Sustainability

New study finds that while 77% of European consumers hold a positive view on reusable packaging, 78% express concerns about packaging cleanliness and only 30% fully understand the concept.

Michigan State University’s School of Packaging is developing a new, compostable material to help cut down on waste. Rafael Auras, a professor and researcher at MSU, believes that composting is a key component to reducing waste. Auras has been working for almost 20 years on biodegradable material, looking to create a plastic alternative that can be composted.

Sainsbury’s is the first UK retailer to announce it is switching from plastic to paper packaging across its entire own-brand toilet paper and kitchen towel ranges.

Fast-food companies are pushing back against European Union proposals to require all restaurants to use reusable materials for serving dine-in customers, warning that early experiences with reuse aren’t promising.

As the EU prepares to set strict new targets on packaging waste, a mounting body of evidence shows that proposed targets on reusables are unscientific, unsustainable and unnecessary.

Tesco is removing packaging from a range of its most popular bakery products in a bid to remove 33 million pieces of plastic each year.

The change marks the first switch away from rustling, shiny plastic wrappers for the brand in 86 years since Harold Mackintosh launched the brand in 1936 – with the intention of keeping 2bn wrappers a year out of landfill.

The European association representing the paper industry Cepi has updated its European test method for paper recyclability to ensure all paper packaging is recyclable by 2025.

According to a recent press release, BIOLO is the first company to successfully use PHA technology to manufacture not only straws, but also fully compostable bags.

Mondelēz International CEO Dirk Van de Put said Australia was leading the way in finding solutions for a circular economy for packaging waste.

A trial to remove un-needed toothpaste packaging in the UK has been launched by Tesco.

Global flexible packaging and lidding films supplier KM Packaging has introduced a new home-compostable cling film called C-Cling.

In Germany, pharmaceutical giant Bayer has issued a “packaging challenge” as it looks for more sustainable options for its plethora of products.

Tetra Pak, the Switzerland-based food packaging and processing company, has set its sights on the Chinese market for growing sales of its plant-based packaging to help beverage companies cut their carbon footprints.

Dairy giant Müller UK & Ireland has announced plans to remove 500 tonnes of virgin plastic from its annual production of cream pots by switching to packaging made from recycled plastic.

Denmark’s parliament has agreed a policy to hold manufacturers accountable for the single-use plastic and packaging they produce. The deal, which was agreed by a cross-aisle...