
Hot News in Plastic Packaging Sustainability

The amount of news related to sustainable packaging developments is overwhelming.
In fact, the majority of content posted at PlasticsToday involves sustainability in some way. Yet there are as many features we publish as there are opportunities for more.
That’s the idea behind this regularly updated newsfeed of Tweets that center on plastics’ recycling, bioplastics, and other closely related news, issues, and innovations surrounding circularity for plastic packaging.
“Compostable plastics like PLA do generally compost under the right circumstances. But contrary to what you might think, just because it composts, doesn’t mean a product is automatically green.”https://t.co/TvvSgqsXpv
— 5 Gyres (@5gyres) August 18, 2021
Cornell researchers created long chains of a polymer with high molecular weight and high tensile strength, resulting in a recyclable thermoplastic that is strong and flexible enough to be used for large-scale applications such as packaging products. https://t.co/cJT064POSG
— Steven D. Ritchey (@NonProfitSteve) August 16, 2021
#Microplastics are proliferating nearly everywhere on earth, even in the most remote parts of the planet where human activity is practically non-existent. Where are they really coming from? https://t.co/4a2ELzsHq9
— PlasticsToday (@plasticstoday) July 27, 2021
When @whitworths Ltd asked for support in developing recyclable pouches for their delicious Evening Snacks range, we were extremely keen to share our pouch making and sustainable packaging expertise. Read the full story here:https://t.co/C43MyVT3mF
— FFP Packaging Solutions (@FFP_Packaging) July 20, 2021
BREAKING: The governor of Maine has signed into law extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging. This is the first EPR law in the U.S. that will hold packaging producers financially responsible for funding recycling of their products.https://t.co/0ugSDTs8Lb
— Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) (@APRrecycles) July 13, 2021
New to our Innovation Zone – Thetford, UK packaging producer Camvac have recently developed a new post-consumer recycled (PCR) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) clear barrier film called ExtraPET PCR. #packaging pic.twitter.com/mKXZCSJvms
— ThePackHub: Packaging innovation experts (@ThePackHub) July 12, 2021
30 Fixes: A government-convened commission of California #recycling stakeholders has outlined steps to boost markets and cut contamination. But the group’s report also leaves PP plastic off a key initial list of accepted materials, drawing quick pushback. https://t.co/uilVck7Xf5 pic.twitter.com/YjdArbsTJx
— Resource Recycling (@rrecycling) July 8, 2021
A Milan-based design agency has taken discarded orange peels and transformed them into a completely natural and compostable biopolymer used to 3D print its new lamp. Via @WiredUK https://t.co/M8M3AC6Wk2
— WIRED (@WIRED) July 5, 2021
So excited to share with you all, @gladproducts most sustainable trash bags yet! Made with 50% recovered materials (*20% recycled plastic and 30% reclaimed plastic (see side panel for more details) pic.twitter.com/WWmnEQcM6F
— Valentina Nazareth (@sunflowerval_) June 28, 2021
In 2019, @WRAP_UK estimated that flexible film contributed to 290,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste.
