Image: AdobeStock
Sausage wrap that can be recycled
21/07/2022
Sliced sausage is supposed to look good on the refrigerator shelves in the supermarket and is usually wrapped in non-recyclable transparent composite film. Now, thanks to energy-efficient heating systems in thermoforming machines for packaging, it is possible to use more sustainable materials – while maintaining the same level of safety, quality and transparency.
Image: Froneri Finland Oy
Ice cream packaged in mono-material
21/07/2022
Companies continue to ask themselves how they can meet customers' demands for sustainable packaging. Together, Borealis, Froneri and Paccor have found an answer, and are packaging ice cream from the brand Aino in mono-material.
Image: "Mülltrennung wirkt" (waste separation works) initiative / Steffen Jagenburg
Public obligations for recycling: Germany – a good role model?
14/07/2022
In 2019, the Central Agency Packaging Register started its work. Since then, companies that place packaging in circulation must register with it. An amendment to the German Packaging Act led to this requirement being extended to all online retailers and providers of take-away packaging on July 1st, 2022. Is this still reasonable or is this over-regulation?
Photo: Kier In Sight / unsplash
Mono-material sachets
21/06/2022
For packaging made of plastic, their potential to be recycled is very important. Refilling systems save material. Mono-material sachets and bags also reduce the amount of material consumed, protect packaged goods and have practical uses for customers.
Image: Fraunhofer IVV
Rebound Plastic Exchange: New trading platform for recyclates
25.05.2022
Circular economy can only truly work if plastic waste is collected, recycled and reused. To drive international trade with recycled plastic, Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company (IHC) has now established a new trading platform for recyclates with Rebound Plastic Exchange.
Image: Sea Me
Deposit systems for cosmetics packaging?
24/05/2022
On the beverage sector, deposit systems have been around for many years. Now, deposit systems are being introduced specifically for cosmetics packaging as well. A pilot project by Circleback is currently underway in Berlin, while Sea Me has introduced a reusable solution for cosmetics packaging with zerooo.
Image: Greiner Packaging
PCR Coffee Capsules Stay in the Recycling Loop
12/04/2022
For their morning coffee, many consumers choose coffee capsules that then end up in the bin. This is not particularly sustainable, since the capsules consist of new plastics. Greiner Packaging and LyonellBasell have developed a circular solution made of post-consumer recyclates for Nescafé.
Image: Coca-Cola Germany
Coca-Cola keeps its cap on
02/03/2022
Coca-Cola Germany has given its single-use PET bottles new caps. In November 2021, the company introduced caps that are tethered to a safety ring on the necks of their bottles. In doing so, Coca-Cola is implementing a EU directive on plastic products way ahead of time.
Photo: Borealis & Tomra
Goods in short supply but in high demand
10/02/2022
10.02.2022- Although the use of recycled plastics is an important pillar of the circular economy, the recyclate market is nearly empty as of the beginning of 2022. In future, standards are supposed to ensure the availability of a sufficient amount of recyclates with consistent quality in order to supplement new material.
Image: Peter Tubaas, Vestland Media
Fish in packaging made from chemically recycled plastic
04/02/2022
Styropor boxes are a popular choice for transportation, particularly when food or medication need to be kept cool on the road. In Norway, this task is now fulfilled by the world’s first styropor boxes made from chemically recycled plastic.
Photo: Mondi
HolyGrail 2.0 and the digital recycling passport
23/11/2021
High-quality recycling is the be all and end all for a working circular economy. The HolyGrail 2.0 initiative is now testing how invisible digital watermark codes can contribute to increasing efficiency when sorting packaging waste; the project is supported by more than 120 companies and organisations along the entire packaging industry value chain.
Photo: Cosnova / ALBA Group
cosnova implements post-consumer recycled material in packaging for its decorative cosmetics for the first time
25/05/2021
The cosmetics industry is using more and more recycled material for packaging, although government requirements are not yet concrete. In the process, individual manufacturers are developing their own standards and making them available to the entire industry. The use of post-consumer recyclate reduces CO2 production enormously.
In 2011, toom became the first DIY store to introduce emulsion paint in tubs made out of recycled plastic. Photo: toom
Recycled materials in the construction industry
24/03/2021
The construction industry is aiming to become more sustainable and has increased their use of recycled materials in their packaging with the objective of reducing their own CO2 emissions. toom, a DIY giant, was one of the first in the industry to set their sights on implementing recycled materials.
New products made from packaging. Photo: LIDL
New products made from packaging
15/03/2021
Packaging is valuable and should be reused and repurposed as often as possible in line with the ethos of a sustainable circular economy. Thanks to improved recycling technology, more and more new products can be created from packaging, as demonstrated by the discount retailer LIDL.
Photo: L’Oréal
Increasing recycling of cosmetics packaging
12/02/2021
The cosmetics group L’Oréal is striding into the future with new technology and an attention-grabbing recycling campaign with the objective of increasing recycling of cosmetics products and closing loops.
Photo: Metsä Board
Hygienic disposal of masks
27/01/2021
People are wearing masks around the globe. This means we’re also seeing more and more of them littering the streets and the environment all around the world. The packaging specialist Metsä Board has now ensured that there is a hygienic solution for disposing of used masks.
Photo by Evonne Yuwen Teoh //Unsplash
Coca-Cola bottles made out of rPET
14/05/2020
Sweden will soon see the launch of the first Coca-Cola bottles made out of 100% rPET. Other brands produced by the group will also use this fully recycled plastic. The beverage giant has even replaced its sweeping, red-and-white lettering to motivate consumers to recycle the bottles.
© Werner & Mertz
What is reverse engineering?
23/03/2020
Packaging innovations are increasingly based around closed circuits. Engineers are employing the principles of reverse engineering in packaging development. A current and prominent example of this is the stand-up pouch for Frosch liquid soap, produced by Werner & Mertz and Mondi.
© L‘Oréal
Cardboard-based cosmetic packaging
12/02/2020
Many industries are looking for sustainable packaging. Recyclable, organic-based or compostable. The next big trend: A new approach in the cosmetics industry - paper packaging for body care products.
© Vélosophy Cycles AB
Upcycling Nespresso coffee capsules
15/01/2020
Turning waste products into new and useful products is known as upcycling. There are numerous examples: furniture made out of Euro-pallets, toys for children made out of cardboard and bicycles made out of used deodorant cans. Now, Nespresso is showing the world what old coffee capsules can do.
Recycling champion tin plate
06/01/2016
Boasting a recycling percentage of over 90% tinplate again outperformed all competing packaging materials last year. Sheet steel owes its top position first and foremost to its material resistance.