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…
In recent months the Labubu toy - designed by artist Kasing Lung and sold by Chinese toy maker Pop Mart - has become a global sensation, with its blind box packaging a key selling point for consumers. In this Brief, we examine how Labubu’s packaging has contributed to its success, how this could…
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…
Developed countries export millions of tonnes of plastic waste each year, often to developing nations that may not have the infrastructure to manage it. This report explores the environmental, economic, and regulatory impacts of these exports, with a focus on the EU’s recent measures to curb them…
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.
We hear – and write – a lot about the sustainability challenges faced by the packaging industry as viewed from the perspective of those who have been working in this sector for many years. But we hear less about the importance of fostering the next generation of packaging technologists who will be…
Sensoneo recently published its Global Waste Index 2025, comparing waste management across the 38 member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD). In this edition of The Brief, we outline the main findings of the report including the biggest global waste…
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…
We have been following the evolution of the paper bottle for near-on a decade. In this time, we have observed how it has caught the imagination and attention of the industry in a way that few other packaging innovations have. But can it really move beyond niche to mainstream? This is the question…
At the end of last year, the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) released its data report on England’s Resources and Waste Policy programme, which involved improving recycling rates for households and businesses; improving waste quality; and reducing plastic pollution and…
Edible packaging, which can be eaten along with its contents, is being hailed as a potential solution to the packaging waste crisis. Can it live up to the hype?
In recent years, dissolvable packaging has been emerging across multiple industries including food, retail and personal care. In this edition of The Brief, we take a closer look at its current uses, some of the benefits and challenges involved and consider its potential future applications.
Almost 20 European countries now have live Deposit Return Schemes, with more to follow soon. In our latest Report, we take a look at the big question: Is DRS the key to meeting Europe’s collection targets?
