Paper Clips

The American Chemistry Council this year voluntarily withdrew a lawsuit in Colorado regarding mass balance allocation methods in the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging program plan. But the wider debate about what counts as recycled content is far from at rest.  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the defendant in the lawsuit, “will have further discussions this summer” about the excluded methodologies, according to an emailed

A recent study has found that wealthier, more educated US communities recycle more packaging due to better access to nearby recycling infrastructure. Plastic waste generation is similar across regions, yet plastic recycling rates differ due to unequal infrastructure distribution, according to researchers. Policies in the US, like Bottle Bills, can double recycling rates, highlighting the need for expanded regulatory measures. A study from the University at Buffalo (UB), US, found that communities with higher income levels and higher education attainment are more likely to recycle items such as soda bottles, takeout containers, and other plastic packaging.  John Atkinson, associate professor in the UB Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, tells Packaging Insights: “Our work shows that there are many underserved areas that should be elevated in priority for recycling infrastructure.”

A US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency has launched a nationwide US$144 million microplastics research program. It aims to create a toolbox for measuring, researching, and affordably removing microplastics and nanoplastics from the human body. The STOMP program (Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics) from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) will uncover how microplastics from food, air, and water build up in the body and protect people from their potential health impact.

From the UN Environmental Program-March 28 marked the International Day of Zero Waste. Since its first observance three years ago, this UN Day, facilitated by UNEP and my friends at UN Habitat, has championed bold action on rethinking how we produce, consume and manage our resources. My thanks to Türkiye for their leadership on this day and on this issue.  This year, we turn to an urgent and preventable crisis: food waste. In 2022 alone, one billion tonnes of food – almost 20 per cent of food available to retailers, food services and households – was thrown away. This above the 13 per cent of food lost before it reaches retailers. Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of people faced hunger.

The packaging policy across the country is shifting, as states adopt legislation spanning data reporting to label design. From Maine to California—and all the states in between—there’s a lot to keep track of in the world of packaging policy. Whether you’re an engineer, a designer, or just a fan of sustainable packaging, SPC’s Senior Project Manager and Packaging EPR Collaborative Lead Lucy Pierce is breaking down noteworthy policy updates every month.

Heidi Brock, President and CEO of AF&PA stated, "Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies continue to move in the wrong direction. In states like Oregon, EPR is poised to result in escalating fees, limited transparency, and added complexity while failing to recognize the existing, highly effective paper recycling system. "Our industry continuously invests to improve paper recycling. And we have a significant stake throughout the recycling value chain, including designing products to be recycled, expanding mill-based infrastructure that utilizes recycled paper, and operating over 100 materials recovery facilities (MRFs). "Rather than penalizing materials like paper and paper packaging that are already widely recycled, policymakers should prioritize approaches that build on existing success and deliver measurable improvements. Treating all materials the same, regardless of recycling performance, ignores decades of progress and distorts recycling markets.

After the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors secured a preliminary injunction in February, groups representing the paper industry, grocers and other businesses want in. The challenges to Oregon’s program come as Circular Action Alliance, the producer responsibility organization in the state, is already re-investing in recycling enhancements. Following NAW’s preliminary injunction, CAA had clarified that everything else was moving forward as planned. Oregon launched its first-in-the-nation packaging EPR program last year and CAA began collecting producer fees. According to a mid-February update from CAA, the organization had already contributed $19.5 million to support recycling facilities, distributed $3.1 million to communities for contamination reduction programs, and ordered more than 50,000 recycling carts and 14 trucks for communities that lacked access to recycling services, among other actions.

Starting on 1 October 2026, SCA will implement changes to its sea transport using RoRo vessels (Roll-on/Roll-off) by reducing speed, increasing vessel load factors, and adjusting how the ports in Umeå and Piteå are used. One effect of these changes is that emissions from the vessels will be reduced by approximately 40 percent. Today, the vessels operate three times per week – twice to Kiel and once to London and Rotterdam. Under the new structure, there will be two weekly departures: once per week to Kiel and once per week to London and Rotterdam. The change means that the vessels will operate at a slower speed of 11–12 knots, compared with the current approximately 15 knots. Furthermore, the vessels will have a significantly higher load factor for northbound cargo. Southbound cargo that does not fit will be transferred to other solutions.

A mammoth solar farm is moving forward in the heart of California. If built, which seems increasingly likely, it would cover 200 square miles of land and generate 21,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power entire cities. Huge batteries will store some of that power until it's needed most. Farmers are among the project's backers. They don't have enough water to grow crops on big chunks of their land, and they're looking for new uses for it. Patrick Mealoy, a partner at Golden State Clean Energy, says they had to propose a solar farm that would generate an enormous amount of power to make the case for new multibillion-dollar power lines to carry electricity from the San Joaquin Valley to Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. Mealoy says smaller proposed projects have stalled because they weren't big enough to justify building those power lines. "In order to actually have solar be productive, you need size and scale, a mass of projects that support the necessary investment in high voltage transmission lines to collect the electrons and move them," Mealoy says.

Billerud continues to advance its sustainability agenda with a clear strategic direction, strengthened governance and Science Based Targets guiding the company toward net‑zero by 2050. In CDP’s latest assessment, Billerud remains on the Leadership level with A‑ ratings in both Climate and Forests – underlining that the company’s progress continues to meet rigorous external scrutiny.  “Billerud has a solid foundation and a clear direction for the years ahead. For me, sustainability is about being fact-based and transparent in how we work – relying on high-quality data, clear targets and consistent follow-up to guide decisions. Our Science Based Targets toward net‑zero by 2050, combined with our ambition to integrate sustainability into everyday decisions, give us that structure". Sofia Hedevåg-EVP Sustainability & Public Affairs

One rooted in nature, shaped by innovation, and designed for the long term. Most people see a tree; we see the future of textiles. Here is why the synergy between trees and fashion is more powerful than you think: 🌳 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲𝘀: Trees are the literal starting point for innovation. Cellulose from wood (like Sappi Verve) is converted into dissolving wood pulp, becoming the fibres we wear every day. ♻️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹: Like fashion, trees move through seasons reflected in annual rings. This mirrors how trends evolve and renew, reminding us that progress doesn’t have to mean constant replacement. 🍂 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻-𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Tree rings, bark, leaves and fibres echo the ideas of weaving and construction. They visually parallel how garments are made: thread by thread, detail by detail. Trees embody a timeless beauty. Their textures and colours inspire palettes that feel grounded rather than fleeting. The takeaway? Real sustainability isn't just a trend, it's entrenched in the very fibres we source. If your clothes could tell a story about where they started, what would they say?

Biodiversity is the foundation of every natural system we depend on. Forests, wetlands, and grasslands regulate climate, maintain water cycles, support agriculture, and provide habitat for millions of species - including the ones that sustain human life.  But globally, biodiversity is declining faster than at any point in modern history. The primary driver is simple: habitat loss. Carbon Balanced Paper helps address this challenge by supporting the protection of forests in regions where biodiversity is both rich and under immediate threat. Through its partnership with World Land Trust (WLT) and local conservation organizations, the program contributes to the permanent protection of critical habitats, including tropical forests in Latin America and Africa. For more information on Carbon Balanced Paper reach out to: midlandmarketing@midlandco.com

MIDLAND, a national leader in delivering paper solutions, packaging materials and custom design, paper converting, automation equipment, and facility supplies, and delivering strategy through data-driven marketing consultation and results-driven creative, is proud to announce that it has earned the Bronze Medal from EcoVadis for its commitment to sustainability.  This puts MIDLAND in the top 35% of companies worldwide recognized for sustainable development. The EcoVadis assessment evaluates 21 sustainability criteria across four core themes: Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.  More than 150,000 companies globally have been rated by EcoVadis. “I am proud of the outstanding work from our team to earn the EcoVadis Bronze Medal” said Aaron Zansler, Environmental Affairs Manager.  “This recognition validates the work we are doing to minimize the environmental impact of all aspects of our operations.

The bipartisan Recycled Materials Attribution Act aims to establish federal standards and ensure the Green Guides are updated accordingly. The Recycled Materials Attribution Act is sponsored by New York Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy. “Advanced technology in recycling is transforming how we recover and reuse materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, but our regulations have remained stagnant,” Langworthy said in RLC’s announcement. “This much-needed legislation changes that by modernizing and updating the rules with a uniform national standard that protects consumers from misleading claims while giving American manufacturers the certainty they need to invest, innovate, and compete,” he said. The legislation is championed by the Recycling Leadership Council, which formed in January. Led by the Consumer Brands Association, its members include the American Chemistry Council, Closed Loop Partners, the Household & Commercial Products Association, the Vinyl Institute, and industry groups across agriculture, automotives, petrochemicals, retail and more.

Here’s a secret: Most CEOs believe climate change is real. They need to deal with it to stay profitable, create resilient operations, and remain relevant to their customers and employees. Texas leads the country in the production of both fossil fuels and renewable energy, in part because everyone knows the state’s power grid needs all the help it can get. Every time there’s a development that could reverse corporate action on climate change, from the Supreme Court’s 2024 reversal of the Chevron doctrine to the U.S. Department of Energy’s stunning report last year that downplayed global warming, I check in with leaders to see if they’re changing their strategy. The answer is they’re not.

PEFC International is taking forward targeted governance work to strengthen integrity safeguards related to scope-based forest management certification in Indonesia, as part of its ongoing integrity and system development work. Recent public communications by environmental NGO Earthsight and others have raised questions about how scope-based certification operates in certain Indonesian concession cases. The governance work now underway addresses this topic within PEFC’s established oversight and standards processes. Scope-based certification, where forest management certification applies to clearly defined and independently audited management units rather than entire concessions, is an established part of how forest certification systems operate. It enables forest areas that meet the sustainability requirements to be certified based on verified compliance and audit. Certification confirms compliance within the audited scope. Areas that do not meet the requirements are excluded from certification. Only material from certified areas may be sold as certified, and this is subject to documented chain-of-custody controls and independent verification to prevent mixing with non-certified material.

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) is excited to announce the launch of its newest working group, the Consumer Education Collaborative. The new Collaborative will support SPC members’ efforts to educate consumers around recycling and key sustainable packaging topics.  While the vast majority of consumers support recycling, the packaging industry has spent years grappling with the intention-action gap — the reality that most consumers want to shop sustainably and recycle, yet they often face barriers preventing truly sustainable actions.  SPC’s new Consumer Education Collaborative will help break down these barriers with comprehensive, scalable education tools for members.

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, is proud to participate in a groundbreaking city-scale packaging reuse project launching in Ottawa, Canada. The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), in collaboration with Reposit and leading retailers, brands and solution providers, today announced plans for The Reuse City Canada Project — a city-scale initiative in Ottawa designed to enable consumers to buy, return and reuse everyday products across multiple retailers and brands. Launching in Ottawa in Q3 2026, the project will test how reuse systems can operate at city scale in a way that is practical for consumers, viable for businesses and capable of generating credible learnings to inform replication in other cities and markets. Participating retailers and brands include Loblaw, L’Oréal, P&G, Shoppers Drug Mart, Superstore, Unilever, Walmart Canada and Your Independent Grocer. The project is supported by partner solution providers, including Amcor and Avery Dennison, alongside Canadian circular economy partners Circulr and IBM.

The certification follows an extensive evaluation by ISEGA, an internationally recognized testing and certification body for food contact materials. According to Sustana, the approval verifies that both recycled fiber grades comply with a wide range of regulatory and safety requirements governing paper and paperboard used in direct contact with food. ISEGA confirmed compliance with U.S. FDA regulations for paper components used with aqueous, fatty and dry foods, as well as with EU Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 on food contact materials. The certification also covers Germany’s BfR guidelines, the Council of Europe’s technical guidance for paper and board, CONEG and EU toxics-in-packaging requirements, and DIN EN 71 standards related to chemical and heavy metal migration. With the certification in place, EnviroLife and EnviroNatural can be used in papers and packaging designed for direct contact with dry, moist and fatty foods, supporting applications where both performance and food safety are critical.

Carbon Balanced Paper North America (CBPNA) announced the launch of its refreshed brand identity, reflecting an evolution in how the program is presented and communicated across North America. This update applies exclusively to Carbon Balanced Paper North America’s website, visual identity, and communications materials. It follows, and aligns with, the global rebrand of its conservation partner, World Land Trust, which took place in 2025. Since its introduction to North America, Carbon Balanced Paper has grown from an emerging sustainability concept into a trusted solution for paper and packaging buyers across the United States and Canada. Its purpose has always been straightforward: to balance the carbon emissions associated with paper and paper-based packaging production by funding the permanent protection of threatened forests through World Land Trust. If you have questions and are curious about Carbon Balanced Paper reach out to your MIDLAND representative or send a note to: midlandmarketing@midlandco.com

A study from Aarhus University, Denmark, shows that there are differences in how European food ecolabels are created, with variations in functional units, system boundaries, and impact categories assessed. The study urges the need for standardization to avoid consumer confusion. An ecolabel is a certification that evaluates a range of environmental impacts and may, in certain cases, also encompass social considerations. Researchers from the Department of Agroecology analyzed 31 food ecolabels based on LCAs across EU countries, Norway, the UK, and Switzerland. The study outcome is said to be the first comprehensive overview of such labels.

The numbers are in. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery released its annual update to the covered material categories list for SB 54, the law behind the state’s upcoming extended producer responsibility for packaging program and source reduction goals. For the first time, that document listed a recycling rate determination for each category, with cardboard and glass getting the strongest marks. CalRecycle estimated these recycling rates as the percentage of overall covered material recycled and disposed in 2024. A separate study that CalRecycle released in 2025 found that Californians disposed of nearly 8.5 million tons of single-use packaging and food ware in 2024, with 40 million tons of total material sent to landfills. About 21% of that was material that will be covered under SB 54. Please go to the article link for the details.

States such as Colorado and Maine have banned more products, while states such as Minnesota and New Mexico will require manufacturers to submit reports detailing their forever chemicals usage. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working to revamp regulations on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, including reporting requirements, states are charging ahead with their own PFAS legislation through 2026.  The legislation is a mix of recently enacted laws and statutory provisions being phased in, including reporting requirements with summer deadlines.

The “green economy” surpassed $5 trillion in annual value in 2024 and is projected to top $7 trillion annually by 2030, according to a new report from the Boston Consulting Group and the World Economic Forum. The Tuesday report classified the green economy as “commercial solutions with a clear environmental purpose or solutions that are a direct response to environmental challenges,” which included activities focused on mitigation, adaptation and resilience. “Recent geopolitical developments, energy security considerations and short-term economic pressures have shifted the conversation on climate action,” the report said, but added that actual investments in sustainable solutions have continued to increase. “Recent headlines may suggest that the climate transition is stalling,” Valdre and Hernold wrote. “Yet, overall growth in the green economy has not wavered. On the contrary, investments in green technologies keep jumping from record to record.”

The bill would preempt state laws and call on the FTC to require certain parameters such as third-party certifications for recyclable, compostable and reusable claims on consumer products. This federal push comes at a time when more packaging stakeholders are raising concerns about how differing state-level packaging regulations could inhibit interstate commerce. It’s also less than a year away from California’s planned implementation of SB 343, a landmark labeling law that will make it illegal for packaging to bear chasing arrows or other recycling indicators unless specific criteria are met. All the while, unfinished efforts under the Biden administration to get clarity on best practices for sustainability claims by updating the non-binding FTC Green Guides have been quiet under the Trump administration. “Americans want to do the right thing, but misleading labels make that harder,” Weber said in a statement. “The PACK Act cuts through that confusion. It’s pro-environment, pro-business, and rooted in common sense, all while holding companies accountable and giving consumers clear, honest information they can trust.”

