Repeal of foam packaging ban sought

Shaw’s Supermarkets is asking the town of Freeport, ME, to change its 14-year-old ban on plastic foam packaging in retail stores. Shaw’s is opening a supermarket in an area covered by the ban and said the ban hampers the chain’s ability to provide safe meat.

Shaw’s has been asked to provide information about what alternatives to foam packaging it has considered and their impact on the company.

The ban was imposed in 1989 after local school children raised concerns about the environmental impact of foam packaging on the environment. Their initial target was McDonald’s. Shaw’s is the first company to challenge the ban.

Annual Outlook Report: Workforce
Hiring remains a major challenge in packaging, with 78% struggling to fill unskilled roles and 84% lacking experienced workers. As automation grows, companies must rethink hiring and training. Download the full report for key insights.
Download Now
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Looking for CPG-focused digital transformation solutions? Download our editor-curated list from PACK EXPO featuring top companies offering warehouse management, ERP, digital twin, and MES software with supply chain visibility and analytics capabilities—all tailored specifically for CPG operations.
Download Now
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO