Packaging

Steel for Packaging Europe has confirmed the highest ever EU recycling rate for steel packaging, bringing the steel packaging sector even closer to fully closing the material loop.

Currently, there are no standardized procedures to comprehensively assess these risks. The SAFEREUSE project, funded by IVACE+i and the ERDF, ensures food safety and consumer health protection. The methodology will provide a system to help market surveillance authorities, manufacturers, and retailers ensure that reusable packaging meets required safety standards.

Building on the world’s first “open‐managed” reuse system for hot and cold drink cups in Aarhus, Denmark, Tomra Reuse this week unveiled a Reuse Collection Point (RCP) capable of handling food packaging for the first time.

The new Horizon Europe-funded GRECO project provides innovative biobased, biodegradable and recyclable food packaging based on novel PLA copolymers, functional coatings, additives and green catalysts. GRECO aims to demonstrate the life cycle and techno-economic feasibility of greener and safer bioplastics value chains for the food packaging sector, based on a safe and sustainable-by-design strategy.

If all plastic packaging in Stockholm households were sorted correctly, residents could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40,000 tonnes per year. This corresponds to half of the fossil emissions generated by household waste. Now, an innovative project in Hammarby Sjöstad is showing how this can become a reality.

Clothing, fashion accessories and cosmetics are some of the worst performing product categories when it comes to consumer perceptions about how effectively they are tackling the amount and recyclability of packaging used in the UK. This is according to new research by Aquapak, which specialises in developing high performance, environmentally safe materials to reduce plastic pollution and improve recycling,

The growing volume of packaging waste has evolved into a significant global issue, with estimates showing that up to 91% of this material ends up in landfill or incinerators. This leads to underutilised resources and increased CO2 emissions. A portion of the remaining waste contaminates the environment, contributing to plastic pollution, the degradation of ecosystems, and even entering the food chain in the form of microplastics.

Member States must step up efforts to ensure the EU meets its packaging waste goals, says the NGO group Rethink Plastic alliance. A new report reveals how national and local governments can make the most of the opportunities provided by the EU’s new packaging rules.

Nextek and Coveris have announced a partnership to transform the mechanical recycling of flexible films with the COtooCLEAN process Together, they aim to convert post-consumer polyolefin (PE & PP) packaging waste into high-quality food-grade recycled resins and films.

Consumers do not think that UK retailers and brands are doing enough to reduce the use of plastic packaging. According to new research by Aquapak, 65% felt that they were falling short when it comes to cutting harmful plastic, with just 18% saying they are doing enough.

The implemented Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Romania has exceeded expectations, reflecting the increasing commitment of citizens to contribute actively to a greener future.