All businesses will have one additional year to comply with the new rules Simplified traceability requirements within the EU Simpler due diligence requirements for small and micro primary operators Printed products excluded from the law’s remit

Irish Distillers Limited (IDL), the maker behind some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, has long held a strong commitment to sustainable sourcing and is intensifying efforts to source the finest casks and make all first-use casks fully PEFC certified. “Initially, when developing our Maturation Programme, we chose PEFC certification for our whiskey casks due to the availability of certified material in Europe,” says Finbarr Curran, Wood Planning & Maturation Lead at IDL. “Particularly through French cooperages that had PEFC certification in place. Midleton Distillery has been PEFC certified since 2015 for our cask supply. The ambition of sourcing all first-use casks as 100% PEFC certified has been in place since. To achieve this ambition, we actively collaborate with our supply chain partners, encouraging them to integrate PEFC-certified raw material into their processes. This strategic initiative has been highly rewarding over the past decade.

Extended producer responsibility for packaging programs require a heavy lift to move from law to implemented program. State agencies, consultants and other groups are hiring to meet the demand in 2026 and beyond – though there can be strong competition for a limited pool of applicants with expertise.  The programs, which have been adopted in seven U.S. states, have a complex implementation period. Some programs, such as Maine’s, left much to be hashed out during that rulemaking process. Others, like Colorado, had a more prescriptive law.

If you only read the headlines around corporate sustainability goals and commitments, you might think that the era of corporate sustainability is over. During SPC Advance 2025, Net Positive Author Andrew Winston and Project Drawdown Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Foley explored the question looming over the sustainability industry: Is this all over? Have we lost the plot? Far from it. Sustainability isn’t over, it’s maturing, and as Winston said, “While the work may be quieter, the work continues.” Even if it doesn’t always feel like it, the building blocks of a circular packaging economy are aligning more than they ever have before. As corporate sustainability matures, we’re unpacking the “gigatrends” shaping packaging, and how you can turn them into strong sustainable packaging strategies.

Recent commentary has reignited debate about the role of certification in addressing legacy deforestation in Indonesia. This debate is welcome. Public-interest groups and watchdog organisations play an important role in scrutinising land-use decisions, and their work contributes to greater accountability across the forest sector. Some conclusions, however, overlook how certification functions in practice. Certification is not designed to rewrite past land-use decisions. It is designed to ensure that unacceptable practices must stop, and that future forest management meets strict environmental and social requirements. In Indonesia, the endorsed national standard includes a firm cut-off date, the 31 December 2010, for the conversion of natural forests. Areas converted after these dates cannot be certified and cannot supply PEFC-certified material.

Revolution Foods, a K-12 school meal vendor in California, US, has introduced a compostable school lunch packaging pilot across 95 San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) schools. The initiative, in partnership with SFUSD Student Nutrition Services, replaces plastic meal trays with compostable PFAS-free alternatives developed from a byproduct of sugarcane.  Revolution Foods will collaborate with SFUSD kitchen managers to track how the compostable trays perform through transport and reheating. If successful, the company aims to expand the pilot and find a recyclable film for meals requiring more leak-proof packaging.

A variety of complex packaging regulations are coming up fast and furious in both the United States and Europe, creating some confusion for businesses that will be affected by new rules. Leaders from packaging policy organizations U.S.-based Ameripen and Europe-based Europen broke down important points to help manufacturers and others prepare during a virtual event they hosted Wednesday. For European entities, attention is largely toward the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation slated to go into effect in August 2026. Provisions include EU member states reducing packaging waste by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040, compared with a 2018 baseline. In the United States, the key focal area is certain states’ extended producer responsibility for packaging laws, said Lynn Dyer, executive director at Ameripen. While seven states have passed such EPR laws and three more have launched needs assessments, only Oregon has formally launched a program so far. Because EPR is still so early stage in the U.S., manufacturers and related groups are still trying to figure out how best to work under the new parameters. However, “we will see soon some best practices [to make] sure that we’re adopting those best practices in other states,” Dyer said. And U.S. entities can learn from those in Europe, where various packaging EPR programs have a longer history.

All businesses will have one more year to comply with new EU rules to prevent deforestation. Large operators and traders will now have to apply the regulation from 30 December 2026, and small operators – private individuals and micro- or small enterprises - from 30 June 2027. Printed products not covered Finally, the co-legislators agreed to exclude printed products from the scope of the regulation, as requested by Parliament. Next steps Parliament will vote on the deal during its 15-18 December 2025 plenary session. The text agreed must be endorsed by both Parliament and Council and be published in the EU’s Official Journal before the end of 2025 for the changes to enter into force. Otherwise, the current deadlines will apply.

China's efforts to slow land degradation and climate change by planting trees and restoring grasslands have shifted water around the country in huge, unforeseen ways, new research shows. Between 2001 and 2020, changes in vegetation cover reduced the amount of fresh water available for humans and ecosystems in the eastern monsoon region and northwestern arid region, which together make up 74% of China's land area, according to a study published Oct. 4 in the journal Earth's Future. Over the same period, water availability increased in China's Tibetan Plateau region, which makes up the remaining land area, scientists found. "We find that land cover changes redistribute water," study co-author Arie Staal, an assistant professor of ecosystem resilience at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, told Live Science in an email. "China has done massive-scale regreening over the past decades. They have actively restored thriving ecosystems, specifically in the Loess Plateau. This has also reactivated the water cycle."

Pew Charitable Trusts finds plastic pollution will more than double globally by 2040 unless action taken The 66m tonnes of pollution from plastic packaging that enters the global environment each year could be almost eliminated by 2040 primarily by reuse and return schemes, significant new research reveals. In the most wide-ranging analysis of the global plastic system, the Pew Charitable Trusts, in collaboration with academics including at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, said plastic, a material once called revolutionary and modern, was now putting public health, world economies and the future of the planet at risk. If nothing is done, plastic pollution will more than double in the next 15 years to 280m metric tonnes a year, the equivalent to a rubbish truck full of plastic waste being dumped every second. Much of the waste is made up of packaging. The single largest source of plastic waste across the world comes from packaging, which is used once then thrown away, and much of which is not recyclable. In 2025 it made up 33% globally of plastic waste, causing 66m tonnes of pollution to enter the environment each year. But packaging pollution could be almost eliminated with concerted action such as deposit return schemes and reuse – where consumers take empty boxes or refillable cups to supermarkets and cafes. Combined with bans on certain polymers and substituting plastic for other materials, plastic pollution could be cut by 97% in the next 15 years, the research found. “We have the ability to transform this, and nearly eliminate plastic pollution from packaging,” said Winnie Lau, project director, preventing plastic pollution, at the Pew Foundation.

For the first time in Canada, five producer responsibility organizations are collaborating to develop harmonized ecodesign guidelines that will help improve the recyclability of packaging and paper products across the country. The national framework will build on the ecodesign and recyclability guidelines developed by Éco Entreprises Québec, which were launched in 2024 and updated in 2025. The harmonized approach focuses on three key design pillars: reducing unnecessary packaging, increasing the use of responsible materials and prioritizing recyclability. “This collaboration will lay the groundwork for a national approach that will better support the recycling of packaging and paper across the Canadian marketplace,” said a joint statement from the organizations. “Ultimately, it will enhance environmental performance and build a more circular economy.”

Key takeaways Packaging EPRs are pushing US retailers to redesign packaging, improve labeling, and increase transparency. State-level EPR laws are driving a shift toward more consistent national recycling standards. As more US states advance recycling mandates, brands and retailers need to adapt strategies to meet compliance and support consumer participation.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved Billerud’s long-term commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This means that Billerud will first reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations and value chain by 90%. The remaining residual greenhouse gas emissions will be eliminated through balancing with an equal amount of carbon removals from the atmosphere. The value chain covers all stages of the product lifecycle – from raw materials, energy, through production and transport, to product use, and end-of-life – including both direct and indirect emissions. The SBTi validation confirms that Billerud’s targets align with climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement, to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Roadmaps are in place for reducing long-term Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across both Billerud’s European and North American operations.

Two years ago at COP28, aluminum recyclers and producers under the International Aluminium Institute announced an industrywide target to recycle at least 80% of aluminum beverage cans worldwide by 2030 and nearly all by 2050. “Reaching a 75% global aluminium recycling rate marks a significant step forward for our industry and for the circular economy as a whole,” said Sandrine Duquerroy-Delesalle, vice president of global sustainability and external affairs at Crown Holdings, in an IAI news release in response to the findings. That figure is far above estimates for the U.S. recycling rate for aluminum beverage cans, which in 2023 fell to approximately 43%.

Metsä Board’s recent comparative life cycle assessment* compared the carbon footprint of berry trays made from three different materials: MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB, PET and recycled R-PET. The study included both biogenic carbon sequestration and biogenic carbon emissions, and it was verified by two independent reviewers from RISE and SimaPro UK. The cradle-to-grave study covered multiple end-of-life scenarios, such as regional recycling and full incineration. Under the European end-of-life scenario**, the carbon footprint of a berry tray made of MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB was shown to be negative for the studied life cycle – meaning that more carbon, expressed as CO₂ equivalents, was bound in the paperboard’s fibres than was released during the processes of the first life cycle. The carbon footprint of the PET tray was 0.071 kg CO2e, and for the R-PET tray 0.039 kg CO2e. When the end-of-life scenario was 100% incineration, the carbon footprint of a berry tray made of MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB was 87% lower than that of a tray made of R-PET. “When comparing end-of-life impacts, both PET plastic and paperboard contain carbon, which forms carbon dioxide during incineration. The key difference is that paperboard’s emissions are balanced by the carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere during tree growth, while fossil-based plastics add new carbon to the atmosphere,” says Lari Oksala, Sustainability Manager at Metsä Board.

AMP One — an AI-powered waste-sorting system built by Louisville, Colorado-based AMP — just landed on Time magazine's list of the 25 best inventions of 2025. How it works: The system uses scanners trained by artificial intelligence to spot and separate compostable and recyclable materials from regular trash. AMP One can pluck out organics for compost and pull plastics and aluminum for resale. Why it matters: Even with curbside programs in place, 76% of residential recyclable materials still end up in landfills, according to a 2024 report from The Recycling Partnership. What they're saying: "People are lazy — the recycling bin gets full and they put it in their garbage can," AMP CEO Tim Stuart told Time. "Our technology can extract that." What's next: The company is pursuing a 20-year partnership with Southeastern Public Service Authority in Virginia to process half a million tons of trash a year — a model Stuart says could be replicated by cities nationwide.

the Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT) announced the launch of its latest platform upgrade, Version 4.2, specifically targeting the compliance needs of pulp, paper, and packaging supply chains across Europe. The release centers around two critical additions: robust European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance functionality and the integration of enhanced human rights and ethics indicators, directly addressing legislative and reputational risks for manufacturers, suppliers, and converters within the sector. As the EUDR comes into force, effective from the first half of 2026, companies operating or selling within the EU must demonstrate strict traceability and risk assessment for all fiber-based products entering the market. EPAT 4.2 offers a comprehensive suite of onboarding and reporting tools, enabling mills, packaging converters, technology solution providers, and traders to map raw material origins, validate due diligence, and formally document supplier adherence to both EUDR and international human rights standards

The latest European Commission proposal for the EU Deforestation-free Product Regulation (EUDR) has drawn sharp criticism across North America, where forest industry associations warn it threatens trade commitments and transatlantic relations. Canada Disappointed by Lack of Simplification The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) expressed disappointment with the EU proposal, calling it insufficient to address the practical challenges faced by the industry. FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor criticized two key elements: The EU’s Information Technology (IT) system, which remains “not fit for purpose,” posing serious risks to product traceability and compliance; The absence of solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are part of larger supply chains. Nighbor urged the EU to simplify the regulation and to formally recognize the “low-risk” status of countries like Canada, which would streamline traceability requirements and align with the EU–Canada strategic partnership signed in June 2025. U.S. Denounces ‘U-Turn’ and Trade Barrier In Washington, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) reacted strongly. President and CEO Heidi Brock described the Commission’s announcement as a “U-turn” that undermines transatlantic trade. Although the EU had previously recognized the United States as a negligible-risk country for deforestation, the new proposal fails to uphold that commitment and reverses earlier recommendations for simplification and delay. The AF&PA stressed that the U.S. pulp and paper industry is not linked to global deforestation and warned that the current regu

On 21 October, the EU Commission presented its proposal to simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in order to reduce the obligations for operators and traders, especially for small and micro companies from low-risk countries, and reduce the volume of date reported into the IT system. The proposal also includes a transitional implementation period for EUDR but does not go for a general one-year delay. With a series of "targeted measures" the Commission wants to support affected companies, stakeholders, third countries and EU member states in the smooth implementation of the EUDR. However, the EU Commission is not planning a blanket postponement of the EUDR. However, the European Commission is not planning a blanket postponement of the EUDR. The "zero-risk category" previously called for by the EPP Group in the European Parliament and the German government, among others, is also not part of the Commission's proposal.

NEW MILFORD - A new lawsuit is accusing the Kimberly-Clark Corp., a producer of paper goods for household brands such as Huggies, Kleenex and Scott, of contaminating local water sources, including the Housatonic River, with dangerous "forever chemicals" over the course of decades. The lawsuit was filed Oct. 14 by Silver Golub & Teitell on behalf of Minah McBreairty, whose property on Kent Road in New Milford sits directly across from a 165-acre, unlined landfill operated by Kimberly-Clark from 1969 to 2010. The suit claims testing done in April 2024 revealed that drinking water from McBreairty's well contained high levels of PFOS and PFOA, two of the most hazardous types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The PFOS concentration of 8.74 nanograms per liter and PFOA concentration of 4.83 nanograms per liter far exceeded maximum levels deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to the lawsuit.

The year 2025 is “pivotal” for mass timber construction, which is growing at around 20 percent a year. While sustainable solutions are facing drastic funding cuts and even outright opposition, mass timber as a sustainable construction material is steadily gaining traction across the United States. Construction using mass timber began in 2015 in the U.S., and since then the number of projects has grown about 20 percent annually. Today, over 2,500 mass timber projects are built or in progress in the U.S., including corporate offices for companies such as Google, Microsoft and Under Armour. Buildings and construction account for 37 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2023 report by the United Nations Environment Program. The production of cement and steel for construction accounts for 11 percent of global emissions.  Mass timber is made of layers of lumber glued together to form a single, strong beam. The two most common varieties are cross-laminated timber, where lumber boards alternate directions as they are stacked, like a Jenga tower, and glue-laminated timber where boards are stacked in parallel. Replacing conventional building materials with mass timber has the potential to reduce global emissions by 14 percent to 31 percent, according to the U.N. report — including from carbon stored in the wood, displacing fossil fuels and less carbon-intensive production and construction methods.

Domtar's Kingsport Mill has been awarded The Fred Schmitt Award for Outstanding Corporate Leadership by the National Recycling Coalition (NRC). The prestigious national honor recognizes a company showing leadership, innovation and success as a model in recycling and diversion. The Kingsport Mill was nominated by the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and selected by the NRC for its transformative conversion into Tennessee's largest recycled manufacturer. The mill is home to the second-largest recycled containerboard machine in North America. "This recognition from the National Recycling Coalition is a tremendous honor and a testament to our employees' dedication to sustainability," said Tony Clary, interim mill manager. "Through innovation and hard work, our team has redefined what's possible in circular manufacturing — not just for Domtar, but for our entire industry."

