All Social Impact articles
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ArticleWhat does a new Netflix film say about the potential impacts of plastic exposure?
A new Netflix documentary, The Plastic Detox, explores a potential link between infertility and exposure to chemical additives in plastics – but is it a fair representation of the packaging industry? Packaging Europe watched the documentary to explore its claims, and consults the reactions of industry voices to understand its reception.
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ArticleEuropean PET market strained as supply tightens and costs surge
PET prices are on the rise while availability declines. Caroline Murray, senior editor at ICIS, speaks with suppliers and outlines the geopolitical and industrial factors shaping the current landscape.
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ArticleKey trends shaping the Ukrainian packaging market in wartime
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country’s packaging market ‘significantly declined’ in the first year of war – but sectors such as food, paper and cardboard reportedly doubled their volumes in 2023. Valery Krivoshey PhD and Veronika Khalaydzhi PhD IAC of Upakovka outline the key trends and factors influencing the packaging market.
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ArticleHow does switching to paper-based packaging impact neurodiverse shoppers?
With many companies moving from plastic packaging to paper-based alternatives in a bid to improve recyclability, the move also brings changes in how the packaging looks, feels and sounds, which can have a stronger impact on neurodiverse shoppers. PRS IN VIVO managing director Patrick Young and strategic market researcher Haneefa Buckley share their thoughts on this topic.
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ArticleESG bonuses removed from paychecks of Apple executives
Apparently, Apple removed an ‘ESG modifier’ from its top executives’ pay packages last year – joining other big brands like Procter & Gamble and Starbucks in a trend thought to reflect a decreasing interest in corporate environmental performance across the United States.
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ArticleEuropean Industry Summit talks competitiveness, energy costs and sustainability
At the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen set out her vision for a more globally competitive, affordable, self-sufficient and sustainable industry for Europe’s energy, steel and chemicals sectors.
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ArticleIs it time for all trade shows to switch to reusable cups?
Borealis and Messe Düsseldorf piloted a reusable cup scheme at K Show 2025 with the aim of cutting waste and offering a ‘practical blueprint’ for advancing circularity at large-scale events. Philip Knapen, Borealis’ Application Development and Technical Service Manager for Consumer Products, tells us more about the company’s core learnings from the project.
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ArticleTaking stock as Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin at INC-5.3
Negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty continue in Geneva, but where do we currently stand – and where do negotiators hope to go? We take a bird’s eye view of the International Negotiating Committee saga so far, and hear from a number of voices commenting live from the conference centre.
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ArticleA status report on GLP-1 packaging: sizing, safety, security, and more
Weight-loss drugs keep gaining traction – is that a blessing or a curse for the packaging industry? We dive deeper into the implications of smaller portion sizes, pharmaceutical safety practices versus circular packaging initiatives, supply chain traceability, and more.
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ArticleNestlé chief executive blames Trump for sustainability silence
Nestlé’s chief executive allegedly blames President Donald Trump for the brand’s public silence on sustainability, telling employees that he remains committed to net zero emissions.
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ArticleWhat the High Seas Treaty means for packaging: from substrates to shipping
The High Seas Treaty has entered into force, with potential implications for the packaging industry – including access to marine genetic resources like seaweed and mandatory environmental impact assessments for shipping activities.
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ArticleDo consumers demand too much?
The success or failure of a sustainability-minded packaging design can ultimately hinge on consumer participation, but do they hold impossible expectations? In this edition of the Brief, we delve into the most controversial packaging alterations in recent years, consider why consumers responded so poorly, and ask the important question: is the demand for convenience holding us back?
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Article2D code helps disabled consumers access on-pack information offline
HD Barcode aims to improve the accessibility of on-pack product information with HDInfoCode, an advanced 2D code designed for consumers with reading challenges, visual or hearing impairments, and more.
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ArticlePlain packaging could discourage teenagers from buying vapes, say researchers
Research led by University College London and King’s College London suggests that selling vape pods in plain packaging could dissuade young people from buying them – but the same cannot be said for adult consumers.
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ArticleWhat are the key factors in a successful deposit return system?
A new fact sheet from Reloop names system scope, refund value, and convenience and accessibility as the keys to a successful deposit return system while delving deeper into the social, economic, and practical contexts affecting return rates.
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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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ArticleSustainability definitions and performance concerns hinder packaging progress
McKinsey’s latest research identifies six key barriers companies face when considering sustainability-minded packaging materials, including performance concerns, limited market supply, and different definitions of sustainability.
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ArticleThe Microsoft approach to packaging accessibility
As Senior Creative Director of Packaging Design and Content Development at Microsoft, Marshall has spent decades shaping how one of the world’s most influential brands thinks about packaging: not merely as a container, but as an extension of empathy, understanding, and access.
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ArticleHow can we retrieve ocean plastic waste – and should AI help us do it?
Efforts to collect plastic waste from the ocean are growing in popularity, and machine learning is emerging as a tool to monitor waste hotspots. But should we bring existing waste back to shore? Should AI ever play a role in it, and what does any of it mean for packaging? We dive deeper in the latest edition of the Brief.
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ArticleWhat is the real impact of plastic waste exports on developing countries?
Developed countries export millions of tonnes of plastic waste each year, often to developing nations that may not have the infrastructure to manage it. This report explores the environmental, economic, and regulatory impacts of these exports, with a focus on the EU’s recent measures to curb them and the ongoing challenges surrounding illegal waste shipments.