PakTech uses injection molding equipment and blow-molding-grade material, as well as modular equipment designs, for cost and speed efficiency. | Marissa Heffernan/Resource Recycling
Extended producer responsibility programs, labeling requirements and minimum PCR mandates offer both challenges and opportunities, and company leaders at 100% PCR packaging manufacturer PakTech have been steadily working to position the company for the future. Continue Reading
In North America, Mondelez is looking to put up to 50% RPET in cookie trays, including its Oreo packaging. | Steve Cukrov/Shutterstock
Two big food brands and an eco-conscious apparel company reported on their use of plastic resins recently, with Mondelez and General Mills reporting a focus on reducing the use of plastic packaging and transitioning to mono-material packaging, respectively. Continue Reading
California began requiring beverage manufacturers to report their annual virgin and recycled resin use beginning in 2018. | DonPablo Lorez/Shutterstock
Newly released data shows many major bottlers increased their post-consumer PET use in beverage containers sold into California last year, surpassing the state’s 15% minimum recycled content mandate for that year and putting them on track to hit the expanded mandate for 2025. Continue Reading
With its latest sustainability report, Walmart became the latest mega-brand to announce it was unlikely to meet its voluntary commitments for plastics. | Harun Ozmen/Shutterstock
With the arrival of the benchmark year of 2025, two industry giants announced challenges and progress in meeting the ambitious plastics-related goals set for this year. Continue Reading
Attendees ‘break a bale,’ learning about how textiles are sorted for recycling and reuse during a session at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Big Wave Photography/Resource Recycling
About 2,400 industry professionals participated in the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference just outside of Washington, D.C., talking business in the exhibit hall and listening to sessions on textile recovery and broader plastics procurement and policy. Continue Reading
Billions of small-format plastic items are produced each year but are lost to landfills or incinerators across the board. | Golden Shrimp/Shutterstock
Editor’s note: Learn more about plastic recycling trends and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland. Continue Reading
Colorado’s extended producer responsibility for packaging program is slated to fully roll out in 2026. | AustralianCamera/Shutterstock
Circular Action Alliance submitted its initial extended producer responsibility plan to Colorado’s advisory board, taking another step on the state’s path to implementation. Continue Reading
The Coca‑Cola Company eliminated its goals around reusable packaging and virgin plastic reduction. | StudioPortoSabbia/Shutterstock
The Coca‑Cola Company has rolled back its voluntary sustainability goals, decreasing some and eliminating others, following the growing number of big brands announcing they will not meet often-ambitious 2025 or 2030 targets.
The largest brand owners in the world together used an average of 14% post-consumer resin in their packaging last year, a 2 percentage point increase over 2022. | Photka/Shutterstock
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s 2023 report indicated a year-over-year decrease in both virgin and overall plastic use from signatory companies. That came from companies incorporating more post-consumer resin, combined with lower overall consumer demand due to economic challenges.
Packaging suppliers including TC Transcontinental, Tetra Pak, Amcor and Orbis shared insights on incorporating PCR at the 2024 Pack Expo International in Chicago. | Antoinette Smith/Resource Recycling
The broad theme of sustainability was a central focus at Pack Expo International in Chicago this week, encompassing package recyclability, PCR content and legislation. Continue Reading