Amazon has opened a delivery station mostly built from wood and lower-carbon materials in Indiana. As part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge to operate more sustainably and be net zero carbon across its entire business by 2040, the online giant is running a delivery station known as "DII5" in Elkhart, Ind., which is also referred to as the "wooden wonder." Packages are shipped to Amazon delivery stations from neighboring fulfillment and sortation centers, loaded into delivery vehicles, and delivered to customers. Amazon prioritized bio-based materials for the facility’s construction, with wood studs instead of metal ones at interior partitions, wood fiber insulation instead of fiberglass, and an ultra-light, lower-carbon alternative to standard drywall.

The study, mandated by SB 54, sheds light on how materials covered under the extended producer responsibility program might be diverted in the future. Californians threw away nearly 8.5 million tons of single-use packaging and food ware in 2024, according to an updated material characterization study CalRecycle published on Tuesday. Last year, about 40 million tons of total material went to landfills. About 21% percent of that was material that will eventually be covered under California’s extended producer responsibility for packaging law, known as SB 54, according to the study. The study was meant to measure how much EPR-related “covered material” ends up in landfills, CalRecycle said, such as hair spray cans or pasta sauce jars. That gives insight into how much of that material might be diverted in the future once the EPR program takes effect in 2027.

As extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for paper and packaging roll out across several U.S. states, producers must navigate a new and evolving regulatory landscape. Seven states (California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington) already have laws, with lawmakers in many other states introducing or considering their own versions. Figuring out producer obligations under these laws, especially if operating across multiple states, can be a full-time job. By partnering with a trusted producer responsibility organization (PRO), producers can gain access to valuable resources and guidance and keep their organizations in compliance with current and upcoming EPR requirements. Circular Action Alliance (CAA), founded by producers across the food, beverage, consumer goods and retail industries, is committed to helping producers comply with EPR laws, deliver harmonized, best-in-class services, and work with governments, businesses and communities to reduce waste and recycle more.

Stora Enso’s joint operation Veracel, co-owned with Suzano, is at the heart of a landmark forest restoration initiative launched by Biomas. The Muçununga Project, announced in southern Bahia, Brazil, represents Biomas’ first large-scale effort to restore one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems - the Atlantic rainforest. Over the next two years, more than 2 million native seedlings will be planted across 1,200 hectares of Veracel’s land. This ambitious undertaking will not only help remove carbon from the atmosphere but also contribute to the recovery of one of Brazil’s most threatened biomes. By restoring forest landscapes, the project will help keep the environment cooler, safeguard water resources, and promote biodiversity – ultimately benefiting local communities, agriculture, and wildlife.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is announcing a bold campaign to protect more than 1,800 hectares (4,400 acres) of boreal forest, freshwater shoreline and wetlands in central Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the largest land donation NCC has received during its 54-year history working in Atlantic Canada. Domtar has agreed to donate land to NCC, thus allowing NCC to conserve four large parcels of forested lands and waters along the Southwest Gander River and Gander Lake near the communities of Glenwood and Appleton. The land donation project is significant as it enables better wildlife movement through connected conservation lands. Less than three per cent of the Central Newfoundland ecoregion currently falls under conservation status.

The California Air Resources Board released a preliminary list of entities that may have to report under SB 253 and SB 261. The California Air Resources Board last week published its preliminary list of thousands of entities that may be subject to upcoming reporting requirements under either or both SB 253, which covers GHG emissions, and SB 261, which covers climate-related financial risks. The laws passed in 2023. A mix of publicly and privately held packaging suppliers named on the list include Crown, Hood Container, International Paper, Menasha, Pactiv Evergreen, Printpack, Sappi, Sealed Air, Silgan, TransPak and Veritiv. The preliminary list is intended to support development of fee regulation, law firm Ropes & Gray noted in a brief analysis.

Kruger Inc., one of the most diversified privately owned manufacturing companies in North America, secured the EcoVadis 2025 Gold Medal. This international ranking assesses the social and environmental responsibility (SER) performance of companies. With its best result to date (81%), Kruger finished in the top 5% of the best-rated organizations out of 150,000 assessed worldwide over the past 12 months. The EcoVadis Gold Medal marks a significant milestone for Kruger, which is continuing on its ambitious path to continuous improvement in order to optimize its practices and reduce its environmental footprint at each stage of its value chain. EcoVadis is one of the world’s leading providers of SER ratings, business intelligence, and collaborative performance improvement tools for supply chains. Its annual assessment covers four key areas: environmental protection, respect of human and labour rights, ethics, and responsible procurement.

IT problems have led The European Commission to propose another delay to the EU's new deforestation rules coming into force. The regulations, known as EUDR, were set to be implemented in December after already being pushed back. EUDR, first announced in 2021, was originally due to be enforced on 30 December this year but the Commission faced pressure from parts of the food industry to extend the deadline. Brussels agreed to a one-year delay last December. “The capacity is not sufficient. We concluded that it needs further work on the IT side and that’s why the Commissioner today announced that we will be speaking with the Parliament and the Council to explain the situation,” the spokesperson said. “This will be followed by our proposal, which will aim to delay by one year to fix this IT issue.” Earlier today, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall told reporters Brussels had a “concern regarding the IT system, given the amount of information that we put into the system”. Under EUDR, companies marketing products including cocoa, coffee and palm oil, as well as foods that contain the ingredients, in the EU will have to demonstrate their supply chains are free from deforestation-related impacts.

Climate change has gained intensity with record-breaking global temperatures and extreme weather, but it has lost ground in business communications. Corporate reports and earnings calls now include fewer references to climate change and even many companies still pursuing net-zero goals are less vocal about their sustainability practices. The phenomenon called greenhushing started amid the pushback against ESG, or environmental, social and governance (ESG) business practices, and has accelerated under the Trump administration's efforts to roll back climate regulation. But a number of experts in marketing and business sustainability argue that companies are making a mistake by staying mum on their climate action. "CEOs should feel confident that climate change does not alienate their investors, customers or employees," John Marshall, CEO and founder of the Potential Energy Coalition, told Newsweek. Marshall said his work with surveys and focus groups tells him that while the political environment around climate change and sustainability has changed dramatically, "the citizen environment hasn't really changed much at all." Most ordinary people, he said, still hold the same, largely positive opinions of companies that take steps to address climate change.

Wildfire smoke is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year and will do more harm to U.S. residents by midcentury than any other threat driven by climate change, including extreme heat. That’s the conclusion of a new research paper that provides some of the most extensive modeling of the growing health toll of wildfire smoke on public health in the U.S. The study, which was published in the journal Nature on Thursday, found that each year, on average, wildfire smoke is causing more than 41,400 excess deaths, or more than would be normally expected without smoke given the demographics of the U.S. That figure is more than twice what was previously recognized in other studies. By midcentury, the study’s authors expect that number to grow by an additional 26,500 to 30,000 deaths as human-caused climate change worsens and the risk of wildfires igniting increases. “Wildfire smoke is a much larger health risk than we might have understood previously,” said Marshall Burke, a professor of environmental social sciences at Stanford University and a study author.

The Biodegradable Products Institute for the first time added a home compostable certification to complement its commercially compostable product certification, the group revealed Thursday at its annual summit in Atlanta. It also unveiled a new label for the combined Commercial & Home Compostable Certification program. The new certification identifies products that break down completely in the lower temperatures of home compost piles, in addition to meeting the existing certification criteria. This will expand citizens’ access to composting options, said BPI Executive Director Rhodes Yespen during an interview, adding that, “We really just need more options for individuals.” BPI plans to launch educational campaigns about the changes in the coming months. The program will officially launch on Dec. 1, and BPI will begin accepting applications at that time.

The U.S. EPA says it will defend its rule designating certain PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, according to a court document filed by the Justice Department on behalf of the EPA on Wednesday. The hazardous substance designation for two types of PFAS — PFOS and PFOA — was first set last year under the Biden administration. The National Waste & Recycling Association and other groups sued the EPA in 2024 over the matter, saying the designation unfairly exposes them to liability expenses because they are “passive receivers” that do not have control over PFAS-laden materials that enter their facilities. The EPA also said it intends to develop a new rule on how it might craft any future hazardous substance designations under CERCLA, including cost considerations. “The best, most enduring solution to this issue is a statutory fix to protect passive receivers from liability, which EPA would follow to the letter of the law,” the agency said.

Smurfit Westrock is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as one of the Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies by Sustainability Magazine. The official Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025 list launched on September 9, 2025, during Sustainability LIVE London. This prestigious ranking celebrates the organizations leading the way in sustainability, ESG and climate action around the world. Compiled by Sustainability Magazine, a BizClik brand, the list recognizes companies driving measurable impact through innovation, leadership and long-term commitment to sustainable business practices. “We are honored to be included in the Top 250 World’s Most Sustainable Companies list,” said Garrett Quinn, chief sustainability officer, Smurfit Westrock. “This recognition reflects our commitment to the circular economy, which is at the heart of our business, and our belief that sustainable business is good business.” Quinn added, “Since 2017, a team of our highly skilled designers have been dedicated to our Better Planet Packaging initiative, developing and implementing innovative, sustainable solutions and supporting our customers’ ambitions to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions through the entire packaging supply chain.”

The retail giant met nearly 50% of its global electricity needs through renewable energy sources and is still working toward achieving zero emissions by 2040. Walmart confirmed in its latest sustainability report that it anticipates delays in achieving its emissions reduction targets for 2025 and 2030, but reiterated its commitment to taking “meaningful” climate action and lowering its carbon footprint. The retail giant said it procured 48.5% of its global electricity needs from renewable energy sources last year and 30.6% of its electricity needs were supplied through renewable energy contracts. The company has a goal of using renewable energy to power half of its global operations by 2025 and 100% of its operations by 2035.

Netflix signed a 15-year contract last week to purchase verified carbon credits from the American Forest Foundation, a national conservation organization focused on sustainable forest management and facilitating family forest owners. The credits will be produced through AFF’s “Fields & Forests” program, an afforestation, reforestation and revegetation carbon project that collaborates with landowners across the U.S. to convert their underused fields into working forests. The Fields & Forests program is currently available to landowners in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina that have over 30 acres of unplanted fields and are looking to diversify their property. AFF said the program is tailored to small-acreage landowners who have historically been excluded from the voluntary carbon market due to high upfront costs and complexities attached to adopting such initiatives. In order to qualify for the program, landowners must own property that has not been forested for at least 10 years and commit to a 30-year enrollment period. Netflix’s partnership with AFF will support the project’s first 6,000 acres of land and spread the initiative across the U.S. South, which AFF said in a Sept. 3 release will provide “additional revenue streams to rural landowners while planting trees to combat climate change.”

“EPR sets the floor, but voluntary commitments are what are going to set the pace,” said U.S. Plastics Pact CEO Jonathan Quinn. Extended producer responsibility laws in the U.S. are setting a new bar for packaging. But don’t expect voluntary corporate goals to be rendered obsolete, some industry experts say. Numerous companies, including those aligned with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global commitment, previously pursued sustainability targets for their packaging portfolios that were pegged to 2025. These were largely related to reducing virgin plastic use or enabling packaging to be recycled, composted or reused. Ultimately, despite progress in some areas, many businesses reported notable gaps between ambition and reality.

The United States is Mexico’s top avocado export market and the destination for 80% of the 1.34 million metric tons — worth about $4 billion — predicted to be exported in 2025, according to a 2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture report. Ana Ambrosi, director of the Avocado Institute of Mexico, the industry groups’ corporate communications arm, told ESG Dive that the industry creates $7.5 billion in economic output in the U.S. and $6 billion in Mexico. APEAM and MHAIA, which represent 90 packers, 35,000 growers and 54,000 orchards, estimate that the industry supports 78,000 direct jobs in Mexico and more than 42,000 U.S. jobs, per the press release. Under the industry groups’ new commitment, orchards planted on land deforested between 2018 and 2024 will be able to qualify for the deforestation-free certification if they compensate for any lost ecosystem services, preferably through interventions in the environment rather than financial reparations, Ernesto Enkerlin, an environmental consultant for APEAM and MHAIA, told ESG Dive. As of 2026, orchards on land deforested from 2025 onward will never be eligible for export, per the announcement.

Earlier this year, a new study was featured in Scientific American magazine which revealed that microplastics, the tiny fragments of plastic that now permeate the air, soil, and water across the globe, and even our bodies, can reduce plant photosynthesis by up to twelve percent. Photosynthesis is the process through which all green plants, from rainforests to windowsill herbs, turn sunlight into sugar as food for themselves. It is this process that absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases oxygen. The implications of this process being hindered are stark. Forest ecosystems are paramount in storing carbon, regulating local and the global climate, and sustaining biodiversity. Now however, we learn that microplastic pollution is undermining this vital service. Our forests are already at severe risk from having their trees felled for farming, timber, urban structures, and more, but now we find that the ones left standing may be losing their ability to draw down carbon dioxide. This means if forests are rendered less effective by microplastics, our climate strategies may need to be accelerated even more.

The pilot project and technology development supports Packaging Corporation of America’s goal to capture and permanently store 1.75 million metric tons of biogenic CO2 per year by 2040. Packaging Corporation of America is advancing plans for carbon capture after a successful pilot project at an unspecified mill in the southern United States, according to the company’s recently released 2024 sustainability report. PCA began the carbon capture and storage pilot last October, and it continued into mid-2025, according to the report. These technologies catch carbon dioxide emissions and either reuse them or permanently store them to avoid entry into the atmosphere. “The results of this trial have been very promising, and we plan to proceed with a more detailed engineering and design study that will take around seven to nine months to complete. This study will provide us with a better idea of the capital cost and construction schedule for a large-scale facility,” said CEO Mark Kowlzan in the report.

Check out our friend Brian Kozlowski, Domtar sustainability leader in this documentary. https://www.domtar.com/sdg-leaders/ As a forest products manufacturer, Domtar is rooted in sustainability — from the forest floor to our finished products. That’s why we’ve been invited to join the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Leaders project, a series that profiles companies who support the 17 SDGs from the United Nations to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect the planet. We’re recognized for focusing on sustainability during the integration of our legacy companies, including this year’s launch of Domtar’s global sustainability policy, our 2030 Sustainability Strategy (built on specific SDGs), and our forthcoming 2024 sustainability report highlighting recent progress.

Portland, Ore. — Authorities in Oregon are trying to extinguish a fire burning in one of the world's tallest trees, near the state's southern coast. The Doerner Fir, a coastal Douglas Fir tree over 325 feet tall and estimated to be over 450 years old, has been burning since Saturday in Coos County in Oregon's Coast Range. An infrared drone flight on Tuesday showed no active flames or smoke at the top of the tree, but it detected heat within a cavity in the tree's trunk some 280 feet up, federal Bureau of Land Management spokesperson Megan Harper said. Figuring out how to approach the tree from the side to douse the cavity with water has been a challenge, Harper said. Various options have been discussed, including building scaffolding or climbing adjacent trees for better positioning, or letting it smolder and monitoring to see if it reignites. The fire may impact the tree's standing in global height rankings, Harper said. "We've lost about 50 feet of it, just from fire and pieces falling out," she said, noting that the 50 feet were lost through the top burning. "So I don't know where it'll stand after this, but it's still a magnificent tree."

