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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

In the Spirit of Sustainability: Absolut Set to Unveil Fully Recyclable Paper Bottles

While still in the testing phase, The Absolut Company hopes that its new paper bottle will be the first of many in a wider range of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers. Read More...

Is Plastics Recycling Still a Lie?

More and more plastic is finally being recovered and recycled by companies that share Oceanworks’ commitment to ensuring that this feedstock becomes — and remains — a first choice for the industry going forward. Read More...

What Is Ocean-Bound Plastic? And Does It Really Matter?

To fully address the plastic waste challenge, it is urgent to capture as much of it as possible. Diverting ocean-bound plastics is a worthy cause, but it only scratches the surface of the broader challenge of mismanaged waste. Read More...

McDonald’s, Loop Partner on Industry-First Cup Return Scheme

Beginning in 2021, McDonald's customers in select UK restaurants will be able to choose a reusable hot beverage cup, which can be returned to be sanitized and reused. Read More...

The Business Case(s) for Blending Ocean Plastics

Forging a path that recognizes both the importance of recycling and the specific needs of manufacturers will enlist far more companies into the world of recycled plastic. The key to this happy medium is blending. Read More...

Chicago Parks Fight Hand Sanitizer Shortage Through Innovative Biodiesel Partnership

An unlikely partnership has enabled the Chicago Park District to produce enough much-needed hand sanitizer to keep its employees and park visitors safe during the pandemic. Read More...

Fashion, Beauty Brands Pushing the Envelope with Sustainable Packaging Stories

Sustainable packaging is on track to becoming the norm in both industries, leaving the thing that sets brands apart as the way they communicate the message. Read More...

prAna’s Responsible Packaging Movement Aims to Foster Sea Change in Fashion

Leading by example, the sustainable fashion brand has pledging to eliminate plastic from its consumer packaging by 2021, the use of Ancient and Endangered Forest by 2022, and to eliminate virgin forest fibers by 2025. Read More...

The Future of Fashion Is in Biomaterials and Circularity

The circular economy is here to stay — and no industry is better positioned to take on this challenge than fashion. The designers, innovators and business people in this industry are starting a revolution that ensures doing good never goes out of style.  Read More...

Going Green (and Blue): Three Lessons Learned from a Circular Partnership

As CHEP and Ice River Springs have worked together in pursuit of a stronger circular economy, we’ve learned a number of lessons. We want to share a few with you, in hopes that they’ll spark inspiration for your own operations. Read More...

How a Classic Brand Is Tackling the Marine Plastic Problem

Zipper giant YKK Group has used recycled PET yarns in the woven tape of its Natulon® zippers since 1994. But when it wanted to help address the challenge of ocean plastic, the company saw it as an opportunity to get creative. Read More...

BASF to Release Carbon Footprint Data for Its 45K Products

The chemical giant has been a leader in innovative approaches to quantifying the impacts of its diverse product portfolio. Read More...

6 Tips for Avoiding Recycled Materials Supply Chain Disruptions

Don’t wait until a breakdown happens to explore alternatives. Start evaluating your supply chain today and expand your recycled plastic sources to keep things humming no matter what the world throws at you. Read More...

Trending: Returnity, Venetian Resort Working to Cut Out COVID Waste

Surgical mask upcycling and antimicrobial, reusable packaging solutions are some of the latest initiatives aiming to clean up some of our COVID-fueled, plastic-covered mess. Read More...

From the Source: New System Offers Brands Data on Sustainable Cotton-Growing Practices

The US Cotton Trust Protocol provides measured and verified data about US cotton; which allows fashion and textile brands and retailers to track annual progress toward their targets, and help them tell their sustainability stories. Read More...

US Retail Giants Convene to Reinvent the Plastic Retail Bag

Leading retailers CVS Health, Target and Walmart — joined by Kroger and Walgreens, and NGOs Conservation International and Ocean Conservancy — unite to tackle retail bag waste and invite others to join the effort. Read More...

Recycled Plastic Certifications Are Stifling Innovation

Recycled plastic certification makes sense. Manufacturers need confidence that the raw materials they’re acquiring meet their requirements and are truly recycled. But more certifications likely means higher costs and thus less recycled plastic. Read More...

Diageo Announces World’s First 100% Plastic-Free, Paper-Based Spirits Bottle

Looks like Johnnie Walker scotch could be first to market with a paper-based packaging solution, made from sustainably sourced wood pulp, early next year. Read More...

Trending: Meet the Innovators Hell-Bent for Plant-Based Leather

While companies such as Amadou and MycoWorks are charging ahead with mushroom-based leather, here we see the material made from eggplant, cacti and apples — and taking a bite out of food waste at the same time. Read More...

‘About the Box’ Thinking: A Brewer's Sustainability Story

Watch what happens when a sustainable hard kombucha brand teams up with WestRock for packaging that reflects its brand values. Read More...

Upcoming Events

October 14-17, 2024
SB'24 San Diego
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December 11-12, 2024
SB Member Network: Shifting Customer Behavior and Demand December Member Meeting
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March 18-19, 2025
SB'25 Tokyo Marunouchi