It’s great to read news that @sainsburys new flexible plastic recycling system will significantly cut the amount of plastic going to landfilll. https://t.co/hrPc7GArLB
— NRC (@UKNRC) June 28, 2021
Researchers from @UnivRoma3 are developing bioplastic wine bottles that can be popped in your organic waste collection or, possibly, your home compost. https://t.co/yy5riEjIQj
— The Academic Times (@AcademicTimes) June 1, 2021
As part of our Pathway to Circularity Initiative, we convened the Circularity Council to assess what actions must take place to help the U.S. #recycling system accept more packaging. Learn more about how we are catalyzing a #circulareconomy. https://t.co/plcdJYOQHL
— RecyclingPartnership (@RECYPartnership) May 13, 2021
Read the latest scientific breakthrough – a super enzyme that eats away at plastic waste and will increase the #sustainability of plastics while maintaining the economic benefits they provide: https://t.co/XS0Q7lX5fx
— This Is Plastics (@ThisIsPlastics) April 28, 2021
On #WorldEarthDay2021 we celebrate Tarmac Dunbar playing an important role in a UK first for sustainable plastic packaging. We are the first major cement manufacturer to move to 50 per cent recycled plastic in our packaging with new all-weather, fully recyclable bags. pic.twitter.com/9nRlUUl5CM
— Tarmac Dunbar (@DunbarCement) April 22, 2021
NOVA Chemicals is excited to announce the debut of our first three PCR resins. The 100% PE-PCR grades are ideal for a wide range of flexible film applications and are backed by our industry-leading technical support. Read more here: https://t.co/hsJaxHegEF
— NOVA Chemicals (@NOVAChemicals) April 6, 2021
India Fishermen Divert Their Catch of Ocean Plastic So it Can Be Used to Rebuild Roads
It requires the #plastic equivalent of a million shopping bags per km of road, while replacing 1 ton of emissions-heavy asphalt & reducing road costs by about 9%.https://t.co/l5aHaHMec5
— Good News Network (@goodnewsnetwork) April 6, 2021
We’re switching from plastic to reusable fruit and veg bag at all our stores. The reusable bags are 30p each and are made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles. The initiative will remove 101m pieces of single use plastic each year: https://t.co/woK2xinOka pic.twitter.com/KzZbl5dvNN
— Asda (@asda) March 22, 2021
By July 2022, Australia hopes to have phased out noncompostable plastic packaging and polystyrene used in loose and molded forms. By the following December, polystyrene food packaging and PVC packaging labels will also have been phased out. @guardian https://t.co/zCwBiEoesY
— Environmental Health Perspectives (@EHPonline) March 10, 2021
Research Questions Bioplastics’ Sustainability
New model points to carbon footprints exceeding previous estimateshttps://t.co/3XegllGhX4— Chemical Processing (@Chem_Processing) March 1, 2021
“It is imperative to understand that the vision of a circular economy can only be realized by deeming used plastic a resource and not a waste,” says Rachel Meidl of @BakerInstitute. We couldn’t agree more! https://t.co/2cqrs07etF
— Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) (@PLASTICS_US) February 24, 2021
We’re pleased to announce the trial of our new innovative Polypropylene (PP) film recycling system, currently the largest PP trial in the UK supermarket industry and aimed to make recycling plastic packaging easier for customers. For more info, see here: https://t.co/Z5WtQF4N1b
— Sainsbury’s News (@SainsburysNews) February 18, 2021
In short, use tethered caps:
“Fortunately, the brands that put all that potential trash into the world are also perfectly positioned to close the understanding gap” through better design and on-pack messaging.
Design for recycling:https://t.co/BiklroQ48V
Read more:https://t.co/K9rGcKqXy7
— Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) (@APRrecycles) February 16, 2021
Efforts by the Chinese government and local associations to speed up the development of a circular economy have strengthened domestic #plastic #recycling. This is pushing the recycled plastics market forward, with both opportunities and challenges emerging.
— Rabobank F&A (@RaboFoodAgri) February 3, 2021
Our last speaker interview for Chemical Recycling USA features Jocelyn Doucet from Pyrowave Inc. and David Sudolsky from Anellotech Inc. with insight into the impact of Covid-19, the future of recycling and sustainability, and more. Read it here: https://t.co/Ytqf8sITgt pic.twitter.com/yXcFsfxK46
— AMI (@Contact_AMI) February 4, 2021
We are partner of the European project @EFFECTIVE_BIO aimed at demonstrating the innovative and economically viable routes for the production of bio-based polyamides and polyesters from renewable feedstocks to obtain fibers and films. Discover more: https://t.co/uac2zkuEfM
— Novamont (@Novamont) January 25, 2021
Introducing Vertical Roots new #packaging design: Reduces plastic usage over 30%, made of 100% post-consumer #recycled PET/PETE plastic, and features patented micro-perforated resealable film that increases shelf life. And it doesn’t look too shabby either pic.twitter.com/ph546Ju0T3
— Vertical Roots (@verticalroots) January 25, 2021
Sustainable packaging innovation “works by creating a unique pattern in the sidewalls of a thermoformed container.”