One significant sticking point: the refusal of plastic-producing nations, including the U.S., to agree to production limits. Government negotiators failed to agree on a global treaty governing plastics after oil-producing countries balked at production limits and chemical phaseout timelines.  The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee that has shepherded the process through six meetings since March 2022 is promising to try again, but no date was set for future talks. First, it is up to the United Nations to identify a host country. The failure to create a global treaty leaves businesses — both plastics producers and companies heavily dependent on the material — to face an emerging mosaic of national and subnational regulations aimed at addressing the life cycle of the more than 460 million tons of plastic produced annually. The cumulative cost of the attendant fees is estimated to more than double between 2026 and 2040, surpassing $576 billion. That compares with approximately $279 billion under a global treaty, according to the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF.

Following 10 days of negotiations, Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) talks to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, adjourned early on 15 August without consensus on a text of the instrument. The Committee agreed to resume negotiations at a future date to be announced.   The meeting adjourned with a clearly expressed desire by Member States to continue the process, recognizing the significant difference of views between states.    “This has been a hard-fought 10 days against the backdrop of geopolitical complexities, economic challenges, and multilateral strains. However, one thing remains clear: despite these complexities, all countries clearly want to remain at the table.

On 6 August 2025, the world marked 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a catastrophic event that changed the course of history. Among the survivors of that tragedy were not only people, but also trees – the Hibakujumoku. These trees, exposed to the nuclear explosion yet resilient enough to regenerate, now stand as living symbols of peace, resilience, and hope. The story of the Hibakujumoku. The term Hibakujumoku is derived from Japanese: hibaku (bombed, exposed to nuclear radiation) and jumoku (tree or forest). These trees survived the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and were found within two kilometres of the epicentres – areas once believed to be unable to support life for decades. Despite the devastation, more than 160 trees, representing over 30 species, survived in Hiroshima. From these trees, seeds are collected and distributed worldwide, primarily through the efforts of Green Legacy Hiroshima, a volunteer organisation established in 2011. Their mission is to spread the legacy of the Hibakujumoku and encourage reflection on the relationship between nature and humanity.

Paper recycling is one of the most successful recycling systems in America. In 2024 alone, we recycled around 46 million tons of paper in the U.S. That’s 125,000 tons every day being turned into things like cardboard boxes, paper packaging and toilet paper.  That translates to a paper recycling rate of 60%-64% and a cardboard recycling rate of 69%-74%. Today, the paper industry recycles nearly 60% more paper than it did 35 years ago. Today, more than 2/3 of all paper recycled in the U.S. is turned into new products Americans rely on at mills nationwide. Nearly half of recycled paper, about 20.8 million tons, went into making containerboard in 2024. That’s the material used to make cardboard boxes. About 27% of recycled paper was exported. Paper mills around the world rely on our recycled paper exports to manufacture new products. The rest was used in the U.S. to make packaging for cereal or medicine, tissue products like toilet paper and paper towels, as well as printing papers.

Concerns for the environment may be at an all-time high, but consumer recycling compliance continues to fall. Shrinking participation notwithstanding, the curbside recycling chain is also plagued by infrastructure challenges and inefficiencies. Fascinatingly, major retailers have carved out ways to not only make recycling happen on a large scale, but they’ve also succeeded with efficiency not seen in the consumer recycling realm, especially in the realm of paperboard recycling. For insight into how retailers are able to achieve this success and how EPR legislation could impact it, Packaging Digest spoke to Myles Cohen, Founder of Circular Ventures, LLC, a renowned circular economy executive and ESG leader with in-depth recycling, waste, sustainable packaging, public policy, and government advocacy experience. Most major retailers bale and sell their used corrugated materials. Walmart reported that its US stores, including Sams, recycled a combined 5.8 billion pounds of corrugated in 2023. How are retailer recycling efficiencies faring vs. household recycling efforts?

As Congress prioritizes American manufacturing and global trade, it is time to recognize one of our most overlooked resources: the valuable materials sitting at the end of every driveway.  Each year, 37 million tons of recyclable household materials in the United States are landfilled or incinerated. That loss weakens our supply chains, drives up costs for American manufacturers and wastes taxpayer-funded resources. If we are serious about revitalizing domestic production, keeping dollars in local economies and strengthening U.S. competitiveness, we must modernize our recycling system and scale access for every household.   Recycling already delivers for American industry. Recycled content makes up 40 percent of U.S. manufacturing inputs. People across the country are doing their part: setting out blue carts, dropping off batteries, returning pallets. But the system supporting them is uneven. More than 41percent of Americans still lack access to basic recycling services, and billions in raw material value is lost each year as a result. Congress has a clear opportunity to lead. The bipartisan CIRCLE Act, introduced by Reps. Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), is a targeted, practical solution. It would create a 30 percent investment tax credit for businesses, nonprofits and individuals building or upgrading recycling infrastructure — from curbside collection to sortation and processing. The model is proven. Like the tax credits that fueled growth in solar and semiconductors, this approach will drive innovation, reduce risk for private investors, and build a stronger, more resilient domestic supply chain. We already know this investment pays off. According to The Recycling Partnership, a $17 billion commitment to universal recycling access would create more than 200,000 U.S. jobs, return $8.8 billion in materials to the economy and save taxpayers nearly $10 billion in five years. Few investments can match that return.

Recycling expert Myles Cohen reveals how major retailers are turning corrugated recycling into profit centers while preparing for EPR legislation. Private label brands, however, could take a hit. Concerns for the environment may be at an all-time high, but consumer recycling compliance continues to fall. Shrinking participation notwithstanding, the curbside recycling chain is also plagued by infrastructure challenges and inefficiencies. Fascinatingly, major retailers have carved out ways to not only make recycling happen on a large scale, but they’ve also succeeded with efficiency not seen in the consumer recycling realm, especially in the realm of paperboard recycling. For insight into how retailers are able to achieve this success and how EPR legislation could impact it, Packaging Digest spoke to Myles Cohen, Founder of Circular Ventures, LLC, a renowned circular economy executive and ESG leader with in-depth recycling, waste, sustainable packaging, public policy, and government advocacy experience. Most major retailers bale and sell their used corrugated materials. Walmart reported that its US stores, including Sams, recycled a combined 5.8 billion pounds of corrugated in 2023.

The spike comes after several years of trending in the right direction, according to the Apparel Impact Institute. Climate emissions leaped by 7.5 percent in a single year in the fashion industry, which now contributes nearly 2 percent of global climate pollution, according to a new report. The jump in greenhouse gases in 2023 — the most recent year for which full data is available — follows a slight decline of 1.17 percent in 2022, after several flat years. It’s the first time that the annual Taking Stock of the Roadmap to Net Zero report found an emissions spike since its began four years ago with a focus on 2019. Increased use of virgin polyester was a central culprit in the June 23 report from the Apparel Impact Institute (AII) of Oakland, California.

UPM has received a Platinum rating from EcoVadis for its sustainability performance, placing the company in the top 1% globally. The EcoVadis assessment evaluates performance across four categories: Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. UPM’s overall score rose by 5 points to an impressive 90 out of 100. In addition, UPM received an A score in CDP’s 2024 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA), which evaluates how companies engage their supply chains on climate-related issues. According to CDP, companies that actively involve their suppliers in climate change mitigation play a crucial role in the transition to a net-zero, sustainable economy.

Across the EPAT network, we’re seeing real action from partners working to raise the bar on sustainability. These are small steps that have a big impact. -Sappi North America continues to lead on certified fiber sourcing and transparent reporting. -UPM is investing heavily in decarbonizing mills and boosting renewable energy use. -Resolute Forest Products is expanding forest stewardship and climate risk reporting. Each of these moves helps EPAT users measure, manage, and share credible data on the environmental footprint of paper products - from forest to finished piece. We’re proud to support companies that don’t just talk about sustainability but back it up with clear, measurable actions. Better data, better decisions - for a lower-impact future.

Tetra Pak has joined the top 1% of companies achieving the highest possible rating in latest EcoVadis assessment Tetra Pak has achieved the highest EcoVadis sustainability rating, earning the prestigious Platinum medal in the globally recognised assessment. This demonstrates the quality of its sustainability management system and commitment to transparency throughout the value chain, placing Tetra Pak among the top 1% of over 130,000 companies assessed1 and representing a major milestone in its sustainability journey.  The rating underscores Tetra Pak’s efforts to integrate sustainability into the core of its business across all four EcoVadis assessment categories: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

Chillicothe's Pixelle paper mill, which is set to close in August, has a secondary function: it helps contain a toxic plume of cancer-causing chemicals underground that were spilled by a former cookware manufacturer decades ago. Ohio EPA records from 2022 indicated that if the paper plant closed, it would be a "worst case scenario." Chillicothe and state officials say there's no immediate threat to residents from the contaminants and efforts are being made to improve monitoring. A toxic underground plume of soil and groundwater has tested positive for extremely high levels of trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride for decades. The last report from the Ohio EPA released this month showed TCE levels at 15 times the "maximum contaminant level" for TCE and 100 times for the max for vinyl chloride. The Ohio EPA has been monitoring the well for decades since before the nearby WearEver alumninum cookware manufacturing plant closed in the 1990s. Pixelle, alongside WearEver's current owner, HowMet Aerospace, have worked together to operate wells that contain the contaminants.

Climate-smart packaging innovation is advancing through circular design, the increased use of recycled and renewable materials, and improved recyclability across the value chain. Design plays a pivotal role in minimizing packaging’s environmental impact and maximizing its compatibility within a circular economy, according to Michelle Fitzpatrick, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Graphic Packaging International. “Up to 80% or more of a product’s environmental impact is determined by decisions made during its design phase."

imberly-Clark UK & Ireland, manufacturer of leading household name brands including Andrex® and Kleenex®, becomes the first major consumer products company in the UK to make a significant commitment to green hydrogen, signalling its commitment to a more sustainable future. The company announces today that together with its energy partners, Carlton Power and HYRO (a joint venture between Octopus Energy Generation and RES), it is investing over £125 million into the emerging energy solution at its two plants in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and Northfleet, Kent. Combined, the two sites produce nearly one billion Andrex toilet rolls and over 150 million boxes of Kleenex tissues every year. Through the investment, Kimberly-Clark expects to see a 50% reduction versus its 2024 consumption of natural gas across its UK production lines from 2027.

he bill creates an investment tax credit for eligible recycling infrastructure and aims to complement state EPR policies, boost job growth and support domestic manufacturing. Supporters of a new investment tax credit bill are leaning into its bipartisan elements in an effort to boost recycling infrastructure spending across the country. The Cultivating Investment in Recycling and Circular Local Economies (CIRCLE) Act calls for establishing a 30% investment tax credit on private investments in certain recycling infrastructure, phased out over 10 years. Local municipalities that make similar investments would receive a direct rebate equal to the credit, according to the bill.

Allianz Stadium in London, UK, has become the first in the country to adopt a plastic-free and home-compostable drinks carrier at the recent England XV versus France XV rugby match. The rugby ball-shaped drinks carrier was developed by Notpla, a provider of seaweed packaging. “We’re proud to work with Notpla to deliver practical, visible steps toward a more sustainable matchday and event experience. This new drinks carrier is just one more example of how these changes, delivered at scale, can make a big difference for our fans and the planet,” says Gary Cargill, director of Catering Services, Twickenham Experience, at Allianz Stadium. “This kind of collaboration — with a venue willing to lead and a caterer committed to action — is how we make plastic-free stadiums a reality and really tackle the problem of single-use plastics head-on.

The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization dedicated to ridding the world’s oceans and rivers of plastic pollution, today announced a collaboration with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN). This collaboration will leverage AWS’s advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing capabilities to enable and accelerate The Ocean Cleanup’s goal to clean the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) and remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

Katherine Huded, The Recycling Partnership’s executive director of Material Systems. As more US states pass EPR legislation, PET thermoforming faces policy challenges, with some states labeling them “unrecyclable” due to…

With a population of about 3 million people, Toronto is not only the biggest city in Canada, but also the fastest-growing urban centre in North America. Its downtown core is a hub of…

UPM has been working systematically for the benefit of stream waters since 2016. Over the years, the objectives have become more specific and UPM is involved not only in releasing streams, but also in promoting research to better monitor the positive changes in biodiversity after restoration activities. From now on, UPM's stream water program will also include assessment of UPM-owned land areas in the catchment area. This means that forest management practices in the catchments of released or restored watercourses will be reassessed on a case-by-case basis. "Water protection is part of sustainable forestry. We can influence water quality already in the catchment area, on the forest side. In addition to adequate buffer zones for water bodies, this may involve, for example, restoring peatlands", says Miika Laihonen, Senior Environmental Specialist at UPM Forest. UPM's first own dam removal site was the old mill dam in Sapsokoski, which was demolished in 2020. The next site, the Arvajankoski dam in Jämsä, was demolished in summer 2022.

Beverage cartons have found a new life as part of a groundbreaking development for the automotive industry. With the launch of the latest model of Fiat Grande Panda, Fiat has become the first car manufacturer to incorporate recycled materials from used beverage cartons in a vehicle. Each Fiat Grande Panda contains recycled material from the thin layers of polyethylene and aluminium used in 140 beverage cartons. This recycled material is used inside the plastics of the car’s interior. Specifically, it is used in the central console, dashboard, interior front and rear door panels. PolyAl is a combination of polymers and aluminium components recovered during the recycling of beverage cartons. Beverage cartons are made of, on average, 70% paperboard, 25% polymers and 5% aluminium. This combination of materials is the key to aseptic packaging, where ultra-thin layers of aluminium and polymers protect the food or beverage inside, extending the product’s shelf life without the need for preservatives or refrigeration.

The American Forest & Paper Association released a statement after the Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law LD 1423, “An Act To Support and Improve Municipal Recycling by Updating the Stewardship Program for Packaging,” which includes measurable improvements to Maine’s existing extended producer responsibility (EPR) program. The full statement by AF&PA Vice President of Industry Affairs Terry Webber is below: "AF&PA applauds Maine Governor Janet Mills and state lawmakers for advancing LD 1423, which makes much needed improvements to the state’s EPR policy. “We appreciate policymakers’ measured approach while crafting this legislation. By working together, we can achieve our shared goal of improving recycling for materials with low recycling rates without disrupting the effective systems that are already in place for highly recycled materials, like paper and paper packaging products.

With sustainability as a core aspect of our business strategy, Lecta's 2024 Sustainability Report again underscores the company's progress in meeting targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) defined for 2030 in its ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) roadmap. "Lecta has made significant progress in sustainability this year, earning external recognition from organizations like EcoVadis and SBTi. As we continue working toward the environmental, social and governance targets set out in our road​map for 2030, Lecta remains focused on generating a positive impact. Our efforts are driven by a clear vision: creating a more sustainable future for the next generations", states Lecta CEO Gilles Van Nieuwenhuyzen.

