All Sustainability articles – Page 126
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What goes into scaling one of Europe’s largest refill trials?
Re’s Smart Bottles, Return Stations and Refill Stations are the driving force behind a multi-retailer refill trial for FMCG that includes Unilever, Tesco, ASDA, and Co-Op, among others. We spoke to Jo-Anne Chidley, founder of Re, and Doug Morwood, managing director at Re, about the importance of consumer-focused collaboration in facilitating a circular economy and what it means to be awarded UK Research and Innovation funding for the scheme.
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Thermoformed cups with IML decoration offered by Greiner Packaging
Both the thermoformed cup and IML label by Greiner Packaging are produced in a single process and made of polypropylene (PP), reportedly offering a recyclable monomaterial solution that is lighter weight and suitable for a range of decorative effects.
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The cost of e-commerce returns for retailers
When so many retailers offer free returns, people can easily be lulled into thinking there’s no cost attached. Research suggests that returns cost UK retailers £60 billion annually, on top of the the environmental impacts of transit and re-selling or disposing of items. DPack offers potential solutions for retailers facing these challenges.
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Recyclable packaging across the board – are we there yet?
Recyclability is one of the cornerstones of a circular economy and has shifted into focus not least due to a proliferation of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) schemes, the EU’s green deal and changing laws that penalise packaging that’s not recyclable or reusable and doesn’t incorporate recycled content.
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Colpac introduces single portion platters to cater for changes in the shared buffet market
Colpac has expanded its Platters range to incorporate two new, smaller individual sized options in a bid to meet demand from the meetings and events sector for more hygienic alternatives to the shared buffet experience.
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How is the European bioplastics industry seeking to gain more regulatory approval?
European Bioplastics, an association representing the bioplastics industry in Europe, recently announced the appointment of Maria Negut as its new Head of EU Affairs. Her job will be to convince EU decision-makers that bioplastics can play a vital role in helping them to achieve their climate goals. We spoke with Negut to learn more about the arguments her organisation will be using in its attempts to make this happen.
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Amcor expands recycle-ready PE packaging to coffee and cheese applications
Amcor has expanded its AmPrima range of PE-based packaging with a range of pouches and wraps for coffee and cheeses, which the company claims can replace hard-to-recycle, multi-material options without any compromise on performance.
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Coveris launches stretch film for bale wrapping with PCR content
Coveris has unveiled a new stretch film for silage bale wrapping, Unterland R, which contains at least 30% recyclate from collected agricultural films.
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Why should nanoplastics be included in existing regulatory frameworks?
With growing awareness of the environmental and health implications of nanoplastics – plastics smaller than 1000 nanometres in size – an article recently published by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland in Environmental Science & Technology has addressed regulatory concerns related to ‘intentionally produced nanoplastics’.
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University team develops ‘shape-shifting’ pasta technology to enhance packaging efficiency
A team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed dried pasta sheets that transform into larger pasta shapes when placed in boiling water, an innovation that they say will save on packaging size and space.
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Amcor initiative to offer seed funding for innovative packaging start-ups
Amcor has today announced the launch of Amcor Lift-Off, an open-call initiative aimed at supporting seed stage start-ups that are focused on innovative packaging solutions with an investment of US$250,000 for winners and optional guidance for scaling ideas.
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Unilever switches ice cream brand to paper tubs and lids
Carte D’Or, part of the Unilever brand Wall’s, will transition its entire range of ice cream from plastic to paper tubs and lids, which can be placed in household paper recycling streams once the non-recyclable plastic seal is removed.
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Sustainability Perspectives: Introducing H.B. Fuller’s Global Sustainability Manager
Elisabeth Staab, H.B. Fuller’s newly appointed Global Sustainability Manager shares their strategy, initiatives and challenges.
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The fight for raw materials has only just begun
As industries such as construction, manufacturing and fashion start to seek recycled polymer content and biomaterials, thus competing directly with packaging manufacturers, where is it all going to come from? This is the question posed by Paul Foulkes-Arellano, founder of Circuthon Consulting, in an exclusive opinion piece.
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'It felt exciting and doable': WWF on nations committing to develop a global agreement for plastics
Head of plastic waste and business at the organization says the scope of the outcome exceeded expectations.
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SYSTEMIQ: European plastics system will need to make use of emerging technologies to meet circularity goals
According to a new report by SYSTEMIQ, the current measures being taken to adapt the European plastics system will not be enough to meet agreed climate goals, circularity policies, and the European Green Deal. The report emphasises the need to develop less mature pathways, such as green hydrogen, chemical recycling, and carbon capture, to support existing measures.
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The Ellen MacArthur Foundation reports on ‘specific and urgent actions’ needed to meet flexible packaging goals
A new report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation covers the “urgent actions” required by both businesses and policymakers to facilitate the transition to a circular economy for flexible packaging – with an intensification of measures needed across the flexibles value chain if it is to meet some of the targets already set.
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The company combining replace, reduce, recycle and reuse in one material
Refour’s RE-4 monomaterial is formed of air, minerals, and around 20-30% PP and can be recycled in public waste streams along with other plastics. We spoke to Torben Andersen, CEO of Refour, and Ida Feltendahl Frimer, marketing manager at Refour, about how the RE-4 material could act as an alternative to a range of non-circular paper, plastic, and mixed material packaging.
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Creating a framework for the designers of the circular economy
When Joe Iles joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the framework of the circular economy was still in its infancy. Now, this model has become much more central to the way that businesses and consumers operate, and the Foundation has been at the centre of that transition.
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Aptar and PureCycle reach ‘testing milestone’ with Ultra-Pure Recycled plastic for hinged closures
Aptar says it has been able to convert a prototype material containing PureCycle’s Ultra-Pure Recycled (UPR) plastic into multiple colours of hinged closures with performances similar to conventional resin.