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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New Guidelines, 2020 Brand Audit Aim to Finally Move the Needle on Corporate Plastic Stewardship

Since scientists first raised the alarm about plastic pollution in the environment, brands have been slow to respond. Will the 2020 Brand Audit and new plastic-stewardship guidelines help accelerate an overdue shift away from single-use plastic? ... View More

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3 Advances in Sequestering Carbon in the Built Environment

The ability to not only eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, but actually sequester carbon, would transform buildings from net negative to net positive entities. Here, we examine several approaches making this possible. ... View More

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Ahead of Black Friday, Brands Join Fight Against Paper Packaging Problem

22 more brands have joined Canopy’s Pack4Good campaign to greatly reduce the three billion trees cut down every year for paper packaging. ... View More

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New Calculator Helps Beauty Formulators Assess Health of Products

The chemical giant’s 1,4-Dioxane Online Calculator allows beauty and cosmetic formulators to reassess product formulas when necessary, and helps them navigate regulation for continued success. ... View More

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Q&A: Shaw Pivots to Fulfill Its Purpose During the Pandemic

When business as usual ground to a halt this year, companies such as Shaw saw the opportunity to innovate to find new ways to help communities and the spaces in which they live and work. ... View More

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Q&A: Embedding Diversity, Inclusion Into the World’s Largest Chemical Company

BASF has been recognized as a leader for its work to become a diverse and inclusive workplace, but Peter Eckes — BASF’s President of Global Bioscience — recognizes that much work remains to be done. ... View More

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That’s the Spirit! Bacardi’s Biodegradable Bottle Latest Boon to Beverage Packaging

Set to arrive in 2023, the bottle — which will biodegrade in 18 months — will replace 80M plastic bottles currently produced by Bacardi across its portfolio of brands every year. ... View More

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CVS, Target Working to ‘Skip the Slip’ with Digital, Non-Toxic Receipt Options

Green America’s new ‘Skip the Slip’ report tracks the progress on receipt practices of 35 major companies. The retailers’ switch reflects growing consumer demand for digital options and non-toxic, recyclable receipt paper. ... View More

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The Great Indoors: Creating a Nurturing Habitat for People and Planet

We spend 90% of our time indoors, and that was before a global pandemic forced many of us to turn our living environments into our offices, schools and gyms. So, what is the key to creating nurturing indoor habitats? ... View More

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How WestRock Is Collaborating Its Way Toward a More Circular Economy

Here, WestRock shares insights from its Climate Week panel with the Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, GreenBlue and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. ... View More

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Growing the Market with Averted Plastic

“Averted Plastic” encompasses any mismanaged plastic waste. Oceanworks has expanded its marketplace to include this material — incentivizing entrepreneurs worldwide to divert all plastic waste into economical recycling programs. ... View More

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Strategies for Scaling Ocean Plastic Supply

Brand commitments are the engine driving recycled plastic’s transition to scale. Making recycled plastic content part of your brand story is hands down the most important way to move the needle. ... View More

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Why Collaboration Is Crucial for Plastics Industry Disruption

To date, plastic recycling has nibbled around the edges. Just like with the climate crisis — no single nation or company can fix our plastic pollution problem on its own; success will only be realized via coordinated efforts. ... View More

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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. ... View More

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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. ... View More

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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. ... View More

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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. ... View More

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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. ... View More

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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. ... View More

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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. ... View More

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