The report affirms progress toward its 2K30 goals and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the Pregis Purpose: to Protect, Preserve, and Inspyre. In 2024, Pregis made notable progress across multiple areas of its sustainability strategy: *92% of operational waste was diverted from landfill and incineration *52% of total revenue came from sustainable products—defined as paper-based, biobased, or containing ≥30% recycled content *Matched the electricity consumption at 6 production facilities with renewable energy *38 million trees saved through sustainable material sourcing and innovation *130,397 lives positively impacted through clean water access, disaster relief, and community programs. “In 2024, we made progress that matters. The engine behind this momentum is our people. Their creativity, passion, and persistence power every milestone. In 2024 alone, our teams helped achieve measurable reductions in carbon emissions, diverted more waste from landfills, and scaled production of circular materials—all while continuing to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market,” said Kevin Baudhuin, Chairman and CEO of Pregis. “As we look toward the future, our focus remains clear: to create sustainable value for our customers, employees, communities and investors.”

This summer, Irving Woodlands is employing 121 tree planters and 28 tree planting staff to plant 28 million seedlings across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Maine. It marks a 10-million-seedling increase over 2024 – the boost in tree planting capacity buoyed by the fact that 38 tree planters and 17 tree planting staff are returning for another season. Returning employees bring with them a familiarity with processes, culture and expectations that contribute to increased productivity and efficiency. Irving Woodlands is committed to providing a positive and rewarding work environment and takes pride in its ability to retain top talent year over year.

22 new projects focusing on biodiversity management and restoration were selected for Metsä Group's Nature Projects funding programme. A total of EUR 600,000 was granted. A new focus in this year's funding was on increasing school cooperation. The aim of the funding programme for nature projects is to strengthen biodiversity outside commercial forests. A diverse range of projects received funding, including restoring stream waters, fighting against alien species, and strengthening of wetland nature and the status of bird waters. The new goal this year was to increase school cooperation. Funding was granted, for example, to the The Finnish Association of Nature and Environment Schools, Salo Upper Secondary School and Lastu School of Architecture and Environmental Culture, whose projects implement concrete measures that increase diversity and strengthen the nature relationship and understanding of biodiversity among children and young people.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is transforming the packaging landscape, and businesses across the entire supply chain must adapt to these new standards. Seven states—Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, Maryland, and Washington—have passed EPR bills, with Oregon set to collect its first fees in July 2025. As these regulations take effect, understanding how EPR works, who it impacts, and how your business can adapt is more important than ever. Read as we break down everything you need to know, from compliance strategies to the financial implications of packaging choices, ensuring you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

 California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, also known as the Senate Bill 54 (SB 54), has drawn criticism from businesses who oppose rising financial burdens, and environmental…

In the pulp and paper industry, achieving carbon neutrality is an ambitious but increasingly urgent goal that reflects the sector’s critical role in the global climate equation.  Carbon neutrality means…

Tighter enforcement: New guidelines reinforce the Competition Act’s amendments, mandating proof for environmental claims. Risk of major penalties: Fines for deceptive environmental marketing can reach up to 3% of global revenue or $15M per violation. Strategic…

Big changes are coming to packaging in the EU. The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will set stricter rules for recyclability, impacting businesses across industries. From 2030, all…

What Are Biofuels?  Biofuels are a class of renewable fuels derived from organic material known as biomass. These organic materials for biofuels include agricultural waste, corn, algae, and trees. Biomass…

by Phil Riebel, President, Sustainable Paper Group Inc. Sustainability reporting has become a cornerstone of credible environmental stewardship. For companies in the pulp, paper, and packaging sectors - industries that…

If you’ve been following the global conversation around plastic pollution, you’ve probably heard of microplastics. These small particles have turned up everywhere from the depths of the ocean to the…

The paper, pulp and print sector is one of the lowest industrial emitters of greenhouse gases, accounting for 0.8% of European CO2 emissions in 2022.[1] The paper industry’s carbon emissions…

When a devastating fire tore through Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in April 2019, it wasn’t just a building that was lost. It was a deep cultural and spiritual symbol, a…

Atlantic Packaging is a member of the Composting Consortium, led by Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy. The Consortium has just launched its 2025 Grant Program in collaboration with the US Composting Council (USCC) and the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). This initiative arrives at a pivotal moment for the U.S. composting industry, offering critical funding to help composters and municipalities expand their capacity to process certified compostable packaging and food scraps. While consumer demand for food waste diversion continues to rise, most composting facilities in the U.S. still only accept yard trimmings. This grant program aims to change that by supporting infrastructure upgrades, public education, and market development that enable the inclusion of compostable materials—helping to divert more food waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Funding can be used by eligible U.S. compost manufacturers and municipalities in various ways, including: *Installing new equipment to reduce contamination from conventional plastics *Conducting trials for compostable packaging inclusion *Updating signage and outreach materials to improve participation and reduce confusion

In a significant move towards RED III (Renewable Energy Directive), PEFC has been working on the development of the PEFC RED III standards; these standards were approved by the PEFC General Assembly on 8 May 2025. The vote in the PEFC General Assembly is a final step in the PEFC standard-setting process, which adheres to robust and stringent requirements in a participatory and inclusive way. The approval of the new standards by the highest PEFC decision-making body adds significant weight to the new PEFC RED III certification scheme, which has already received a positive technical assessment from the European Commission (EC) in April 2025. These new standards will enable PEFC chain of custody certified organisations seeking RED III compliance to obtain a PEFC RED III certificate and use the PEFC certification scheme to demonstrate that the forest biomass they use meets the relevant RED III sustainability criteria.

In a significant move towards RED III, PEFC has been working on the development of the PEFC RED III standards; these standards were approved by the PEFC General Assembly on 8 May 2025. The vote in the PEFC General Assembly is a final step in the PEFC standard-setting process, which adheres to robust and stringent requirements in a participatory and inclusive way. The approval of the new standards by the highest PEFC decision-making body adds significant weight to the new PEFC RED III certification scheme, which has already received a positive technical assessment from the European Commission (EC) in April 2025. These new standards will enable PEFC chain of custody certified organisations seeking RED III compliance to obtain a PEFC RED III certificate and use the PEFC certification scheme to demonstrate that the forest biomass they use meets the relevant RED III sustainability criteria.

Sonoco Products Company released its 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, marking its transformation into a more sustainable packaging company following the acquisition of Eviosys, Europe’s leading metal packaging manufacturer. The union significantly enhances Sonoco’s sustainability footprint, global reach and circular packaging portfolio with an additional 6,300 new employees and 45 facilities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Company is now a global leader in metal and fiber packaging, serving some of the best-known consumer and industrial brands, yielding measurable results toward sustainable solutions that achieve our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life. ® Renewable energy and energy efficiency investments have helped Sonoco advance towards its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets of 25% by 2030 from the 2020 baseline. They include solar installations in Hartsville, S.C., Texas, and Italy; high-efficiency turbo blowers in Stainland, U.K. and Subang, Indonesia; and a new biogas boiler in Subang.

It’s important for companies and consumers to understand the end-of-life pathways for paper materials, like paper recycling or composting, so that they can make smart choices. Exploring the compostability or biodegradability of various types of paper and the advancements in bio-based coatings can help organizations make informed decisions that align with environmental sustainability at a time when consumers are demanding sustainability and transparency around practices. When paper products are not recycled, they typically end up in landfills. In these anaerobic environments, organic materials like paper decompose slowly, potentially releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Alternatively, some paper waste may be processed through combustion with energy recovery, contributing to energy production but also emitting carbon dioxide. Recycling paper products, which can be collected and reused to make new products, is the ideal solution, but recycling infrastructure can vary from state to state, even city to city. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) estimate U.S. paper recycling at 65%-69%.

This document highlights the Company's unwavering commitment to responsible business practices, which have guided its vision and operations for decades. Today, Kruger is taking this legacy further by looking through the lens of sustainable prosperity. This holistic approach aims to reach a harmonious balance between economic growth, environmental health, and social equity to drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders, society, and the planet. "Sustainable prosperity requires us to act on all fronts, from fighting climate change and protecting our resources, to enhancing energy efficiency, cultivating a healthy work environment, supporting education, and forging strong partnerships with our host communities and Indigenous peoples. This report proudly presents our recent accomplishments across these critical areas while acknowledging the journey ahead." —Eric Ashby, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Kruger Inc.

The report details the sustainable approach Smurfit Westrock is taking in what was a milestone year during which Smurfit Kappa and WestRock combined to become a global leader in paper-based packaging. In addition to detailed, transparent reporting, assured performance data for the two legacy companies on specific key performance indicators is included in the report. The report also covers how it is delivering for its customers in providing sustainable packaging solutions such as the delivery of 16,000 recyclable bed frames for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The company also reported winning over 100 awards for its sustainable and innovative packaging solutions. Another highlight includes the raising of $2 billion in Green Finance. The report reflects the strength of the combination as Smurfit Westrock continues to put sustainability at the forefront of its efforts to drive both business success and sustainability results.

The global environmental non-profit CDP has published the corporate scores for 2024 disclosures. Out of 22,700 companies scored, only eight companies globally received the best Triple A rating across climate, forests and water security. Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, was one of these eight companies and the only forest industry company among these highest scored companies. This is the third time Metsä Board has received the prestigious Triple A rating. Metsä Board publicly publishes mill-specific measures towards its 2030 climate change and water use reduction targets in a detailed and interactive roadmap on the company’s website. Forest-related targets also support Metsä Group’s ambition to promote regenerative forestry.

The report shows progress in the key areas that support a circular use of plastic – an increase in the post-consumer recycled (PCR) content across the product portfolio as well as the product offering of a comparable alternative that is designed for recycling. Trioworld also reports an increase in the volume of the product portfolio offering a Loop alternative, meaning a product with a minimum of 25% PCR. “The 2024 report reflects our firm commitment to our sustainability targets and our role in driving the transition to a circular use of plastic, while navigating global economic headwinds and the adjustment to new policies and regulations”, says Oskar Karlsson, Chief Procurement Officer, and VP Sustainability at Trioworld Group.

NCCF’s Sustainable Forest Management System has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 13 May to 12 July 2025. NCCF, the PEFC national member in India, revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 13 May 2025 at 11:30 CEST. Register for the webinar at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/58cc7876-d603-4019-88a2-ba3f56272d5e@cd75f75a-3441-4da3-bd89-4b993277c652

Two Sides North America (TSNA), a non-profit organization advocating for the sustainable attributes of print, paper, and paper-based packaging, is pleased to announce Visual Media Alliance (VMA) as its newest member. This partnership highlights VMA’s commitment to tell the sustainability truths around paper, print, packaging, and direct mail to the greater industry and membership they serve in Northern California. “VMA is excited to be a new member of Two Sides, shared Shannon Wolford, Director of Sales and Membership. “We fully support their mission of dispelling environmental misconceptions regarding print, paper, and packaging. The content and research provided by Two Sides will be extremely valuable to VMA members as they strive to practice sustainable manufacturing. It is inspiring to know that we are part of a broader movement working toward a sustainable future.”

There is a need for additional protection of forests with significant nature values. By establishing a conservation foundation, Metsä Group wants to complement the conservation network and offer the forest owner compensation for forest sites of conservation value. The foundation will be established in the coming autumn, and its operations will start at the beginning of 2026. The conservation foundation supplements Metsä Group's services, with which the forest owner can strengthen the biodiversity of their forests. The conservation foundation focuses on the permanent protection of forests with high biodiversity value and thus supports the development of the forest conservation network. Metsä Group's impacts on biodiversity are greatest in commercial forests. The aim is to strengthen the state of nature of commercial forests through regenerative forestry measures, such as the Metsä Group Plus management model.

On April 3, 2025, Nature published a research paper titled “An Experimental Study on the Susceptibility of Purchasing Managers to Greenwashing.” The study shows that greenwashing—whether intentional or accidental—erodes trust in sustainability claims, even among experienced professionals. Its key finding: purchasing managers often struggle to distinguish between legitimate certifications and misleading environmental assertions. This highlights the growing urgency for clarity, verification, and third-party validation in environmental communications. As more companies position themselves as climate-conscious and socially responsible, the risks of overstating environmental progress—or failing to back up claims with hard data—are increasing. Even the appearance of greenwashing can undermine brand credibility, expose organizations to regulatory penalties, and stall genuine sustainability efforts. What Is Greenwashing? Greenwashing occurs when businesses exaggerate or misrepresent their environmental impact—whether deliberately or due to poor communication (OECD definition). For example, labeling a product as “eco-friendly” without measurable proof invites skepticism. Without robust frameworks to verify such claims, even well-meaning companies risk reputational harm, regulatory consequences, and loss of stakeholder trust.

At Stora Enso, we replace non-renewable materials with renewable products for the good of people and the planet. Using all of a tree resource-efficiently, we are experts in creating renewable materials that store carbon, can be recycled, and regenerate as new forest is planted. We accelerate the needed transition to a circular bioeconomy. On Earth Day 2025, themed “Our Power, Our Planet”, we are reminded of the crucial role of cutting our emissions to reinforce the circularity of our products. To strengthen the renewable nature of our materials, we set our ambition to align with the 1.5-degree scenario of the Paris Agreement in 2021. Our target is to halve the emissions from our direct operations and purchased energy (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030, compared to the 2019 baseline. This target was reached for the first time in 2024, when we achieved a 53% reduction in these emissions. A similar target is set for indirect Scope 3 emissions in the value chain, with the 2024 reduction at 39%. This milestone reflects our long-term commitment to proactive decarbonisation efforts through numerous smaller actions, such as: *investing in, and modernising production equipment for resource efficiency *switching to biofuels in production *use of renewable energy sources *powering our transport with biogas, electricity and hydrogen fuels *developing ways to monitor our performance to maintain and improve our progress

The SAFAS Regional Scheme has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this new regional system, will run from 5 May to 4 July 2025. SAFAS has expanded its forest certification system to become a regional system for Southern Africa. By providing the policy framework and administrative support, the regional system will enable other Southern African countries to develop their national sustainable forest management standard and achieve PEFC endorsement by joining the regional system. In addition, SAFAS has revised its national sustainable forest management standard to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations.

REI remains committed to bringing our voice and the power of our community to the fights ahead, cooperatively. Today, we are proud to announce that we are taking a leadership role in a new coalition, REI remains committed to bringing our voice and the power of our community to the fights ahead, cooperatively. Today, we are proud to announce that we are taking a leadership role in a new coalition, Brands for Public Lands. See video message at: https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/deepening-our-commitment-to-public-lands

The packaging industry is increasingly turning to post-consumer recycled (PCR) content to reduce reliance on virgin plastics and promote sustainability. A recent article from Packaging Dive highlights the efforts of industry players, including Atlantic Packaging, to leverage B2B closed loops, among other strategies, to increase supply. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities, as industry leaders share their insights on how to navigate this complex landscape. While studies cited in the article show that the majority of consumers surveyed agreed that companies should increase their use of packaging made from recycled materials, and more states are requiring increased use of PCR in plastic beverage containers, there are still obstacles including infrastructure challenges as a barrier to increasing the supply needed to provide consistency and quality. One of the primary concerns in using PCR in food-grade packaging is avoiding contamination in the recycling stream. Contamination can occur from seemingly small actions, such as placing a paper label on a plastic film, as Atlantic Packaging senior manager, Stewart Whitmire, notes in the article. This can significantly hinder the recycling process and reduce the quality of the recycled material. Therefore, careful consideration of the materials used in packaging is essential to ensure they do not contaminate the recycling stream.

Subaru of America is launching a nationwide tree distribution program in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. The initiative corresponds with National Arbor Day, which in the United States is the last Friday in April, although states observe the event on different days according to the best planting time. As part of the Subaru Loves the Earth initiative, Subaru retailers will provide 100,000 mature regionally appropriate trees in communities across the country, which will have tangible benefits for generations to come. This is the largest corporate event in the nonprofit’s history.

