On 5 June, the European Commission published a Commission Notice providing further clarity about the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in practice. We take a closer look at the document to understand its requirements in detail, including the current status of PFAS restrictions, the…
In this Innovation Spotlight, Dow outlines how its extrusion coating portfolio aims to support recyclability requirements and regulatory readiness, and how its collaboration with RDM Group demonstrates how lightweight polymer coatings can extend the use of fibre-based packaging into applications…
Efforts to collect plastic waste from the ocean are growing in popularity, and machine learning is emerging as a tool to monitor waste hotspots. But should we bring existing waste back to shore? Should AI ever play a role in it, and what does any of it mean for packaging? We dive deeper in the…
As our summer vacations draw to a close, have we left mountains of single-use water bottles in our wake? In this edition of the Brief, we weigh up the necessity of plastic bottles at tourist destinations, factoring in both safety and convenience, and consider best practices for our future holidays.
Economic disparities between racial groups became a driving factor in New York State’s failure to implement EPR obligations for packaging producers; but packaging waste is already contributing to a reduced quality of life for disadvantaged communities, even beyond the American border. In this…
As the European Commission withdraws its Green Claims Directive proposal, how else does EU law protect consumers from ambiguous or deceptive sustainability claims? We delve deeper into the legal landscape in this edition of the Brief.
Is stigma around periods fueling the rise in menstrual product packaging waste? Are we over-packaging single-use solutions? Could a transition into reusable products help, or is the answer more complicated? We answer all these questions in this edition of the Brief.
Have researchers from the University of Tartu, Riga Technical University, and the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry discovered the secret to successful plastic bag restrictions: retailers? In this edition of the Brief, we consult their breakdown of plastic policies in twelve global…
After 40% of General Mills shareholders voted in favour of a sustainable packaging progress report, only for the move to be written off as ‘unnecessary’, we ask the question: how far can investors really influence a company’s sustainable packaging practices? We weigh up the options and their…
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is now in force, but does it address your biggest concerns? In this edition of the Brief, we break down the official text to discover how well it aligns with industry feedback – and what it means for you in the coming years.
On the heels of our previous investigation into fast-fashion packaging, we turn our attention to online marketplaces. What is the outlook on sustainable packaging in consumer-to-consumer sales, and can it ever be fully enforced? If so, who is responsible – the sellers or the platforms? We ask all…
Why do so many consumers hate tethered bottle caps? Despite their role in ensuring that plastic lids can be recycled properly, numerous viral social posts over the past year have branded them as uncomfortable, inconvenient, and frustrating. Why, and what can be done to improve their reputation?…
So many valuable and in-depth conversations were held at the Sustainable Packaging Summit this year. To give you a taste, this edition of the Brief provides a snapshot of the onstage discussions, from regulatory limitations to data collection to start-up pitches.
On 25th November – 1st December 2024, the final round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty will be held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan, Republic of Korea. In this edition of The Brief, we revisit the four Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) meetings that…
