts hopes to support to increase the capture of aluminum cans from beverages consumed away from home.
By Maria Rachal • Feb. 13, 2024 -
Colgate-Palmolive faces lawsuit over ‘misleading’ recyclable toothpaste tube claims
A judge denied the CPG company’s request to throw out a lawsuit that consumers filed a year and a half after Colgate introduced a monomaterial HDPE tube. The product’s recyclability has been hotly debated.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 8, 2024 -
Postal Service’s new 2030 sustainability targets cover recycled content, packaging recyclability
Along with reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. Postal Service aims to increase waste diversion.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 8, 2024 -
SPC overhauls sustainable packaging development guide
Sustainable packaging involves more than just recyclability, according to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s new definition of the term. It also should consider elements like end markets and ease of opening.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 6, 2024 -
Q&A
From Apple to plastic-free living: Blue Lake Packaging founder describes business pivot
CEO Ying Liu describes how Blue Lake Packaging aims to expand market reach and product offerings in 2024, noting that “packaging itself can be a product” instead of simply protecting products.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Sponsored by Avery Dennison
Why brands need to prioritize packaging materials that contain recycled content
Discover a world where sustainability meets style with recycled content label materials.
Feb. 5, 2024 -
Ikea subbing in more fiber-based packaging to reduce plastic
The furniture and home goods company shared an update on how it’s tracking against a 2021 goal to eliminate plastic packaging — which was already a relatively small portion of its overall packaging materials.
By Maria Rachal • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Coca-Cola pilot removes labels from Sprite bottles to ease recycling
The initiative follows the beverage giant’s move to improve bottle-to-bottle circularity by switching the bottle color from green to clear. This limited-run trial in British stores also aims to decrease the overall use of packaging material.
By Maria Rachal • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Q&A
Paperboard Packaging Council’s new leader talks importance of listening, representation
PPC promoted Emily Leonczyk to executive director and vice president. She plans for “feet-on-the-ground” engagement during a series of facility visits to better understand members’ changing needs.
By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Walmart, other grocers in Ottawa to team up on concentrated reuse pilot
Jo-Anne St. Godard, executive director of Circular Innovation Council, detailed how Canadian grocers and the government are collaborating to design and fund a “collective shared pool resource model” to scale reusable containers.
By Maria Rachal • Jan. 25, 2024