International Paper announced it exceeded its sustainability goal of conserving and restoring 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland. This milestone achievement enhances biodiversity protection, strengthens carbon sequestration, and supports sustainable land management, reinforcing the company's commitment to environmental stewardship and climate resilience. "We are thrilled to have surpassed one of our Healthy and Abundant Forest targets to conserve 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland by restoring nearly 1,158,00 total acres, and we did so six years ahead of schedule," said Sophie Beckham, Chief Sustainability Oficer, International Paper. "Reaching this milestone is a testament to the company's ongoing commitment to nature conservation and to the great work of our conservation partners." In 2024, IP reaffirmed our dedication to conserving forest ecosystems, nature and biodiversity with a $15.3 million investment to renew strategic alliances with key conservation partners including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. For over a decade, the Forestland Stewards Partnership has supported projects that, once complete, will restore, enhance or protect more than 2.2 million acres of southern forestlands. This initiative earned the 2024 Leadership in Sustainability Award from the American Forest and Paper Association, recognizing IP's collaborative approach to forest and wildlife conservation in Southeast U.S. forests.

Billerud’s annual and sustainability report for 2024 is from today available on the company’s website. The sustainability statement has been prepared in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Read the report at: https://www.billerud.com/globalassets/cision/documents/2025/20250327-billeruds-annual-and-sustainability-report-2024-en-0-5016394.pdf

Atlantic Packaging has elevated its support to become the newest Pinnacle Member of The Conservation Alliance (TCA), it was announced today by TCA Executive Director Paul Hendricks. “Since initially joining as a member of The Conservation Alliance in 2022, Atlantic Packaging has brought an important and unique voice to the work we do,” said Hendricks in making the announcement. “As a Pinnacle member, their elevated level of support will allow TCA to go above and beyond in our advocacy and grantmaking efforts to protect our most cherished wild places.” Founded nearly 80 years ago, Atlantic Packaging has consistently pioneered innovative solutions within the packaging industry, placing sustainability at the forefront of its mission. Through its global initiative, A New Earth Project, Atlantic showcases a deep commitment to the health and well-being of future generations by accelerating regenerative business practices and advancing responsible packaging solutions. Atlantic’s longstanding industry leadership, combined with A New Earth Project’s collaborative network of athletes, artists, and conservationists, uniquely positions the company to amplify the impact of this Pinnacle membership and drive meaningful conservation outcomes.

The UK is preparing to roll out a new packaging levy under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme—a move that will shift the financial burden of packaging waste management from taxpayers to the businesses that produce the packaging. With the potential to raise up to £2 billion annually, the policy is designed to encourage companies to adopt more sustainable packaging and improve recycling infrastructure. However, it also raises concerns about increased costs for both businesses and consumers. One of the most significant effects of the EPR scheme will be on the types of packaging businesses use. Since fees are based on the weight and recyclability of packaging materials, companies will be financially motivated to switch to materials that are easier and cheaper to recycle.

Aptar was recognized for its actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and further the low-carbon economy, based on the data reported by the Company through CDP’s 2024 corporate questionnaire. In 2024, over 700 financial institutions with over 142 trillion USD in assets requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities through CDP’s platform. A record-breaking 24,800 companies responded. Through significant demonstrable action on climate, Aptar is a leader in corporate environmental ambition, action and transparency worldwide. “We are proud to be recognized by CDP as a leader on climate related topics. Our actions that demonstrate our continuous efforts in this area, and the products and solutions we provide, play an important role in improving everyday life for consumers and patients around the world,” said Stephan B. Tanda, Aptar President and CEO. “As we focus on the future, we intend to continue our efforts on reducing climate risks and increasing actions that lead to a more sustainable future.”

AptarGroup, Inc. announced that it has entered into a renewable energy supply agreement with Mercuria Energy America. This agreement reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and provides a more localized source of renewable energy dedicated to Aptar. Beth Holland, Aptar’s Chief Sustainability Officer, remarked, “We have already achieved over 95% annual sourcing of renewable electricity within our operations with a target of sourcing 100% by 2030. By entering into this partnership with Mercuria, we are taking the next steps along our Carbon Transition Plan.” As shared by Philippe Robert, Aptar’s Chief Procurement Officer, “In addition to sourcing 100% renewable electrical energy, Aptar is committed to increasing the portion of Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) in its electricity mix as a collaborative approach to increasing the availability of renewables where we operate.”

In its annual report, Stora Enso reports the seedlings planted in own forests or delivered to other forest owners: a little over 20 million of the seedlings end up in our own forests in Sweden, and more than 19 million were planted on private forest owners’ lands in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the Baltics. In addition, we delivered approximately 23 million seedlings to other external customers, such as other forestry companies. Forest regeneration is a crucial part of even-aged forestry – the most common forest management method in Northern Europe. When new trees are planted after final fellings, we make sure there will be new forest growing to replace the felled trees. This is also required by law. Planted seedlings are grown in nurseries – both in Store Enso’s own nurseries in Sweden as well as by suppliers in Finland and the Baltics. The seedlings are grown from seeds produced in tree breeding programmes to enhance growth and other characteristics over time. These programmes are set up to ensure that the tree seedlings will be fit to the environmental conditions in the forest, now and over the decades to come.

UPM Specialty Papers is proud to announce that its packaging papers have been certified as recyclable according to both European CEPI and U.S. WMU testing methods. All UPM barrier papers, barrier base papers and flexible packaging papers have successfully passed the new CEPI recyclability test. These papers are technically recyclable in a recycling mill with conventional process according to CEPI-Scorecard version 2.0 (January 2025). The certified papers according to CEPI method include: •Barrier papers: UPM AsendoTM, UPM AsendoTM Pro, UPM ConfidioTM, UPM ConfidioTM Pro •Barrier base papers: UPM PregoTM, UPM SolideTM Lucent •C1S packaging papers: UPM UniquePackTM, UPM UniquePackTM Strong, UPM FlexPack TM

According to recent life cycle assessment* conducted by Metsä Board, switching from white-lined chipboard (WLC) to Metsä Board’s folding boxboard can reduce the carbon footprint of food packaging by over 60%. The LCA study, which compared MetsäBoard Classic FBB to corresponding grades available in European markets, was verified by the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. The reduction in carbon footprint is possible due to the high share of fossil-free energy used in Metsä Board’s manufacturing process and the light weight of fresh fibre paperboards. Although Metsä Board folding boxboards are typically lighter than similar products made of recycled fibres, they retain the durability and functional properties of traditional heavier grades thanks to the fresh wood fibres used in their production.

UPM is participating in the NorthDIVeRSITY project led by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), which is developing eDNA (Environmental DNA) tools for monitoring fish and forest species suitable for the Nordic nature. The project aims to find more effective methods for monitoring the effects of restoration, for example, by studying species distribution before and after restoration. "New methods for assessing environmental biodiversity are needed to complement traditional ones. eDNA is a promising alternative for monitoring fisheries, for example, but its performance in northern conditions needs further development," says Pauliina Louhi, Senior Researcher at Luke. One of the project's research sites is located in the Kelvänjoki river and its catchment area in Lieksa, North Karelia. Kelvänjoki flows into the Pielinen river. In the summer of 2024, the old mill dam on the Ala-Kelvänjoki river was dismantled and the rapids were restored. UPM's stream water program was one of the funders of the restoration site. Different kinds of samples were taken from the water body before the restoration started, and monitoring will continue in the coming years.

Solenis LLC, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, is proud to honor Sappi’s Ehingen mill in Germany with the 2024 Solenis Sustainability Award. This recognition highlights the mill’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, optimizing resource use, and enhancing operational efficiency through innovative fiber use strategies and strength-improving additives. Producing liner packaging grades that meet the physical demands of the packaging market requires a delicate balance between fiber composition and sustainability choices. To optimize pulp utilization, Sappi partnered with Solenis to implement a customized chemical strength system that had a positive impact on strength levels measured by short-span compression testing (SCT).

The first-ever PEFC Trees outside Forests certificate was issued to the municipality of Zwolle in the Netherlands, marking a milestone in recognising the importance of urban trees. In the Netherlands, PEFC Trees outside Forest (TOF) certification is a game changer for sustainable urban forestry. It acknowledges the vital role of trees outside of traditional forests, from city parks to roadside plantings and offers municipalities the unique opportunity to protect their green capital and actively contribute to the circular economy. “Sustainability doesn't stop at the forest edge. In the Netherlands, half of the trees grow outside traditional forest areas, significantly contributing to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. Certification of these trees is therefore crucial, particularly as governmental organisations and companies nearly always require certified materials,” explained Marten de Groot, National Secretary of PEFC Netherlands.

Amazon is using proprietary artificial intelligence solutions to help ensure its buildings contribute to corporate net-zero carbon goals. The online giant is helping its buildings conserve water and improve energy efficiency using AI-based tools built on its Amazon Web Services (AWS) hosted cloud platform. This effort is part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge to operate more sustainably and be net zero carbon across its entire business by 2040. Amazon’s suite of AI-based tools that enhance the efficiency of its buildings and utility management systems include FlowMS, which tracks and traces water leaks. In addition to FlowMS, Amazon built the Base Building Advanced Monitoring (BBAM) tool. It leverages the AWS machine learning tools Amazon SageMaker and Lambda to monitor the company’s HVAC systems.

The biggest wind turbines yet installed in North America are set to soon be turning near the small town of Mulgrave, Nova Scotia. Construction is now underway on the $450 million Goose Harbour Lake development, a project featuring 24 giant seven megawatt (MW) machines supplied by German manufacturer Nordex. The 168 MW wind power project in eastern Nova Scotia is being co-developed by the UK’s RES and Port Hawkesbury Paper (PHP), whose local pulp and paper mill accounts for up to 25 per cent of the provincial grid's peak demand. Once power starts flowing to the grid in 2026, the Goose Harbour Lake wind farm will be the largest operating in the Canadian Maritimes. The project will meet roughly 60 per cent of power demand at PHP, a major local employer, while cutting provincial greenhouse gas emissions by more than 350,000 tons a year.

Lecta has achieved DIN CERTCO industrial compostability certification for its EraCup Natural paperboard, an innovative product for food service applications. Why is this certification important? The certification ensures that compostability claims are scientifically validated and that items are accepted in industrial composting facilities, unlike "biodegradable" products that may not fully degrade. In addition to the recyclability certifications already obtained, this new certification guarantees that the product contributes to the circular economy without leaving any harmful residue.

Cardboard is one of the most recycled materials in the U.S. It is collected from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sources. From the shipping box at your doorstep to large appliance packaging and produce bins at the grocery store, cardboard recycling plays a crucial role in the paper industry. In 2023, nearly 33 million tons of cardboard was recycled, resulting in a cardboard recycling rate of 71% -76%. That’s about 90,000 tons per day—a staggering amount of material being diverted from landfills. Collected cardboard is first sorted and non-cardboard material is removed. After it is processed, it is sent to paper mills. Recycled cardboard is used at paper mills to produce new packaging materials. Around half of all recycled paper went into making containerboard—the material used to make cardboard boxes – in 2023. Additionally, about 80% of U.S. paper mills use some recycled paper to create new products.

Stakeholders globally are invited to give their feedback on the new PEFC RED III standards, developed to enable organisations to demonstrate compliance with RED III requirements and make RED III compliant declarations. RED III, the European Union’s (EU) Renewable Energy Directive 2023/2413, is the revision of the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001 (RED II Directive). RED III raises the overall target of the renewable energy shares and strengthens the sustainability criteria set out for biomass. RED III also tightens the requirements of data reporting throughout the supply chain and ensures the setup of the Union Database at the Commission level to collect data from organisations via recognised voluntary schemes.

A few years ago at a PRINTING United Alliance’s Digital Packaging Summit, a panelist from Microsoft explained that the company vets every printer and converter it works with by looking for a statement of sustainability on the company’s website. What happens if there isn’t one? It doesn’t do business with that company. While that might seem like an extreme example, Gary Jones, vice president of Environmental, Health, and Safety Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance, explains that with new regulations and legislation being passed on a regular basis, there has been a “transition from sustainability being a ‘nice thing to do’ to a ‘must thing to do.’” That’s why it’s important to have a sustainability plan in place and to be prepared to speak with your customers about it on a deeper level. “Customers easily see through empty sustainability initiatives,” Jones says. “In addition, some of them are hiring sustainability professionals that will be asking the hard questions. To have a productive conversation with customers that have sustainability as a key initiative is to be prepared with a genuine and transparent message.”

Mactac was awarded Critical Guidance Recognition (CGR) for its polypropylene (BOPP) pressure-sensitive labels with CHILL AT® hot-melt adhesive for flexible polyethylene (PE) film packaging materials. The labeling solution exceeded voluntary requirements for APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition, meeting the most stringent, industry accepted criteria for design features that affect plastics recycling. Mactac is the first manufacturer to hold CGR for a hot-melt adhesive for flexible PE. Mactac was also the first to earn CGR for a hot-melt adhesive for polypropylene (PP) recycling applications in 2024, and for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers in 2023. “Achieving the APR’s Critical Guidance Recognition is an important step in our Simply Sustainable® initiative to promote a more circular economy,” says Kim Hensley, Senior Marketing Manager, Mactac Performance Adhesives. “Mactac was the first label manufacturer to offer a hot-melt adhesive solution for HDPE and PP recycling applications, and now we are the first to earn recognition for PE flexible recycling applications. We are proud of our commitment to improve sustainable practices and promote recyclability.”

Metsä Group has updated its 2030 sustainability targets. The update includes both changes to existing targets and new targets focusing on logistics emissions, personnel diversity and occupational safety, for example. Sustainability targets are part of Metsä Group’s strategy work. “We are updating our ambitious targets and reinforcing our commitment to fossil-free operations, the improvement of the state of forest nature, an inclusive and ethical corporate culture and occupational safety,” says Anni Kovanen, Metsä Group’s Director, Sustainability Management. The targets were last updated two years ago, when measures improving forests’ biodiversity and health as well as measures promoting fossil-free production were added to them.

Many business owners striving to adopt eco-friendly practices have begun to view direct mail and other responsible paper use with skepticism based on false information and “greenwashing.” However, the paper and mailing industries have long been proactive in implementing sustainable practices that not only mitigate environmental concerns but also contribute positively to our planet’s health. The paper industry has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. In the U.S., over 1 billion trees are planted annually, with the industry playing a significant role in these reforestation efforts. This dedication ensures that forested areas remain stable, supporting biodiversity and contributing to carbon sequestration. Forests are pivotal in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂), acting as significant carbon sinks. Recent studies indicate that global forests absorb approximately twice as much CO₂ as they emit annually, sequestering around 7.6 billion metric tons of CO₂ each year.

Hood Container has joined Box to Nature program – Paper and Packaging Board’s (P+PB) residential recycling program. Developed by P+PB in collaboration with participating paper and corrugated manufacturing companies and industry partners, Box to Nature is an initiative where box manufacturers work with e-commerce brands to print a graphic on their boxes that encourages consumers to recycle. The Box to Nature graphic provides specific instructions on how to easily recycle (empty, flatten, recycle), and features a QR code that directs them to Box2Nature.org where they will find memorable, easy-to-recall messages to encourage recycling habits. When the message was tested before launching the program, 75% of consumers indicated they would be more likely to recycle their e-commerce box after exposure to the graphic. The goal is to increase the estimated 40% residential box recycling rate 1 (The Recycling Partnership) and recapture more fiber to make new paper-based products. Brands also get a positive lift in perception among consumers due to the association with their choice to use sustainable, recyclable paper-based packaging.

