Sustainable Packaging

Studies show industry embraces sustainability

John Kalkowski, February 1, 2012

Can it be any surprise that 31 percent of companies say their sustainability practices now contribute to their profitability, or that 70 percent of companies have placed sustainability permanently on their management agendas? Those facts are among the results of a survey of 2,800 corporate leaders recently completed by MIT Sloan Management Review and the Boston Consulting Group.
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New Schick Xtreme3 Eco uses landfill-bound materials in product, package
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, February 1, 2012
The new Schick Xtreme3 Eco disposable razor uses 100 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic in the production of its handle and 100 percent PCR paper in its packaging. "For many years we wanted to launch a more sustainable razor," says Mike O'Malley, director of program management and sustainability for Schick. "We overcame many challenges along the way, like making sure the packaging gave us the quality look, perforation resistance and sealing capacity to hold up to the rigors of shipping." More
Sustainability in Packaging speaker addresses producer responsibility
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, February 1, 2012
Betsy Dorn of StewardEdge USA Inc. will be sharing her views on producer responsibility at the 6th annual Sustainability in Packaging conference, scheduled March 12-14 in Orlando. More
AMERIPEN executive director to address Sustainability in Packaging conference
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 31, 2012
Newly appointed to the position of executive director, Joan Pierce will be discussing extended producer responsibility at Sustainability in Packaging 2012, scheduled March 12-14 in Orlando. More
Windex Mini refill pouch wins new-product award
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 31, 2012
Better Homes and Gardens has bestowed a Best New Product Award on the SC Johnson-owned product. The concentrated refill pouch uses 90 percent less plastic than a full-size trigger bottle. More
Be Green Packaging releases 2011 Sustainability Report
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 31, 2012
The company's latest report offers insight into its far-reaching sustainability efforts. Highlights include providing client education on its line of compostable foodservice packaging products. More
Coca-Cola issues sustainability report
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 31, 2012
The beverage giant's four primary target areas are sustainable packaging, water stewardship, energy efficiency/climate protection and healthy communities. More
Sealed Air, Ecovative to commercialize sustainable packaging
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 27, 2012
The companies are joining forces to bring to market EcoCradle Mushroom packaging, a fungus-based sustainable packaging material. More
Increasing takeout orders boosts packaging consumption
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 27, 2012
A recent survey indicates consumers increasingly are ordering restaurant food to go—which means increased opportunities for packaging manufacturers. More
Safco and UPS deliver eco responsible packaging to dental practices
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 25, 2012
Dental products supplier Safco partnered with UPS to optimize its shipment packaging for damage prevention, right sizing and materials content. As a result, its package damage rate decreased by more than 50 percent, and the company becomes the first in the U.S. to be certified under the UPS's Eco Responsible Packaging Program. More
P&G to eliminate PVC packaging
Heather Caliendo, January 24, 2012
Procter & Gamble is working to eliminate PVC from all of its packaging, starting with putting its Oral-B toothbrushes in a pack made with Octal's DPET sheet. More
Funding helps advance flexible packaging recycling
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 20, 2012
Enval has secured funding for commercialization of technology to recycle plastic and aluminium laminate packaging. The company says backing from firms like Kraft and Nestle will help it launch its first commercial plant in mid-2012. More
PP food containers preserve oxygen barrier after retort
Lisa McTigue Pierce, Editor, January 19, 2012
New REVOH technology reduces oxygen ingress by more than 30 percent in thermoformed containers immediately after retort, extending a food's shelf life (among other benefits). More
PLA melt-strength enhancer
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 19, 2012
A new melt-strength enhancer in masterbatch form increases the pull force that can be applied to PLA by 300 to 500 percent over a range of drawdown ratios, making possible higher throughputs in extrusion and thermoforming while reducing scrap rates, the company states. More
Archer Daniels ends joint venture with Metabolix
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 18, 2012
Archer Daniels Midland Co. is ending a biodegradable plastics joint venture with Metabolix Inc. because of the venture's cost and uncertainty about its returns. More
Die-cutting technology
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 17, 2012
New ThinStream die-cutting technology allows the die-cutting of labels with a liner as thin as 12-microns, half of the current minimum in the market. The technology also eliminates die strikes, one of the industry's top quality concerns, the company states. More
‘Polybags have to go,' says apparel industry exec
Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 17, 2012
Chase Mueller, footwear operations manager for Brooks Sports, gives a preview of what he'll talk about during his presentation at the Sustainability in Packaging 2012 conference. Better end-of-life options and a move away from the single-use disposable package are among the trends he sees in sustainable apparel packaging. More
PACKAGING BRIEFS Tuesday, January 17
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 17, 2012
People, services, awards and news impacting the packaging industry. More
Replenish cleaner/refill wins VIP Award from Good Housekeeping
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 12, 2012
Replenish Multi-Purpose Cleaner and its innovative refill bottle/pod system is one of just eight products honored with the VIP Award (Very Innovative Product) from Good Housekeeping magazine. More
Demand for compostable certifications drives BPI to outsource verification
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 12, 2012
To handle a five-fold increase in compostable product certifications, the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) has announced that its successful "Compostable Logo" effort will be administered by NSF International (Ann Arbor, MI) beginning in January 2012. More