All Comment articles – Page 8
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How did Brazil achieve its 100% aluminium can recycling rate – and can it be replicated in the EU?
Brazil recently became the first country in the world to achieve a 100% recycling rate for aluminum cans, according to reports. How was this landmark achieved, and how can this success be replicated in Europe? Cátilo Cândido, executive president of Abralatas (the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can ...
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Where are we at with accessibility in packaging?
How far has accessible and inclusive packaging design come in recent times, what are some examples of effective accessible packaging design projects, and what more can the industry do to centre the experiences and opinions of disabled people throughout the design process? To get some answers to these questions we spoke with a 40-year veteran of the industry – Nick Dormon, managing director and founder at Echo.
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Five misconceptions about sustainable packaging and machinery (debunked)
It’s no secret that there is an abundance of misconceptions around sustainable packaging. These are used frequently outside the industry, but also often within it. So, what are the most damaging misconceptions, and how can the packaging value chain overcome them? Michelle Bryson, Global Sustainable Packaging Leader for BW Packaging, tells us more.
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A critical view on the UN’s roadmap towards cutting plastic pollution
Last week, the United Nations released a roadmap that outlines the changes it believes are required to end plastic pollution and create a circular economy. The document preceded discussions that are taking place in Paris this week on the subject of creating a legally binding ‘global plastics treaty’. Robert Lilienfeld, founder and executive director of sustainable packaging think tank SPRING, gives his views on the report.
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EU Packaging and Packaging Waste draft regulations accused of falling short on e-commerce
With the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive revisions being debated in the European Parliament this week, Elena Rotzokou (Global EPR Researcher at Ecoveritas) asks an important question: should the proposals focus more on e-commerce?
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The interpack 2023 review
What were the key moments from interpack 2023, what is the inside story on the COVID-affected 2020 edition, and how do physical events like interpack fit into the digital age? We put these questions – and more – to Thomas Dohse, director at interpack, in a recent conversation.
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Rethinking packaging strategies for circularity
Businesses face a multitude of challenges as they search for sustainable packaging solutions. Apurva Munjal, a consultant at Ecoveritas, takes a deep dive into these challenges and explains how to make a success out of infrastructure, supply chains, data-driven decision making, and innovation in this context.
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Fortune favours the brave in the alc-bev sector
Renan Joel, Managing Director of Packaging at Easyfairs, argues that a drink’s taste will linger much more pleasurably on the palate when its packaging hits the spot, and how premium offers an aspirational and attainable outlet, in our latest comment article.
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What makes Sainsbury’s new mince format a ‘packaging fail’?
In April, we reported on the overwhelmingly negative consumer feedback to Sainsbury’s new vacuum packs for its beef mince range – which the retailer implemented in a bid to reduce its usage of plastic. In this article, Robert Lilienfeld, founder and executive director of sustainable packaging think tank SPRING, gives his views on why the solution is a ‘complete failure’.
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Taking a closer look at Mondi’s paper-based alternative to shrink wrap
Hug&Hold by Mondi is a 100% paper-based solution that has been designed to act as an alternative to plastic shrink wrap, with a primary focus on bundling PET bottles. Tarik Aniba, Sales & Marketing Director at Mondi Corrugated Solutions, tells us more about the drivers behind the development of the solution, the biggest challenges that were encountered during the R&D process, and how it compares to alternatives from a functionality point-of-view.
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Collaboration is key: A conversation with Rovema
German machinery manufacturer Rovema has set up its own series of events - the Rovema Customized Experience at the company’s headquarters in Fernwald in Germany.
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An inside look at Ball Corporation’s science-based pathway towards achieving decarbonization
Ball Corporation, the world’s largest provider of aluminium packaging, recently unveiled a detailed breakdown of its pathway toward achieving decarbonization. The company’s ‘Climate Transition Plan’ focuses in large part on the reduction of Scope 3 emissions, increasing circularity in the sector, and positive policy advocacy. To learn more about the details, we caught up Björn Kulmann, Vice President of Sustainability at Ball.
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‘The only way to stop the flow of plastic into our oceans is to understand the problem’
A key part of putting an end to plastic pollution is enhancing our understanding of exactly where this plastic is coming from in the first place. To that end, Prevented Ocean Plastic is embarking on a research project with experts from the University of Georgia that will explore this issue. Raffi Schieir, Director of Prevented Ocean Plastic and Bantam Materials, tells us more.
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AI and the future of packaging
The future of the packaging industry will be influenced by a range of disruptive themes, with artificial intelligence (AI) being one of the biggest to have a significant impact on packaging companies. Where should food and drink brands invest to ensure they keep up with the rest of the FMCG industry? Adam Sears, VP of Client Service (UK/IE/AUS) at Equator Design, tells us more.
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The McDonald’s approach to packaging sustainability
An innovative reusable packaging system created by McDonald’s recently went viral – being highlighted by a number of commentators as an example of responsible consumption patterns and waste reduction. We spoke with Floor Uitterhoeve, Director for Market Sustainability in Europe at McDonald’s, to learn more about how solutions like this fit into the company’s overall packaging sustainability strategy.
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Can workplace education encourage individual consumers to buy food in environmentally friendly packaging?
While the packaging industry is searching for answers to the question of how to encourage individual consumers to buy food in environmentally friendly packaging, Human Resource Management (HRM) scholars might have found an answer. Recent studies suggest that new practices such as “green training” may influence employees’ eco-friendly purchasing behaviors outside of work. Dr. Igor Popovic, Vice President, Global Sales and Commercial Excellence at Huhtamaki, tells us more.
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Plastics supply chain in Europe continues to push for greater legal certainty for recycled content
Earlier this week, organisations from across the value chain called on the EU to adopt mass balance as a means of developing EU-harmonised calculating rules for recycled content in plastics applications in order to meet revised environmental targets.
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The pack is back
In times of economic uncertainty, how do consumer and brand owner perceptions of packaging change? Christopher Schilperoort, MD at brand and packaging design agency bluemarlin, says that in tough times, packaging has an even bigger job to do.
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The need for the industry to pivot in the face of new EU rules
The packaging industry has a choice: evolve now to meet the increasing demand for sustainable packaging or become irrelevant, says Rob Brown, head of European business development at OKI Europe.
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On Second Thoughts… Is ‘uber standardization’ the next step for reuse?
James Harmer, Planning & Innovation Strategy Leader at Cambridge Design Partnership, provides an innovator’s perspective on what might happen as companies respond to the European Commission Green Deal proposal – and whether a radical level of standardization is called for to create more widespread uptake of reuse models.