Materials: Page 5

What’s in the box? Maybe a gift of recovering corrugated demand.

Containerboard demand remains down year over year, but was ending October’s spooky season in a less scary position than previous quarters, according to data from the American Forest & Paper Association.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 31, 2023

EPA considers reevaluating vinyl chloride, as PVC remains common in certain packaging

Spurred in part by the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, environmental groups are urging the agency to review the chemical’s safety. In the meantime, experts have varying thoughts on how easy it would be to find alternatives.

By April Reese • Oct. 30, 2023

Ameripen study says recycling market development centers offer long-term benefits

Research suggests states with recycling market development centers like Michigan or South Carolina retain jobs better. Ameripen sees the centers as tools to help advance sustainable packaging and navigate state recycling laws.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 27, 2023

Recycled PET demand growing slower than expected, reclaimers say

Phoenix Technologies and Indorama Ventures are optimistic, however, that brand commitments and EPR laws will boost the market in the years to come, representatives said at the Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 23, 2023

Packaging innovations: KitKat wrappers gain recycled content, Eastman creates monomaterial beauty packaging

Plus, Walmart and Albertsons expand reach of refillable aluminum soaps and cleaners, and avocado growers tout compostable netting.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 20, 2023

How recyclers and packaging companies are trying to find common ground

Companies from both sectors are trying to better understand each other, recent sustainable packaging and waste industry conferences suggested. Hear from the Product Stewardship Institute, Dow, WM, Ridwell and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 19, 2023

Brands respond to consumer calls for sustainable packaging, but recycling barriers exist

Many companies are switching to fiber to boost sustainability. But factors like coatings and consumer recycling participation still pose challenges, according to speakers at the Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 17, 2023

Packaging innovations: PlayStation boosts accessibility, Dymapak squeezes out tampering

Plus, packaging launches from Berry Global, Microtek Laboratories and UMF|PerfectCLEAN, including options that are compostable or contain PCR.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 13, 2023

Kroger, Lovesac and other brands discuss today’s packaging design priorities

Incorporating sustainability and marketing while building a relationship with the consumer are all part of the desired “holistic experience,” as coined by one packaging CEO at E-PACK.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 12, 2023

What’s next for flexible pouch design, reuse and EPR? Packaging professionals weigh in.

SPC Advance featured perspectives from ProAmpac, Printpack, Dow, Dispatch Goods, Orora Packaging Solutions, Lorax EPI, Specright and more.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Oct. 20, 2023

For e-commerce packaging, sustainability is imperative, not just ‘nice-to-have’

Speakers at E-PACK in Chicago agreed sustainability is a force for change in e-commerce packaging. But what sustainable packaging is and how to achieve it are up for debate.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 10, 2023

Clorox advances circular packaging, but virgin material reduction still a challenge

A member of the US Plastics Pact, the CPG said 88% of its plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable, helped by removing nonrecyclable labels.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 9, 2023

Prices for packaging materials continue to fall, paper and plastics production down

September data reports suggest manufacturing again contracted and prices for aluminum, corrugated boxes and polypropylene all continued monthly declines.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 4, 2023

Packaging innovations: Redesigns from L’Occitane, Blue Moon, Denizen Rum and more

Plus, Crystal Head Vodka bones up its spooky seasonal bottle and Otterbein’s packaging revamp aims to keep cookies crispier.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 29, 2023

Ardagh, Crown fund MRF robot in profit-sharing model

The Can Manufacturers Institute funded a lease for an aluminum can-seeking robot in a California MRF. It’s the first lease partnership for the entities involved, meant to split revenue from the cans collected.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 28, 2023

Packaging experts talk gaps in state, federal policy

Speakers from Ameripen, the Flexible Packaging Association, General Mills and the Plastics Industry Association weighed in on the policy landscape with emerging material bans, extended producer responsibility laws and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 26, 2023

Stories from Pack Expo 2023

Catch up on all of Serdar Akar’s coverage from Las Vegas, including shifting trends and industry leaders’ insights on what’s next.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 26, 2023

US lawmakers again propose tax on virgin plastic in packaging

The REDUCE Act seeks to levy fees on virgin plastics used to make single-use products including plastic packaging, along with beverage containers and food service products.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 25, 2023

Packaging innovations: Vinebox flattens out, Eviosys looks to the horizon for all-metal lids

Plus, product redesigns and recycling-related changes from Georgia-Pacific, ProAmpac, Back to the Roots and Rebbl.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 22, 2023

Colgate, Coca-Cola detail packaging sustainability efforts at Pack Expo

From changing Sprite’s iconic green bottle to improve recyclability to adding postconsumer recycled content into Tom’s of Maine deodorant packaging, brands talked about product sustainability barriers and solutions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 21, 2023

Sustainability has shifted from buzzword to action, Pack Expo participants say

Attendees from Dow, Graphic Packaging International, WestRock and others discussed what sustainability means for their companies, including for product recyclability and material substitution.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 20, 2023

Packaging innovations at Pack Expo 2023: WestRock, Atlantic Packaging’s ‘canopy,’ Tetra Pak goes with Flow

Orbis, Terphane and RyPax also introduced new or redesigned products to improve sustainability, safety and user experience.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 15, 2023

Reusable packaging certification targets PFAS, BPA, phthalates

The new program focuses not just on the switch to reuse, but on the materials in reusable containers themselves. Hazardous chemicals from recycled materials are also of concern, say the organizations behind GreenScreen.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 14, 2023

Packaging innovations: SIG’s cartons give probiotics a long life, Berry Global’s beany redesign

Plus, new products from Printpack and ProAmpac aim to increase packaging sustainability, including through ISCC PLUS certification.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 8, 2023

Packaging innovations: Bud Light’s sporty cans, SC Johnson hits recycled plastic out of the ballpark

Plus: Amcor rolls out new paper packaging in North America, Berry Global details an innovative bottle design challenge and Aldi makes more sustainable packaging announcements in the U.K.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 1, 2023