December 25, 2024
CORPORATE ACTION: Coca-Cola
Coke Accused Of Burying Bad News On Reuse Targets
Coca-Cola is being criticized for quietly abandoning its pledge to achieve 25% reusable packaging by 2030. It seems to have dropped its 2022 commitment without formal announcement and removed it from its public sustainability pages. Environmental advocates Break Free from Plastic argues that Coca-Cola's move is a major setback in the global push to reduce plastic waste and said: “If they can’t even keep their low-bar commitments, how can they claim to be serious about addressing the global plastic crisis?” [Image Credit: © The Coca‑Cola Company]
CORPORATE ACTION: Unilever
Global Plastic Treaty Progressed, Critical Issues Remain
Unilever’s Ed Shepherd highlights recent progress in negotiations toward a UN treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution. While a binding global agreement remains elusive, a middle-ground approach on key issues like eliminating harmful plastics and regulating production gained traction. However, uncertainty persists around crucial elements like Extended Producer Responsibility and the treaty's scope. Unilever calls for robust, mandatory global rules to effectively reduce plastic waste and drive sustainable change. Another round, next year, is possible for countries most committed to finalizing stronger commitments.[Image Credit: © Brian Yurasits on Unsplash]
CORPORATE ACTION: Whole Foods
Whole Foods Refill Stations Cut Plastic Waste
Whole Foods introduced refill stations at select California stores, allowing shoppers to reduce plastic waste and save money. Powered by Wonderfil’s "smart" technology, the stations let customers refill containers with Dr. Bronner's fair trade organic soap, avoiding single-use plastic bottles. Refilling saves consumers 13 percent compared to buying new bottles, and those without containers can purchase reusable ones made from post-consumer plastic. [Image Credit: © SANTA CRUZ WORKS]
CORPORATE ACTION: Other
Ocado Expands Reusable Packaging For Online Orders
Ocado Retail, which already introduced reusable packaging for staples like rice and pasta, is expanding the scheme to laundry products. Customers receive products in reusable containers, which they return at subsequent deliveries. Launched in partnership with the UK Refill Coalition, the scheme aims to create scalable industry-wide standards for reuse in online retail. [Image Credit: © Ocado Retail Limited]
CAMPAIGNS, COMMITMENTS & NGOs
US Plastics Pact Advances Circular Economy Goals
US Plastics Pact’s 2023-2024 Impact Report highlights progress toward reducing plastic waste through circular economy initiatives. Achievements include eliminating problematic materials, raising sustainable packaging adoption to 50 percent and increasing post-consumer recycled content to 11 percent. Key innovations include Eastman’s molecular recycling facility and Kraft Heinz’s transition to recyclable paperboard, but the report underscores the need for federal policies like standardized recycling definitions and extended producer responsibility programs to scale infrastructure and advance circularity. [Image Credit: © U.S. Plastics Pact]
Paris 2024 Olympics Reduces Single-Use Plastic
Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games significantly reduced plastic waste by cutting single-use plastic in drinks distribution by 52 percent, including a 70 percent drop in single-use bottles compared to London 2012. Measures included reusable packaging, free water fountains and extensive public awareness campaigns, with 80 percent of spectators bringing refillable bottles. 79 percent of waste was recovered or avoided, and greenhouse gas emissions were 54.6 percent lower. There has been criticism about certain of the reuse practices, such as the use of single-use bottles for refills. [Image Credit: © International Olympic Committee]
UK Household Plastic Packaging Collection Data Summary 2024
This year’s UK Household Plastic Packaging Collection Survey reveals key statistics on recycling rates for plastic packaging. In 2023, 43 percent of plastic packaging was collected for recycling, with plastic bottles leading at 65 percent. Plastic film and other flexible packaging remain challenging, with collection rates significantly lower. The report highlights the role of Extended Producer Responsibility and Deposit Return Schemes in improving recycling rates and reducing plastic waste. [Image Credit: © RECycling of Used Plastics Ltd (RECOUP)]
ALLIANCES, PARTNERSHIPS & JVs
Dow and Innventure Partner To Tackle Plastic Waste
Dow and Innventure are collaborating to convert hard-to-recycle plastic waste into petrochemical feedstocks, advancing global plastic waste reduction efforts. Through Refinity, Innventure's new subsidiary for the partnership, they will commercialize thermochemical processes like gasification to produce sustainable chemicals that replace virgin fossil fuels. [Image Credit: © Innventure, LLC]
PACKAGING REDESIGNS
Oasis Launches Recyclable 10L Water Dispenser Bottles In South Africa
Oasis Water introduced what it claims is South Africa’s first fully recyclable 10L PET dispenser bottles. Part of Oasis’s “Water Exchange” program, the bottles are designed for high recyclability. Oasis Water’s efforts align with rising plastic recycling rates in South Africa. Oasis Water will undertake further research next year to transition its 20L bottles to PET.[Image Credit: © Oasis Water (Pty) Ltd]
Origami Packaging To Reduce Plastic Waste
A project led by Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre introduced origami-inspired cardboard packaging as an alternative to plastic and expanded polystyrene. This innovation transforms paperboard into flexible, lightweight and durable designs using automated folding techniques inspired by traditional origami and should appeal to industries like cosmetics, luxury goods and e-commerce. Currently in a pilot phase with industry partners, commercial rollout could be in 3-5 years. [Image Credit: © VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd]
POLICY, REGULATION & LEGAL
FDA's New Focus On Packaging Chemicals Under Trump
The FDA's oversight of food packaging chemicals could shift under the new administration, with Marty Makary's likely appointment to head the agency, there could potentially be stricter scrutiny of harmful substances. While the focus is on food additives, packaging materials could also face re-evaluation, particularly recycled plastics, which may undergo more rigorous post-market reviews. Environmental advocates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have expressed interest in reforming plastic regulations, including eliminating harmful chemicals in packaging. [Image Credit: © Food and Drug Administration]
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Biomass Sponge Tackles Microplastic Pollution
Chinese researchers developed a sponge made from cotton cellulose and squid-derived chitin that removes up to 99.8% of microplastics from water. This innovative fibrous foam may offer a low-cost, scalable solution to tackle microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. It captures microplastics through physical and electrostatic mechanisms, maintaining performance across multiple uses. Researchers suggest potential applications in wastewater treatment and household appliances.[Image Credit: © Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash]
Plastic-Free Toothpaste Tablets Could Revolutionize Oral Care
US-based Tidalove launched eco-friendly fluoride toothpaste tablets, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional toothpaste tubes. Packaged in compostable paper refills or reusable tins, the tablets help reduce single-use plastic waste. Compact and ideal for travel, they eliminate clutter and are TSA-approved. [Image Credit: © openPR/Tidalove]
Tree Bark Packaging Revolutionizes Waste Reduction
UK-based Bpacks developed innovative bark-based packaging, offering a 100% home-compostable, sustainable alternative to plastics. It’s compatible with existing manufacturing processes and extends the shelf life of perishable goods by up to 7 days. Partnering with Serbian retailer Gomex, Bpacks is commercializing its eco-friendly solution across 300 stores in Southern Europe and plans to establish a production facility in Spain by 2025 for European and US markets. [Image Credit: © Bpacks]
Paper-Based Packaging Innovations For Sustainable Drinks
Smurfit WestRock is introducing beverage packaging with innovative paper-based solutions aimed at reducing plastic waste. Their paper-based multipacks and carriers, including successful applications for major brands like Liberty Coca-Cola, replaced significant amounts of plastic. The designs maintain functionality while being recyclable and visually appealing.[Image Credit: © Smurfit Westrock]
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