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Materials & Packaging

The latest developments in materials, feedstocks and processes that are transforming the way many conventional products are made and packaged — and eliminating their negative impacts

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Closing the Loop on Recycling: Unilever, P&G Aim to Give Communities Greater Access to Recycling Programs

Regardless of where we live, we’re neighbors — sharing this grand global space, and thus all of its sustainability challenges and opportunities.Therefore, we believe we also share in the responsibility to develop solutions, and to work togeth... View More

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Plastic Permanence: Our Litter Is Now Part of the Geologic Record

From a human perspective, the earth’s geography changes pretty slowly — it takes thousands of years for a glacier to carve out a valley, for plate tectonics to form mountains and for volcanic eruptions to layer new land masses. But a recent disco... View More

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Report Highlights CPG, Food Companies Leading and Lagging on Better Packaging

Shareholder advocacy group As You Sow and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have issued a new report examining packaging used by 47 fast food/quick service restaurant (QSR) chains, beverage companies, and consumer good/grocery companies an... View More

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Carlsberg Working to Develop Biodegradable Wood Fiber Bottle

Beer giant Carlsberg last week announced its plans to develop the world’s first fully biodegradable wood-fiber bottle.After its participation on a panel on “Wasteless Supply” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Carlsberg launched its three-ye... View More

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Millennials Up Pressure on Brands for Sustainable Packaging

Millennials have higher expectations for sustainable product packaging than their older counterparts, according to a new study by Finnish packaging solutions company Stora Enso.Millennials, defined as those born between 1980 and 2000, are the focus o... View More

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Why Durable Bioplastics, Not Biodegradable, May Be the Answer

To conclude this series about bioplastics and the biodegradability (or lack thereof) of plastic products and packaging, I want to discuss the future of what I consider to be one of the only viable alternatives to plastics derived from non-renewable r... View More

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L’Oréal, Avery Dennison Collaborating to Reduce Environmental Impact of Labels

L’Oréal Americas and Avery Dennison have joined forces to identify and reduce the environmental impacts of packaging labels throughout the entire label lifecycle.The collaboration has already produced a comprehensive Avery Dennison Greenprint™ a... View More

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Pesticide Industry Resists Calls to Reveal Inert Ingredients

Pesticide manufacturers are pushing back against increasing consumer and environmental advocacy group demands for disclosure of the chemicals in pesticide formulations—claiming the information is proprietary.Of particular interest are the so-called... View More

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Honeywell Scales Up Production of Low-GHG Propellant, Insulating Agent and Refrigerant

Honeywell has announced that it has started full-scale commercial production of a low-global-warming-potential (GWP) material used as an aerosol propellant, insulating agent and refrigerant.The diversified technology and manufacturing company says th... View More

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The Myth of Biodegradability in Plastic Consumer Products and Packaging

In my last post regarding the long-term viability of bio-based polymers, I touched on some of the primary concerns we face regarding the rise of plastics labeled as “biodegradable.” It’s an important component of this broad discussion, and one ... View More

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The Push for Bioplastics and the Myth of Biodegradability

This is the first of a three-part series by TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky that examines the benefits, risks, misconceptions and long-term viability of bioplastics. ... View More

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BASF, Haier, Astronautics Corp Unveil Next-Gen Refrigeration Technology at CES 2015

Among the dizzying array of potentially game-changing innovations on display this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, BASF — along with Haier, a global manufacturer of household appliances, and Astronautics Corporation... View More

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Cashew Nut Byproduct Could Help Trap Tsetse Fly, Create New Value for African Farmers

Researchers have developed a new chemical method applied to a byproduct of cashew nuts that could make it easier to trap tsetse flies and open new revenue streams for nut producers in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new report. ... View More

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Revlon Agrees to Remove Some Dangerous Chemicals From Its Products

Late last month, global cosmetics giant Revlon announced it will remove some long-chain parabens and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from its products, in response to a petition circulated last year by the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG... View More

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Year in Review: One Company’s Waste Becomes Another’s Bioplastic

As data continues to emerge on the damage being caused by discarded plastic persisting in the environment, it’s clear the millions of tons of the ubiquitous material we’ve already produced isn’t going away anytime soon.Luckily, a host of scient... View More

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AkzoNobel Develops Reflective Paint That Keeps You Cool

AkzoNobel, the paint, coatings and specialty chemical company, has developed exterior wall paints that reflect more infrared light to reduce heat absorption and reduce energy consumption.With this technology, an average house can save up to 15 percen... View More

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Survey: Packaging Pros Have Limited Understanding of Biz Impacts of Resource Scarcity

Packaging professionals within consumer packaged goods companies report growing awareness around the business impacts connected to natural resource scarcity, but robust knowledge and understanding is still absent, according to a recent survey by Tetr... View More

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The Evidence Is Clear: Consumers Want More Sustainable Packaging Options

With the holiday season upon us, millions of shoppers are in the midst of purchasing wrapping paper and packaging for their gifts this year. What might surprise many is how much consumer commitment towards environmentally sustainable packaging has in... View More

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Purdue Researchers Turn Biomass Waste into Valuable Chemical Products

A team of researchers from Purdue University's Center for Direct Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Biofuels (C3Bio) has developed a new catalytic process that converts biomass waste into chemical products that can be used in fragrances, flavorings o... View More

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Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in Many Seasonal Holiday Decor Products

A research study released today finds that top retailers of holiday decor continue to sell seasonal products containing hazardous chemicals. The research found that two-thirds of tested products had one or more hazardous chemicals that have been link... View More

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