Packaging Producers

Environment Secretary Michael Gove
‘All-in’ deposit return scheme has Gove’s support

Novamont’s Mater-Bi bioplastic confirmed as fully marine biodegradable
Novamont’s Mater-Bi bioplastic confirmed as fully marine biodegradable

Research has established that Novamont’s compostable bioplastic Mater-Bi is fully biodegradable in the marine environment within four to 12 months.

An image of a paper coffee cup on the ground
The climate impact of a coffee cup

Paper coffee cups can have a lower carbon footprint than reusable cups, especially if they are recycled, according to life cycle research commissioned by packaging manufacturer Huhtamaki.

WRAP publishes list of plastic items to be eliminated by end of 2020
WRAP publishes list of plastic items to be eliminated by end of 2020
By
Rob Cole
| 26 June 2019 |
Members of the UK Plastics Pact have committed to removing eight problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic items from shelves by the end of 2020 and have identified a further 19 items to take action against by 2025, though campaigners say the industry’s approach is “inadequate”.
Undetectable black packaging to be cut by 66 per cent by 2020
Undetectable black plastic packaging to be cut by 66 per cent by 2020
By
Rob Cole
| 25 June 2019 |
The amount of undetectable black packaging coming to market is expected to be cut by 66 per cent by the end of 2019 due to efforts to reduce the amount of black plastic used in packaging and developments in detectable pigments and sorting equipment, says industry report.
No PRN compliance fee before 2020, says ACP
No PRN compliance fee before 2020, says ACP
By
Rob Cole
| 24 June 2019 |
The Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP) has stated that some form of packaging compliance fee could be introduced in 2020, but that the tight legislative timetable would preclude its introduction in 2019.
Recycled content: Let's talk about tax
Recycled content: Let's talk about tax
By
Rob Cole
| 18 June 2019 |
Domestic markets for recycled plastics are struggling to take hold, with policy-makers scratching their heads over how to stimulate demand. Rob Cole examines the government’s proposed 'plastics tax' and asks whether it will achieve its desired outcome
Mixed plastic bottles and packaging
PRN ‘crisis’ as UK could miss packaging recycling targets
By
Kate Dickinson
| 17 June 2019 |
The Packaging Scheme Forum has warned of a looming crisis in the packaging recycling industry, with the price of Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) for plastic rising while recycling rates drop. Could a packaging compliance fee be the solution?
Crushed and baled aluminium cans
Aluminium can recycling boost announced at Resourcing the Future
By
Kate Dickinson
| 14 June 2019 |
Three out of four aluminium cans were recycled in the UK in 2018, Rick Hindley of Alupro announced at the Resourcing the Future conference this week.
MPs call for immediate action on plastic packaging
MPs call for immediate action on plastic packaging
By
Rob Cole
| 5 June 2019 |
MPs are calling for immediate action to introduce an extended producer responsibility regime for packaging based on the ‘polluter pays’ principle.
WRAP applauds progress made by UK Plastics Pact members
WRAP applauds progress made by UK Plastics Pact members
By
Rob Cole
| 22 May 2019 |
WRAP has released a progress report detailing the steps taken by members of the UK Plastics Pact to tackle plastics pollution, including removing black plastic packaging and replacing plastic cutlery and straws.
Victoria Hutchin headshot
Who's really responsible for litter?
By
Victoria Hutchin
| 21 May 2019 |
Victoria Hutchin, Associate Waste & Resource Management Consultant at WYG, assesses how extended producer responsibility reforms could impact how we deal with litter.
Packaging industry calls for joined-up approach to waste policy
Packaging industry calls for joined-up approach to waste policy
By
Rob Cole
| 16 May 2019 |
Key stakeholders from across the packaging supply chain have written to Environment Secretary Michael Gove to outline their priorities for the next stage of delivery of the Resources and Waste Strategy.
Image of baled waste plastic bottles
Wales launches £6.5m fund to boost use of recycled materials
By
Kate Dickinson
| 30 April 2019 |
The Welsh Government has announced its £6.5 million Circular Economy Fund, aiming to drive Wales towards its 2025 recycling target of 70 per cent.
Carbios' enzyme technology reduces PET plastic waste to its original building blocks.
Global firms back enzyme plastic waste solution
By
Rob Cole
| 30 April 2019 |
In a world first, key global stakeholders including Nestlé and PepsiCo are backing new enzymatic technology in a bid to boost the recyclability of PET plastic products.
Evian to pilot recycled home water dispenser
Evian to pilot recycled home water dispenser
By
Rob Cole
| 29 April 2019 |
Mineral water brand Evian is set to launch a new in-home water dispenser that it says will result in a significant reduction in plastic packaging.
Southeast Asian communities flooded with plastic waste since China ban
Southeast Asian communities flooded with plastic waste since China ban
By
Rob Cole
| 25 April 2019 |
A report by Greenpeace and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives critiques the “inefficient” and “predatory” system of plastic waste exports from wealthy countries to communities in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. 
A stack of mixed waste packaging
What should producer responsibility reform look like?
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 April 2019 |
The government is consulting on reforms to the UK’s packaging producer responsibility regime. So what are Defra’s proposals for a new system and how have businesses responded so far? Ecosurety and SUEZ comment.
The new cardboard Guinness case
Guinness to replace plastic six pack rings with cardboard
By
Kate Dickinson
| 15 April 2019 |
Diageo, parent company of Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s beers, has pledged to remove plastic rings from its multipacks of cans as part of a drive to reduce plastic waste.
European Parliament votes to ban single-use plastics
European Parliament votes to ban single-use plastics
By
Rob Cole
| 28 March 2019 |
MEPs in the European Parliament have approved plans to ban some single-use plastic products and increase the collection and recycling of plastic bottles, with legislation to be implemented in member states by 2021.
UK recycling infrastructure struggles to cope
UK recycling infrastructure struggles to cope
By
Kate Dickinson
| 22 March 2019 |
The UK will not be able to meet its 2035 recycling targets without sweeping change, according to a new report from packaging producer DS Smith.
TOMRA e-book on the benefits of using 100 per cent recycled plastics
TOMRA e-book on the benefits of using 100 per cent recycled plastics
By
TOMRA
| 20 March 2019 |
TOMRA Sorting Recycling has published a new e-book on the viability of using 100 per cent recycled plastics in goods production.
Faerch aims to replace hard-to-recycle black plastic in three years
Faerch aims to replace hard-to-recycle black plastic in three years
By
Rob Cole
| 5 March 2019 |
Swiss food packaging manufacturer Faerch has announced the introduction of a new product family that it says could replace all carbon black-based colours of CPET ready-meal packaging in the UK within three years.