“Packaging waste, climate change and other environmental crises demand an urgent and joined up response from the CPG [consumer packaged goods] community. The Sustainability Awards sets the agenda on best practice, turns the spotlight on the most important areas of R&D, and helps separate greenwash from the innovations that make a genuine difference. This year’s competition has introduced five new Pre-Commercialized categories, dedicated to showcasing the most important areas of emerging innovation that will hit the market in the years to come. Among the categories for commercialized products and initiatives, there are two new categories: ‘Climate’ and ‘Renewables’” – Packaging Europe. At Stora Enso, our approach to innovation combines our capabilities with renewable materials to drive change towards a more sustainable future. We address trends that affect our customers and end-consumers, while advancing solutions to reduce dependence on fossil-based materials. One of these innovations is Papira® by Stora Enso. Papira is a natural, bio-based and recyclable alternative, ideal for protective and cushioning applications in packaging. This lightweight and shock absorbent foam material is made from pulp fibers. With Papira, you can forget fossil-based foams and ensure that your packaging is renewable, biodegradable and fully recyclable in currently existing paper and board steams.

Anthony Pratt, Executive Global Chairman of Pratt Industries and Visy, often refers to Pratt’s material recovery programs and circular strategy as harvesting the urban forest. “Through our closed loop process,” says Pratt, “we harvest the urban forest to divert 3 million tons of paper, other recyclable materials and waste-to-clean energy materials from the landfill each year.” To better explain what it means to harvest the urban forest and why it is important for Pratt, our customers and their end-users, we spoke with two leaders and experts on sustainability, material recovery and recycling. Between Cathy Foley and Shawn State, there are 50 plus years of experience and accumulated knowledge on recycling and sustainable initiatives for the paper and packaging industry. Foley has served as the Executive Vice President, Industry Relations & Supply Chain for Pratt since 2016, but she previously spent more than 20 years at the American Forest and Paper Association, including as Group Vice President. She was also elected to serve as the Chairman of the Fibre Box Association from 2020-2021.

Hilex®, a Novolex® brand, announced today new options for its popular ProWAVE® Tote, a recyclable, reusable tote bag that simplifies deliveries and carry-out for supermarkets, restaurants, retailers and their customers. Customers can now choose a ProWAVE Tote that features a 2.25-mil gauge film that’s manufactured with a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled material — attributes that allow the totes to meet most legislative requirements for reusable bags, including those in California. Customers also can now opt for a ProWAVE Tote made with 1.7-mil gauge film. The ProWAVE tote boasts folded handles and a sturdy double-ply top, ensuring that the bag remains open for easy loading. The flat bottom design allows for efficient packing of larger grocery or retail products.