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an international non-profit organisation that promotes environmental transparency by encouraging organisations to disclose their environmental impact. It is highly recognised for its structured approach, broad participation, and strong support from the investment community. The CDP assesses data from over 22,000 companies, ranking them on their transparency, tangible action and environmental leadership. Based on data reported through CDP's 2024 climate change questionnaires, Tetra Pak was among the small number of companies that achieved an 'A' score, which it has done for the fourth time in five years. As part of its climate change mitigation strategy, Tetra Pak is working with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to achieve net-zero GHG emissions across scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2050 across its value chain. As of 2023, the company reduced the total absolute GHG emissions across the full value chain by 20% compared with a 2019 baseline. Over the same period, it reduced emissions from its own operations2 by 47%, as well as upstream emissions3 by 21% and downstream emissions4 by 17%5.

Billerud is placed on CDP's top A-list in the “Climate” category out of a total of nearly 25,000 companies globally reviewed in 2024. "Billerud's ranking is both honorable and a testament to our systematic and long-standing sustainability work that is world-class in a global comparison. Production in our European operations is almost fossil-free. We are now continuing our journey to reduce fossil emission in the American operations," says Ulrika Wedberg, EVP Sustainability & Public Affairs at Billerud. "Billerud's high-performance products in renewable paper and packaging materials also contribute to a fossil-free society by replacing other materials," continues Ulrika Wedberg.

At the recent United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) event, “Who Pays? For the Implementation of Sustainability-Driven Regulations”, Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, took the stage to shed light on how smallholders - and the entire supply chain - can navigate the European Union’s new sustainability regulations, particularly the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and how they can benefit from PEFC certification. Thorsten identified three primary challenges that smallholders face under new regulatory frameworks such as the EUDR: Compliance - Smallholders often struggle to understand exactly what they must do to comply. Cost - Meeting new regulatory requirements can be prohibitively expensive for small producers. Support - Capacity-building is essential, yet fragmented guidance and resources leave many smallholders unsure of how to implement necessary changes.

MM Group has once again been recognized for its outstanding environmental stewardship, earning leadership ratings (A-) from CDP two years in a row for Climate, Forests, and Water Security. During 2024, CDP collected data from 2023 to determine that MM’s efforts again deserve the leadership distinction. The CDP ratings underscore MM Group’s commitment to transparency, responsible resource management, and continuous environmental improvement. MM Group’s unique approach to integrating recycled and virgin fibre production enables precision control over manufacturing inputs, ensuring transparency and accountability across climate, forestry, and water security metrics. Through strategic investments and rigorous environmental management, MM has proven it can set and achieve ambitious sustainability targets. CDP’s repeated recognition amplifies the company’s unique voice as a trusted industry leader.

A collaboration of four parties is working on a major demonstration project to recycle stretch film, a flexible plastic wrap. This is despite frequently being told, “No customer will ask for it.” The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) supported the parties with the CPNL subsidy and acted as a discussion partner. “Showing people that it is possible”—this, alongside sustainability, is one of the key motivations for Jolien Stevels to participate in the SKILLS project. Stevels is the Director of Research & Development at Trioworld, a producer of packaging solutions. SKILLS stands for Closing the Loop on Industrial LLDPE Stretch Film. “Customers don’t ask for recycled stretch film because they believe it’s not possible. But if you place a roll on the table, they will start asking for it. We all have great faith in this project.” Stevels quickly convinced three other key players in the supply chain to join her firm belief that recycling stretch film is possible. Stretch film has become a crucial and highly demanded product for securing goods on pallets—ensuring they are transported safely, securely, and efficiently. This means there are significant opportunities for improvement within the industry.

By the end of 2024, Stora Enso achieved a 53% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, surpassing the target of a 50% reduction by 2030 from the 2019 base year. This milestone reflects the Group's long-term commitment to proactive decarbonisation efforts. In 2021, Stora Enso set its ambition to align with the 1.5-degree scenario of the Paris Agreement with a target of absolute Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction by 50% by 2030 from the 2019 base year. The 53% reduction by the end of 2024 is mainly attributed to mitigation measures, such as fuel switches and improvements in energy efficiency, and the impact from site closures. While Stora Enso acknowledges this progress, the Group's target is to maintain this level until 2030 and explore opportunities to further improve. “I am pleased to share this progress on our path towards net zero as part of our long-term commitment to sustainability. Through driving efficiency in the way we work, we are able to reduce our climate impact and support our customers achieve their climate ambitions,” says Hans Sohlström, President and CEO, Stora Enso.

Sustainability is a top priority for consumers, so aligning your business with these values is crucial for building long-term loyalty. Transparency, authenticity, and a commitment to sustainable practices are essential for maintaining customer trust and relevance in a competitive marketplace. Companies like REI (SGP certified facility) exemplify how prioritizing sustainability can drive loyalty while responding to shifting market demands. 1. Understanding Consumer Expectations - Today’s consumers are increasingly focused on sustainability. 2. Aligning Business Practices with Customer Demands - To build trust and loyalty, sustainability needs to be embedded in your business practices. 3. Employee Engagement in Sustainability - While sustainability often starts at the top, fostering a culture of sustainability within your organization is essential. 4. Leveraging Sustainable Supply Chains - A sustainable supply chain is a necessity for meeting consumer expectations and building credibility.

This achievement highlights Ahlstrom’s strategic and systematic efforts to reduce climate impact across the value chain while reinforcing our dedication to transparency and action in tackling climate change. CDP’s evaluation is based on comprehensive disclosures covering climate strategy, targets, governance, risks and opportunities, and concrete actions taken over the previous year. The score reflects the meaningful progress Ahlstrom has made in cutting emissions and motivates the company to accelerate its efforts even further. "We have made significant strides in reducing emissions through our energy transition program. Since 2021, our Scope 1 and 2 absolute emissions have decreased by 16.2%, demonstrating the tangible impact of our initiatives. In 2024, we further strengthened supplier engagement to drive down Scope 3 emissions, reinforcing our commitment to reducing carbon footprint across the entire value chain," says Johan Lunabba, Vice President, Sustainability and Public Affairs at Ahlstrom.

On 7 February 2025, the global environmental non-profit organization CDP recognized UPM with an A score for its leadership in corporate transparency and action on climate change mitigation, and an A- for forest and water stewardship. On 11 February 2025, UPM was recognized in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook as one of the top 10% performers in its industry. “We see sustainability as one of the most important drivers of growth and competitiveness, and we are seizing the opportunities presented by sustainable consumer choices and stricter regulations,” Sami Lundgren continues.

Two Sides North America (TSNA), a non-profit organization advocating for the sustainable attributes of print, paper, and paper-based packaging, is pleased to announce RWT Production, LLC as its newest member. This partnership highlights RWT Production’s dedication to sustainability within the direct mail and print industries. “At RWT Production, we recognize the crucial role that direct mail serves in many successful fundraising and marketing initiatives. Aligning with Two Sides North America complements our mission to provide our clients with sustainable and effective print solutions for their campaigns,” stated Jeff Thomas, Director of Business Development at RWT Production. “Together, we can further promote the essential role of direct mail and its environmental responsibility.”

The European Union’s SUP Directive May Pose Unintended Challenges for Non-Plastic Packaging. Fibre-based packaging manufacturers are unclear about how the European Union’s Single Use Plastic (SUP) Directive, adopted in 2019, will impact their business. As it applies to specific measures for minimizing litter from single-use plastic and “plastic”-containing packaging, the Directive has taken effect through national legislation. Still unclear is how the directive applies to fibre-based packaging that uses small amounts of plastic as a protective layer for perishable items. For example, cartonboard cups incorporate an internal layer to keep liquid products from seeping through the cartonboard; and fibre-based food containers often include a plastic barrier to protect the food from oxygen and to keep food oils from leaking through the packaging.

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change, forests and water security by global environmental non-profit CDP. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2024 Climate Change, Forests and Water Security thematic questionnaires, Metsä Board is one of a small number of companies that achieved a triple A, out of over 22,000 companies scored. This is the third time that Metsä Board scored the prestigious triple ‘A’. “We have ambitious sustainability targets including 100% fossil free production and products, and reduced process water use by the end of 2030. In our wood supply, we promote regenerative forestry practices to strengthen the status of forest nature. The high score in CDP assessments year after year is a confirmation on the positive progress of our systematic work," says Mika Joukio, CEO of Metsä Board.

Metsä Group has completed a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of its Kuura textile fibre. The assessment shows that Kuura’s global warming potential (GWP100, fossil) score is less than one-third of the next best option, viscose. The Kuura project is currently in a demonstration phase. The new textile fibre is being developed by Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring. The LCA was made by Etteplan. The LCA study and comparison to alternative cellulosic fibres were critically reviewed by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. GWP is a term used to describe the relative potency, molecule for molecule, of a greenhouse gas, considering how long it remains active in the atmosphere. Kuura's GWP is only one-fourth of cotton fibre and up to over 80 percent lower than the impact of the closest reference commercial product, lyocell fibre.

2024 was yet another year of high seedling deliveries from SCA. Nearly 100 million seedlings were delivered to private forest owners and SCA's own forests. "It feels good to be able to contribute with seedlings of high quality that provide good growth in Sweden's forests, and thus significant climate benefits," says Thomas Vestman, head of NorrPlant, SCA's seedling operations. In 2024, SCA delivered almost 100 million seedlings, which is slightly fewer compared to the previous year. "It was a good delivery year, despite the prolonged winter. But when summer arrived, it came early in May which put our nurseries in full speed. We see, however, that more and more customers choose to plant in August, which has now become our largest delivery month. That’s good, because it’s perfectly fine to plant well into the autumn," says Thomas Vestman.

CDP assess companies based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks and demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership. Improving corporate awareness through measurement and disclosure is essential to the effective management of carbon and climate change risk. “It is a strong endorsement of the approach and actions we take on climate change that we are a CDP Climate Change ‘A List’ company. We are committed to a continued focus on reducing emissions in our own production, as well as across our value chain in line with the Science Based Targets initiative’s 1.5-degree pathway.” says Toby Croucher, Chief Sustainability Officer.

For more than 100 years, FPAC (formerly the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association) has provided a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, paper and wood-based bioproducts producers in government, trade and environmental affairs. Its member companies also help develop action plans that advance Canadian forest health while supporting workers, communities and the environment. “Domtar and its predecessors have been member companies for many, many years,” says Derek Nighbor, FPAC’s president and CEO. “Today, Domtar operates mills all across Canada. Each region faces unique challenges, so the geographic diversity of our relationship with Domtar and their engagement across all key function areas has been great. Together, we’ve done a lot of work on forest management policies, environmental priorities, transportation, Indigenous relations and more.”

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has been recognised with an ‘A’ score for both climate change and forests in CDP’s 2024 disclosures. CDP also awarded Mondi an ‘A-’ score in the third category of water. These scores earn Mondi a place on CDP’s annual A List for the sixth consecutive year, demonstrating the Group’s leading sustainability practices. "We are delighted to have maintained our position on CDP’s A List. Our top scores for transparency on climate change and forests reflect our commitment to taking action on climate and our understanding of the link between climate action, sustainable forestry and water security in driving progress that reduces our impact. We are working to reduce our GHG emissions in line with our science-based Net-Zero targets, upholding our zero deforestation commitment across our supply chain, and prioritising water and biodiversity as key focus areas of our sustainability efforts." Gladys Naylor, Head of Sustainable Development at Mondi

According to a recent Metsä Board study, optimising the choice of paperboard can notably reduce the carbon footprint of packaging for beautycare and cosmetic brands. The assessments*, conducted by Metsä Board and verified by the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, demonstrated the significant carbon footprint reductions achieved by switching to Metsä Board’s fresh fibre paperboard, compared to grades representative of European markets. According to the recent life cycle assessment study, switching from a solid bleached board (SBB) to Metsä Board’s folding boxboard can reduce the carbon footprint of packaging by over 50%, while replacing folding boxboard can achieve a 40% reduction or even higher. The compared grades represented board grades available in European markets.*

Stora Enso is proud to announce that its NeoLigno bio-based binder is integral part of ECOR Global’s new product line, a groundbreaking fully bio-based, recyclable and formaldehyde-free board. This innovation meets the increasing demand for healthier, recyclable, high-performance materials, particularly in furniture and flooring manufacturing. The collaboration partnership between Stora Enso and ECOR Global underscores a shared vision for advancing sustainability and high climate ambitions. By replacing traditional fossil-based binders with NeoLigno, ECOR Global has successfully created a product free from formaldehyde and isocyanates, eliminating harmful chemicals while delivering performance. The two companies’ technical collaboration is leading to additional breakthroughs solidifying their commitment to sustainability.

Tetra Pak has received the Environmental Initiatives Award at the 2025 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards for its Approach to Nature framework. The SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement and Leadership) Award recognises Tetra Pak’s framework as an industry-leading example of how major companies can leverage their expertise to guide and collaborate with partners throughout the value chain to realise their own sustainability goals and address regulatory requirements.  Tetra Pak launched its comprehensive Approach to Nature framework in 2024 to address nature-related impacts across the value chain. This ambitious approach is built upon concrete actions and more than 20 measurable targets and practical actions, defining the company's contribution to halting and reversing nature loss, supporting the restoration of ecosystems and enhancing water security. As well as internal goals and actions, the framework also addresses supplier and customer nature-related impacts, including those connected to packaging end-of-life.

International technology group ANDRITZ has acquired ATN Engineering B.V., a Dutch company specializing in advanced recycling technologies. This strategic acquisition strengthens ANDRITZ’s position as a global leader in recycling solutions by adding ATN’s state-of-the-art degassing and de-oiling systems to its portfolio. ATN Engineering is recognized as an innovator in the recycling sector with its unique drill head system, which enables the safe and efficient removal of hazardous oil and gas from end-of-life refrigerators. The company also supplies feeding logistics and equipment for the recycling of industrial coolers, air conditioning equipment, and heat pumps. ATN provides engineering, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and servicing of recycling equipment. To date, the company has delivered more than 200 degassing units worldwide.

We are revising the PEFC Project Certification requirements to respond to stakeholder needs, add value to companies, and align them with the latest version of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard, and we are looking for your feedback! Project certification provides independent verification of the use of certified timber in construction and other projects with a defined time and site. This survey aims to gather your valuable feedback to help improve these requirements. It is part of a broader effort to increase global demand for PEFC project certification and the procurement of PEFC-certified materials. Take part in the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JKCG3QR

UPM Raflatac and WWF Poland have renewed their contract to build a smarter future beyond fossils together. During the new three-year contract period the collaboration will focus on enabling the development of circular economy and promoting privately protected areas, especially wetlands in Poland. The three-year contract will also involve UPM Raflatac's internal and external stakeholders to increase engagement and support for these two important initiatives given the challenges we are facing today. “As part of the packaging value chain, we are constantly looking for ways to promote circular economy not only through our product and service offering, but also through collaboration. We are also committed to climate-positive forestry and enhancing biodiversity as well as sharing our expertise and assets with the communities in which we operate,” says Vera Bartsch, Director of Sustainability Development, UPM Raflatac.

