Operational Excellence

Practicality Defines 2026 Packaging

The packaging industry is being driven less by innovation and more by a disciplined, pragmatic focus on cost, labor, risk, and operational realities shaping every major decision.

February 2, 2026

Sustainability: Page 25

Recycling

Community Poll: Focus Areas in Recycling Programs

Answer to see where your peers focus when improving recycling programs.

February 2, 2026

Recycling

FFRA Details Film Recycling Policy, Access Gains in First Impact Report

The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance shares early results from its first Impact Report, highlighting growth in retail drop-off access, progress on California policy, and new efforts to build credible verification systems for film recycling.

January 30, 2026

Sustainable Packaging

A Compliance Expert’s Warning on Europe’s PPWR Deadline

U.S. brands selling into Europe face a new packaging rulebook according to Ferry Vermeulen of 24Hour AR. PPWR requires proof-backed compliance, recycled-content sourcing under the “mirror clause,” and Member State registrations, three steps that could determine EU shelf access.

January 30, 2026

Recycling

Borealis Partners with BlueAlp to Advance Chemical Recycling

The agreement transfers majority ownership of the Renasci plant to BlueAlp while giving Borealis a minority stake to accelerate circular feedstock production in Europe.

January 30, 2026

Sustainability

BlueAlp

January 30, 2026

Reusable/Returnable

Grand Canyon National Park, NOOZ, and Diageo Implement Reusable Packaging to Reduce Waste

ThePackHub

See a few examples of reusable packaging from Grand Canyon National Park, NOOZ, and Diageo from ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone.

January 30, 2026

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

PaperTech Acquires Bake-Best Trays, Expanding Food-focused Sustainable Packaging Platform

Papertech, Inc.

The acquisition of Bake-Best Trays expands PaperTech's pressed paperboard packaging portfolio with ovenable and susceptor-enabled tray solutions.

January 29, 2026

Workforce

U.S. Plastics Pact Names Leadership Change

U.S. Plastics Pact

Jonathan Quinn departs as president and CEO of the U.S. Plastics Pact while Crystal Bayliss is named interim executive director.

January 29, 2026

Recycling

Mastellone Introduces a Pioneering Paperboard-based Cup for Dairy

The company behind the renowned La Serenísima brand has launched its Finlandia spreadable cheese in a pioneering package: a paperboard-based cup with 8% less virgin plastic and a premium aesthetic. This is how the innovative packaging came to life.

January 28, 2026

Containers

Mastellone Hermanos S.A.

January 28, 2026

Bio-based

Carbon Balanced Paper North America Launches Refreshed Brand Identity

Carbon Balanced Paper North America

CBPNA's rebrand aligns with conservation partner World Land Trust’s global rebrand and maintains the program’s mission to balance paper-related carbon emissions through permanent forest conservation.

January 28, 2026

Recycling

Every Can Counts and Open Water Debut Recycling-Themed Cage at Intuit Dome’s L.A. Clippers Plaza

Every Can Counts

The Los Angeles Clippers-themed recycling cage is the first NBA activation for Every Can Counts U.S. and is supported by Open Water.

January 28, 2026