In China we’re piloting 20 AI-enabled machines that automatically identify, sort and store plastic packaging to ensure its speedy return into the circular economy. https://t.co/eHrmaSKNhO
— Unilever #StaySafe (@Unilever) January 9, 2021
Axilone and Eastman are teaming up to make your sustainability goals a reality right now! Using 50% certified recycled content from Eastman’s molecular recycling process, Axilone is able to produce a wide range of luxury cosmetics packaging. Read more at: https://t.co/9jqFBWsVwp pic.twitter.com/FG9CwNCeoC
— Eastman Chemical Co. (@EastmanChemCo) January 6, 2021
Four materials recovery facilities in the eastern half of the U.S. will begin sorting polypropylene with financial assistance from major brands, retailers and other industry members brought together through @RECYPartnership https://t.co/jaERK1lrcr
— Resource Recycling (@rrecycling) December 9, 2020
Seems obvious now, doesn’t it?
Two organizations that focus on cleaning up ocean plastic are selling goods made from ocean plastic, so that’s a … good thing. And potentially a clever gift!
Wearing Ocean Plastic On Your Face And Keeping Some In Your Pocket (Or Purse) https://t.co/0sL8ehJZ38
— TIPA-Corp (@TIPACorp) November 16, 2020
We’re accelerating our efforts on sustainable packaging to build a world where plastic never becomes waste. Today, we announced that we’ll be using 100% rPET in our beverage bottles – by the end of 2021 in Germany; in Great Britain by the end of 2022https://t.co/yEkTo8SMtQ pic.twitter.com/xGVtPionkk
— PepsiCoEU (@PepsiCoEU) October 20, 2020
California has taken an historic step to combat plastic pollution with a first-in-the-nation law requiring new water, soda, and other beverage bottles to contain 50 percent recycled plastic by 2030. Read more in our latest blog: https://t.co/jDT4ltPRGf pic.twitter.com/7obyMbjs90
— CalRecycle (@CalRecycle) October 20, 2020
Hot-button topics of ocean plastics, robotics, and 3D printing merge.
Two high school buddies brought together by a natural disaster have designed a system to zap the plastic problem. Their company SeaChange uses state-of-the-art technology to break down microplastics in the ocean and permanently remove them for good. pic.twitter.com/NCHEsWXhvu
— Pattrn (@pattrn) September 23, 2020
HP diverting 92,000 plastic bottles from oceans and landfills.
Strawless lids are launching at Starbucks stores across the U.S. and Canada. These recyclable, lightweight lids require less plastic and are expected to eliminate up to 1 billion straws globally each year. Learn more: https://t.co/Wyu4wmF6AA
— Starbucks News (@StarbucksNews) September 10, 2020
Oceanium is developing marine-safe, home compostable bio-packaging materials and food products made from sustainably-farmed seaweed. Their aim is to enable a sustainable seaweed farming industry to mitigate climate change. https://t.co/EkdryfOH8V
— reuse it! (@notosingleuse) September 10, 2020
Congratulations @LyondellBasell on the start of your new advanced recycling plant. The ability to convert plastic waste into feedstock for other products is a step toward reducing plastic waste and improving sustainability. https://t.co/BypVDUeh1k
— American Chemistry (@AmChemistry) September 8, 2020
Recycling centers have also seen a huge increase in PPE being mixed in with recyclables. Recycling items like face masks, rubber gloves and face shields can be a health risk to workers at the recycling plant https://t.co/ILk0Agxlrr
— KMOX St. Louis News (@kmoxnews) September 8, 2020
Let’s continue to recognize our Graham Recycling Center, which is celebrating its 30th year of operations this month! Over the past 30 years, the center has diverted approximately 1.5 billion pounds of plastic containers from landfills. #recycling pic.twitter.com/rvYGXGkz6Y
— Graham Packaging (@grahampackaging) September 8, 2020
Clever kid!
My sons HSC design project: sort plastics for recycling using the existing barcode already on the item. Battery powered laser scanner & arduino. (pretty cool!) pic.twitter.com/cM8jDTFAun
— Simon Monk (@SimonMonk) September 5, 2020
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