The amount of packaging used in the UK has remained at a near-constant level in the past decade, while the recycling rate more than doubled, figures published by the European Commission have revealed.

via Incpen praises impressive UK recycling effort as rate doubles | packagingnews.co.uk.

Kimberly-Clark Professional (KCP) has launched a new global campaign to persuade its customers that sustainability is about more than just a product’s packaging.

via Sustainability is more than just recycled packaging, says Kimberly-Clark | packagingnews.co.uk.

The Dow Chemical Co., along with coating and laminating equipment manufacturer Nordmeccanica Group, will reveal trial results in new, sustainable flexible packaging at the CPP EXPO in Las Vegas, Oct. 5-7.

Nancy Smith, commercial development manager for Dow Adhesives and Functional Polymers, and Giancarlo Caimmi, vice president of equipment supplier Nordmeccanica, will present samples and data from the groundbreaking sustainable packaging lamination demonstration trial conducted jointly on Earth Day 2009.

via Sustainable flex-pack lamination data to be presented at CPP EXPO – 2009-09-29 14:17:15 MDT | Converting Magazine.

Josh Brooks, packagingnews.co.uk, 24 September 2009

Ireland’s plastic bag tax is to double under new laws expected to be published next month.

The current 22 euro cent tax on every single-use carrier distributed would double to 44 cents, around 40p, under the proposals.

Comment: It’s great to see the Irish government taking initiatives to reduce POS use of plastic bags, but I still believe  that targeting plastic bags is a political stunt that takes everyone’s eyes off the ‘bigger picture’. There are ‘bigger fish to fry’ such as the 30% food waste generated every day by most households, which used huge amounts of energy and resource to grow it, farm it, transport it, package it, take it home, store it in the fridge – only to be thrown away – let’s get a sense of perspective here! Chris Penfold

Read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/ydpcrrn

Simeon Goldstein, packagingnews.co.uk, 25 September 2009

Six UK DIY retailers and brands have signed up to a Courtauld-style voluntary agreement to reduce packaging and waste to landfill.

Argos, B&Q, Focus, Henkel, Homebase and Wickes have agreed to achieve a 15% packaging reduction and halve waste to landfill by the end of 2012

Read the full article here: DIY sector gets its own ‘Courtauld’ commitment | packagingnews.co.uk.

I’m not sure about this one, I suppose it depends on what shade of colour recycled mixed glass would give.  I mean a jar of white mayo could look a little unappetising in a light shade of greeny/brown.  Until the bottles/jars arrived how would you know if your design will work with it.  See what you think.

By Mike Stones, 11-Sep-2009  www.foodproductiondaily.com

Retailer demand for recycled glass could rocket after new UK research commissioned by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

The study, conducted in partnership with Sainbury’s, found that consumers are just as likely to buy products in jars and bottles made from mixed colour recycled glass as they are to buy items in clear glass packaging.

via New research promises breakthrough for recycled glass.

Chloe Smith, thegrocer.co.uk 31/07/2009

Asda will challenge big-name brands to follow its lead by slashing packaging by up to a third this autumn.

Following a drive to cut own-label packaging by 25%, which resulted in a saving of £10m, chief merchandising officer Darren Blackhurst said he would be asking brand owners to follow suit at Asda’s supplier conference later this year.

via Asda cuts packaging and challenges suppliers to follow suit | thegrocer.co.uk.

By Rory Harrington, 28-Jul-2009   www.foodproductiondaily.com

Combining recycling streams of polyethylene terephthalate PET and polylactic acid PLA containers could place the future of both in jeopardy, a leading trade body has cautioned.

The National Association for PET Container Resources NAPCOR has rejected the premise of recycling both materials in tandem over concerns of separation costs, increased contamination and yield loss. The group also warned about the impact any such move would have on recycled PET quality and processing.

via NAPCOR rejects joint recycling of PET and PLA.

Simeon Goldstein, packagingnews.co.uk, 29 July 2009

Energy drink brand Red Bull has been fined a record £271,800 for breaching packaging waste regulations.

via Red Bull hit with record £270k packaging waste fine | packagingnews.co.uk.

Josh Brooks, packagingnews.co.uk, 24 July 2009

Coca-Cola Enterprises CCE has pledged to recover as much packaging as it produces as part of ambitious plans to cut its carbon footprint by 15% in the next 10 years.

via Coca-Cola Enterprises to recover 100% of packaging by 2020 | packagingnews.co.uk.