All Sustainability articles
-
ArticleDePoly’s showcase plant to turn 500 tonnes of PET into raw materials yearly
DePoly is launching a showcase plant for converting PET and polyester waste into ‘virgin-quality’ raw materials without fossil fuels, anticipating the production of 500 tonnes every year.
-
ArticleWhy do big brands keep missing their sustainability targets?
From Unilever to L’Oréal, multiple big brands are missing and revising their sustainable packaging targets for 2025 – but why? We delve deeper into the commonly cited stumbling blocks, including overambition, underdeveloped infrastructure and regulation, access to recyclate, and consumer behaviour.
-
ArticleThe Brief: Are retailers the key to eliminating single-use plastics?
Have researchers from the University of Tartu, Riga Technical University, and the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry discovered the secret to successful plastic bag restrictions: retailers? In this edition of the Brief, we consult their breakdown of plastic policies in twelve global countries and find the optimal balance between impactful legislation, retail campaigns, and consumer behaviour.
-
ArticleSteel and aluminium held to new EU eco-design and energy labelling rules
The European Commission has adopted the 2025-2030 working plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products and Energy Labelling Regulations, with steel and aluminium among the list of priority products to implement eco-design requirements and energy labelling within the next five years.
-
Article‘Frictionless’ reuse system uses QR and avoids apps for simpler cup returns
Borro has developed a ‘frictionless’ reuse system for beverage cups served at events; its app-free, QR-driven return process is thought to be ‘as easy as single-use’ and aims to improve return rates and consumer satisfaction.
-
ArticleSimplified EU Deforestation Regulation to lower administrative burden by 30%
The European Commission intends to simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation and lessen administrative burden and costs by 30% as it publishes new guidance documents before the law enters into application later this year.
-
ArticleMondelez may fall short on virgin plastic and design-for-recycling targets for 2025
In its 2024 Report, Mondelēz reveals stalling progress in reducing its virgin rigid plastics in line with its targets for 2025, and a complete stagnation in designed-for-recycling packaging since 2022; yet it apparently draws nearer to its overall virgin plastic reduction goal.
-
ArticleUpdated B Corp standards mandate ongoing environmental and social progress
B Lab has revealed seven new standards for B Corp Certification, including clearly defined, science-based sustainability targets, transparently monitored environmental performance, and meaningful action to help both people and the planet.
-
PodcastInsights from a city-wide reusable packaging project with Tomra’s Geir Sæther
How can reusable packaging be scaled up? Last year, Tomra started a trial across the city of Aarhus in Denmark for a city-wide platform for reusable takeaway packaging. One year into the trial, Tomra’s Geir Sæther discusses the project, challenges, scalability and future plans with Elisabeth Skoda.
-
ArticleMcDonald’s, Costa Coffee, and others recycle paper cups with AI screening
Paper cups from McDonald’s, Greggs, Pret a Manger, Costa Coffee, and Caffè Nero can now be recycled via a ‘world-first’ AI-based recycling trial run in Cardiff by the National Cup Recycling Scheme, Keep Wales Tidy, and Bower.
-
ArticleRefillable pouch or inner-bottle replacement format applied to hotel amenities
Vanity Group’s refillable bottle for hotel amenities, available in a pouch or inner-bottle replacement system format, aims to cut plastic waste by 93% while improving hygiene and efficiency.
-
ArticleTrade associations need stronger carbon reduction policies, says Unilever
Unilever’s latest Climate Policy Engagement Review found that almost 50% of its trade associations are ‘passively aligned’ on climate issues like decarbonization, leading the company to collaborate with its partners and pursue stronger measures.
-
ArticleWhere L’Oréal stands after missing sustainable packaging goals for 2025
L’Oréal Groupe has failed to meet several of its sustainability targets for 2025, missing its 100% recyclable, reusable, refillable, or compostable plastic packaging goal by 51%. We take a deeper dive into its packaging progress so far and the feasibility of its ambitions for 2030.
-
ArticlePaper wine bottles from Frugalpac go on sale at Target to reduce emissions
Frugalpac’s paper wine bottles, made from 94% recycled paperboard and a certified recyclable plastic pouch, have hit the shelves at Target in a move anticipated to save almost 87.8 tons of CO2e.
-
ArticlePolicy proposals foreground renewable carbon in European industry
In a new report, the Renewable Carbon Initiative and nova-Institute have laid out policy proposals to further Europe’s transition into carbon capture and utilization, biomass, recycling, and other renewable carbon sources – envisioning improvements in both sustainability and competitiveness.
-
ArticleClear, recyclable bottles with 35% rPET introduced for Yoplait yoghurt drink
Yoplait has rolled out a clear, 35% recycled PET bottle with an attached cap and micro-perforated sleeve for its Yop yoghurt drink – a redesign intended for easy recycling in line with the brand’s target of 100% recyclability by the end of 2025.
-
ArticleReport: The ultimate guide to global packaging sustainability regulation in 2025
Packaging Europe members may already be aware of the previous guide to global plastics regulation we published last year. This year’s report again explores how plastic regulation continues to evolve but opens up the field to include all materials and formats.
-
ArticleWaitrose tracks and traces plastic packaging waste with Polytag’s UV tags
Waitrose has become the newest member of Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme, which identifies and captures data on single-use plastic packaging throughout the recycling stream using invisible UV Tag technology.
-
ArticleBiodegradable mulching films leach fewer microplastics in open-field testing
Sirmax Group’s certified biodegradable plastic mulching films have reportedly lowered micro-bioplastic concentration in agricultural soil during open-field testing with the University of Turin.
-
ArticleIndustrial-scale HolyGrail 2.0 trial sorts 56,000 rigid packaging items daily
HolyGrail 2.0’s latest industrial-scale sorting trials – driven by AIM, the European Brands Association, and powered by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste – claim to have exceeded a detection efficiency of over 90% and a daily detection rate of almost 56,000 items of post-household rigid packaging.