All Consumer Experience articles
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ArticleBiffa recycles 10 billion plastic milk bottles
Biffa has revealed it has recycled 10 billion HDPE milk bottles through a closed-loop solution. Managing director of Biffa Polymers, James McLeary, believes this needs to become the norm, and issues such as UK exports of unprocessed plastic waste need to be tackled. In this article, we summarize McLeary’s reflections on the company’s milestone.
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ArticleRe:Water and Ball target retail, catering and hospitality sectors with new agreement
Aluminium bottled water brand Re:Water has announced a major five-year agreement with Ball, which will supply ‘tens of millions’ of bottles to support Re:Water’s growth in the retail, catering, and hospitality sectors.
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ArticleWhy does everyone hate sporks?
The spork is an infamous utensil, envisioned as a spoon-and-fork hybrid but widely mocked for its impracticality. Should we write it off entirely, or can we learn some valuable lessons from its poor reception? We answer these questions and more in this edition of the Brief.
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ArticleCo-op launches ‘first’ UK convenience store trial for coffee pod recycling with Podback
Co-op claims it is the first UK convenience retailer to partner with nationwide coffee pod recycling service Podback, aiming to make it easier for customers and members to recycle used coffee pods in-store.
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ArticleHas the ‘strawless’ McDonald’s lid hit the functional-sustainable sweet spot?
Earlier this month, McDonald’s Japan revealed that it would replace paper straws with a ‘strawless’ rPET lid. Dan Coppins, packaging technologist and sustainability consultant at Pack-Man Consulting, makes a case for the new lid from a functional, environmental, and business perspective.
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ArticleSmol launches refillable bottles made from 100% recycled aluminium
Cleaning brand Smol has announced its new range of refillable bottles made from 100% recycled aluminium, aiming to reduce single-use plastic and unnecessary waste for customers.
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ArticleLiquid medicines packaged in single-serve pouches with tethered caps
SIG and Zydus Lifesciences will distribute liquid cough and cold medication in single-serve, tethered spouted pouches – aiming for precise dosing, improved hygiene, and reduced waste.
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ArticleSustainability Awards 2025 Winner Interview: Blue Ocean Closures’ fibre-based screw cap
Blue Ocean Closures was the winner of the Recyclable Packaging category at this year’s Sustainability Awards with its fibre-based screw cap, recyclable in the paper stream. We spoke to the company to find out more about this innovation.
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ArticleCoverpla launches made-to-measure service for fragrance and cosmetics packaging
Coverpla has expanded its packaging model with the launch of a made-to-measure service ranging from cap to bottle, covering design, tooling and production even for small runs.
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ArticleNOMO introduces advent calendar with Braille overlays
UK plant-based chocolate brand NOMO has launched its first Braille Advent Calendar in collaboration with Dotty About Braille, aiming to enable blind and partially sighted customers to enjoy the countdown to Christmas independently.
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ArticleSmurfit Westrock opens ‘world first’ facility for pharmaceutical packaging and clinical trials
Smurfit Westrock has officially opened its Horizon packaging facility, said to be the ‘world’s first’ designed exclusively for pharmaceutical patient medication adherence, regulated pharma packaging and clinical trials.
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ArticleOn-the-go carton bottle from SIG applied to SalzburgMilch’s dairy products
SalzburgMilch will package its dairy products in SIG’s on-the-go carton bottle, SIG DomeMini – a move set to balance functionality and shelf appeal.
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ArticleMcDonald’s Happy Meal box becomes canvas to ‘draw how you feel’
McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need have debuted blank Happy Meal boxes to encourage children to express their emotions through art and start mental health conversations.
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ArticleCircular concept features refillable jar, grape-based design, and NFC chip
As part of an ongoing pilot project, Lumson, Krill Design, and researchers from the Politecnico di Milano have revealed a refillable jar made from recycled glass, design packaging made from grape residues, and an NFC chip for digital branding.
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ArticleMcDonald’s Japan scraps paper straws
McDonald’s Japan has replaced its controversial paper straws with ‘strawless’ lids made from recycled PET, but consumers are still divided on the new solution’s practicality. Tim Sykes reflects on this demand for convenience, sometimes at the expense of sustainable progress, and what we can learn from getting the balance wrong.
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ArticleCoca-Cola replaces shrink wrap with DS Smith’s corrugated multipack handle
Coca-Cola HBC Austria, DS Smith, and Krones have jointly developed a recyclable, corrugated handle for soft drink multipacks – a solution said to replace around 200 tonnes of plastic shrink wrap annually.
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ArticleHow to make Halloween more sustainable
Halloween is almost upon us, and Packaging Europe asks the question: is overconsumption the only way to celebrate? In the latest edition of the Brief, we consider viable ways for businesses and consumers alike to enjoy the spooky season without leaving a trail of packaging waste behind.
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ArticleRoyal Unibrew and Faerch’s recyclable cups achieve 97% return rate at Danish festival
Royal Unibrew and Faerch have collaborated on cups made from recycled PET, processed back into food-grade material after use and said to have achieved a 97% return rate at Smukfest 2025 in Denmark.
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ArticleInfinityGift seeks to deliver interactive packaging experience with puzzle design
InfinityGift is a patented experimental packaging concept aiming to deliver an ‘interactive, collectible experience’ that improves brand connections with the consumer.
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ArticleCoop Denmark eliminates six million screw caps annually with Elopak cartons
Elopak has revealed that Co-op Denmark will be packaging its own brand yoghurt and Ymer sour milk products in the company’s beverage cartons without screw caps, a move said to eliminate six million screw caps annually.