The European Commission has officially recognised PEFC as a RED II compliant certification scheme. Companies in the forest biomass supply chain and energy producers from forest biomass fuels will be able to use PEFC RED II certification to comply with RED II obligations. More specifically, PEFC RED II certification has been formally recognised by the European Commission (EC) to demonstrate the compliance of consignments of biomass fuels derived from forest biomass, ligno-cellulosic processing residues from forest related industries, and ligno-cellulosic waste with the sustainability criteria laid down in Article 29(6) and (7) of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II).

We are hosting two information sessions to keep you updated on EUDR developments. Register today and join us on Thursday, January 16th for one of the following sessions: • Option 1: 9:00-9:40 EET (8:00-8:40 CET) • Option 2: 16:00-16:40 EET (15:00 - 15:40 CET). During the information session we will cover: • Updates to EU Deforestation Regulation • UPM’s implementation and EUDR compliance • Q&A from audience. register at: https://www.upmpaper.com/campaign/eudr-information-session/

Two Sides North America (TSNA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Love Paper Campaign, an innovative initiative to educate and inspire consumers about the sustainability, versatility, and everyday benefits of paper-based products. Now accessible at www.lovepaperna.org, the campaign highlights the essential role of paper in our lives, from books to pizza boxes, magazines to milk cartons. The Love Paper Campaign provides fact-based insights and practical tools to make informed decisions about supporting sustainable print, paper, and paper-based packaging. “At Two Sides North America, we’re passionate about sharing the story of paper as a renewable, recyclable, and responsible choice,” stated Jules Van Sant, Executive Director of TSNA. “The Love Paper Campaign is designed to inspire confidence in paper-based products and dispel misconceptions about their environmental impact, helping consumers recognize the vital role paper plays in building a sustainable future.”

Amcor has again been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI): Australia Index (DJSI Australia), recognized for its commitment to environmental, social and governance sustainability performance. Amcor ranked within the top 12% of the packaging and containers industry, reaffirming its leadership position in the sector. “This recognition is particularly meaningful to us – not only because it happens in the country in which we were founded 165 years ago, but also because it highlights our progress in providing responsible packaging that benefits both our customers and the Earth,” said Tracey Whitehead, Amcor’s global head of investor relations. “We remain steadfast in driving innovative change and revolutionizing product design across a wide range of materials to deliver more sustainable packaging solutions for our customers.”

UPM has been listed as the only forest and paper industry company in the Dow Jones Global and European Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the years 2024-2025. “We are committed to creating value for our customers by using sustainable, renewable resources, reducing our environmental footprint, and increasing our positive societal impact. Sustainability is a core strategic value for UPM,” says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility at UPM. This commitment is strongly visible in the company’s updated strategy published in September. UPM’s business portfolio is based on sustainable feedstocks and fossil-free energy, positioning the company for growth in renewable fibres, advanced materials, and decarbonisation solutions, while graphic papers continue to generate strong cash flows.

Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, is the concept where brand owners, producers, and material manufacturers pay for the end-of-life costs to recycle or dispose of products they put on the market. Types of EPR are in place in countries around the world, including in Europe and Canada. It’s also in place in the U.S. too. Fees for producers vary based on the EPR program. Generally, fees might help cover: Material collection; Waste disposal; Technology upgrades; Educational materials; Program administration; Development of recycling end-markets.

Last week, we held the latest instalment of the PEFC alignment to EUDR webinar series, sharing news from the European Commission as well as the roll out of the new PEFC EUDR compliance support solution. With our PEFC experts Hubert Inhaizer (Sustainable Forest Management), Maja Drca (EU Affairs), Marta Martínez Pardo (Chain of Custody), and Rob Shaw (Data and Integrity), we touched on the alignment of our Sustainable Forest Management benchmark, the PEFC EUDR DDS module, partnerships with technology experts to ensure data management, and the latest new from the Commission. If you missed the webinar, you can see the recording at: https://pefc.org/news/on-the-path-to-eudr-alignment-see-our-webinar-recording

For the printing industry and its supply chain, embracing sustainable practices is not just a smart business decision—it’s essential for our future. Reducing your carbon footprint is one of the most impactful ways to contribute to a healthier planet while ensuring long-term business success. The following five strategies are practical, actionable, and designed to make a significant difference for businesses of all sizes. 1. Track Your Emissions - Before you can reduce your emissions, you need to know where they originate. 2. Implement Energy Efficiency Measures - Improving energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions. 3. Reduce Waste - Reducing waste is a key component of sustainability. 4. Update Your Machinery - Modern machinery often incorporates innovations in automation and energy efficiency, making it more environmentally friendly than older models. 5. Validate Your Carbon Emissions and Reductions - Third-party validation of your carbon emissions and reductions adds credibility to your sustainability efforts.

The new PEFC RED II standards are a significant move towards PEFC providing companies with a tool to demonstrate their compliance with the RED II sustainability and greenhouse gas saving criteria across the European Union (EU). These new standards will enable PEFC chain of custody certified organisations seeking RED II compliance to obtain a PEFC RED II certificate and use the PEFC certification scheme to demonstrate that the forest biomass they use meets the relevant RED II sustainability criteria.

In an exciting collaboration between Wilfa and Papira® by Stora Enso, the wood-based packaging of the ProBaker kitchen mixer becomes a masterpiece creating a recipe for a more sustainable future. A collaboration that requires no compromise on either company’s strong focus on design, quality, safety and innovation. Who knew sustainable materials could look this good? Norwegian company Wilfa is dedicated to environmental responsibility and is actively seeking sustainable alternatives in packaging materials. With their ProBaker kitchen mixer they needed a solution that could meet their demands on sustainability, without compromising on protective features and design. “We will always try to challenge some established truths and technologies. The ProBaker has been developed together with professional bakers and users, and we’re becoming the favourite of advanced and demanding home bakers! When Stora Enso reached out to us with Papira®, we found this to be a perfect match for the ProBaker”, says Arnt Sandvik Nilsen, Category Director at Wilfa.

Tetra Pak has received the ‘Resource Efficiency’ Award at the Sustainable Packaging News Awards 2024, for its paper-based barrier material innovation. The awards recognise the most innovative advancements in sustainable packaging over the past year. A world-first in the carton packaging industry, the paper-based barrier when combined with plant-based polymers, reduces the carbon footprint of aseptic food packaging by up to one-third, while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and performance. The carbon reduction achievement has been verified by the Carbon Trust.1

Metsä Group introduces voluntary nature compensation measures in its environmental deviations. Part of regenerative forestry, nature compensation overcompensates the harm to nature resulting from any legal violations. The operating model ensures that corrective measures linked to defective performance result in greater benefit than harm to nature. Nature compensation will be applied in matters related to the Nature Conservation Act and the Forest Act – key legislation in terms of biodiversity. The development of the compensation model is ongoing, and it will be applied retrospectively from 2023 for deviations detected. During 2025, an independent expert group invited by Metsä Group will participate in the determination of nature damage and compensation measures for these sites, while the operating model's methods are developed for the future.

Billerud’s new Science Based Targets have been officially approved, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to contributing to a low carbon society. This approval highlights Billerud’s ambition to lead the industry in producing high performing, renewable paper and packaging materials. As part of this commitment, Billerud has committed to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030, using 2022 as the baseline year. “We have already made significant progress in European operations, and while continuing our efforts there, the largest reductions going forward will come from our North American operations. We have established plans including a dedicated organization and the necessary investments to achieve these targets,” says Ulrika Wedberg, EVP Sustainability & Public Affairs.

Pregis® has taken a transformative step toward its 2040 net-zero pledge. In 2024, the company will match 100% of the electricity consumed at six facilities with wind power. The sites selected primarily produce curbside recyclable paper mailers. This milestone reduces market-based scope 2 emissions by over 4,000 metric tons of CO2e annually—the equivalent of driving from New York City to Los Angeles 3,723 times. This renewable energy initiative accelerates the company’s comprehensive decarbonization strategy, which includes: *Transitioning all global operations to renewable energy *Enhancing energy efficiency and electrification in manufacturing *Expanding on-site solar energy installations *Innovating sustainable products with lower carbon feedstocks

With a joint investment of around €3 million by Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams, a new recycling plant is set to start operations in Ittervoort (The Netherlands) in the second half of 2025. The facility will handle the non-fibre component (polyAl) from used beverage cartons, boosting the recycling capacity in the European Union (EU). Strategically located near the Belgian and German borders, the plant has the potential to process the entire volume of polyAl from beverage cartons recycled in Belgium and The Netherlands, and part of the volume from Germany. Featuring an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes, this second Dutch plant complements the existing 8,000-tonne capacity at Recon Polymers’ facility in Roosendaal, marking a significant increase to the region’s recycling capacity. It also adds to the existing and well-established recycling infrastructure in the EU, where beverage cartons are recycled in 20 specialised paper mills, with polyAl currently processed by ten facilities.

November 27th, the European Parliament approved the revised text of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). It means that the legislative process for the new regulation is soon finalised. What remains is the approval by the Council and then publication in the EU Official Journal by the European Commission. Since the European Parliament in April approved the provisional agreement made with the Council, the text has been on a legal and linguistic revision. One important change in the revision concerns the general obligations for re-use of transport packaging in Article 29 paragraph 1. It has now been clarified that the requirement applies in total and not for each of the listed packaging formats. The obligation on economic operators using transport packaging, or sales packaging used for transportation is that at least 40% in total of the listed packaging types must be reusable within a re-use system from 1 January 2030,.

As many brands have made commitments to using more sustainable packaging, a top priority tends to be shifting to recyclable or compostable packaging where possible. For brands who rely on flexible plastic films for their packaging, this can pose a challenge because of the lack of infrastructure in the U.S. to recycle these films through curbside programs. Given this challenge, companies are left with a few options to shift their packaging to: 1. Curbside-recyclable, fiber-based flexible packaging. 2. Compostable flexible packaging. 3. Rigid plastic packaging that is generally accepted for curbside recyclability. 4. Store drop-off, mono-material PE plastic. In other words, switching to an SDO-eligible film is just one option companies have when considering how to make their plastic film packaging more circular. So, when does it make the most sense to switch to each kind?

Electronic communication is often presented as a “green” alternative to paper. Emails, cloud storage, or online bill payment and account management offer quick, cheap, and efficient options to paper-based communication and record-keeping, but the high environmental costs of the ever-expanding digital infrastructure are becoming harder to ignore, with its rising energy consumption and significant use of resources like rare-earth minerals and water. It’s essential to explore the overlooked environmental consequences of electronic communication and to understand the true sustainability of digital solutions versus paper-based alternatives. The push for digital communications, data storage, and other trends have led to enormous server farms that run 24/7, consuming staggering amounts of electricity. For example, a report in The Times (UK) revealed that the water consumption required for ChatGPT is four times higher than previously estimated. Additionally, tech giants like Google and Amazon seek new energy sources, including nuclear, to power their data centers. These centers are critical to electronic communication and data storage and now account for a significant portion of global electricity consumption.

Walmart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced a 10-year, $34.5 million renewal of the historic Acres for America conservation program. This new commitment from Walmart, combined with previous contributions, represents the largest corporate donation to NFWF since the Foundation’s creation by Congress in 1984, for a total of more than $100 million since the program began. Acres for America began in 2005, when Walmart U.S. made its first commitment of $34.5 million to NFWF to fund the conservation of one acre of wildlife habitat for every acre of land developed in the United States — estimated to be approximately 138,000 at the time. Over its 20-year history, Acres for America has far surpassed that goal, with more than 2 million acres of wildlife habitat protected — an area greater in size than the combined land area of Rhode Island and Delaware.

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear called upon the nation’s heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers to abandon their agreement with California regulators to abide by the state’s increasingly untenable and unachievable zero-emission vehicle regulations. “By strong-arming our industry into unachievable targets and timelines void of operational and economic reality, the California Air Resources Board’s mad dash to zero has set our industry up for failure, sowing the seeds of another supply chain crisis,” Spear wrote in a letter to the nation’s truck and engine makers. “California’s ideological approach has cratered the truck market; sales are down by over 50 percent compared to last year. Availability of California-certified diesel engines are hard to come by and expensive, rationed due to zero-emission truck sales requirements.”

The Green Innovation Awards, held at SIMEI's 30th edition in Milan, recognized Amcor Capsules’ business for its innovative products advancing packaging in the wine and spirits sector: *ESSENTIELLE, the industry's first plastic-free aluminum and paper sparkling foil. By replacing plastic with paper, the carbon footprint of this product is 31%* lower compared to standard complex foils, while the aluminum component is designed to be recycle-ready. *STELVIN® Goes Greener was recognized for achieving up to a 35%** reduction in carbon emissions compared to a standard screw cap produced with European aluminum sheets by incorporating up to 46%*** recycled and low-carbon primary aluminum.****

The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council has recognized Green Bay Packaging Inc. at the Green Master level within its Green Masters Program®. Recognizing Wisconsin businesses that are prioritizing sustainability, the Green Masters Program® categorizes participants into four status levels that reflect the degree to which sustainability has been integrated into their business model: Adapting, Advancing, Maturing, and Green Master. Green Master status signifies that an organization has identified and is effectively managing its material sustainability issues and performance related to those issues, takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability, and is actively leading the transformation to a more sustainable society. Green Bay Packaging (GBP) continues to lead in sustainability, propelled by innovative initiatives and cutting-edge technology, consistently pushing the frontiers of environmental stewardship. At GBP’s Wisconsin 100% recycled paper mill, a biogas generator for increasing onsite renewable electricity was installed to further decarbonization. Company-wide, GBP grows trees on more than 250,000 acres of sustainably managed forests, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable forest practices with benefits to environment and communities. GBP continues its zero waste to landfill initiative, with 99% landfill diversion across paper converting, folding carton, coated products (Green Bay) and lumber operations.

In an important step towards ensuring the raw materials coming out of a PEFC-certified forest comply with EUDR requirements, the revised PEFC Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard was approved by the PEFC General Assembly on Wednesday 13 November 2024. This revised standard, PEFC ST 1003:2024, comprises several new and amended requirements that will enable EUDR alignment for PEFC-certified material coming directly from a PEFC-certified forest. This marks an important step in our PEFC roadmap to EUDR alignment.

Mativ announced the release of its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, the company’s first comprehensive, enterprise-wide report following the publication of its 2022 ESG Tear Sheet earlier this year. The 2023 report provides an in-depth look at Mativ's key achievements and ongoing initiatives in environmental sustainability, product stewardship, and social and governance topics, including workplace health and safety, ethics and integrity, and more. “At Mativ, we’re committed to creating long-term value for our shareholders through continuous improvement and an intense focus on good business practices,” said Julie Schertell, president & CEO of Mativ. “This report highlights the progress we’ve made advancing our environmental, social and governance efforts at all levels of our business and sets the stage for future advancements. By openly sharing our approach and achievements, we’re building trust with our stakeholders as we continue to grow responsibly.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that 65-69% of paper available for recovery in the United States was recycled in 2023. The 2023 paper recycling rate is the first using AF&PA's updated methodology, which utilizes extensive industry data, subject matter expertise and detailed U.S. trade data to account for the continued shift of the U.S. balance of trade towards imports. The 2023 calculations show that paper remains one of the most highly recycled materials in America, with the industry recycling nearly 60% more paper today than it did in 1990 when initial recycling rate goals were established.

Diversey has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NatureLoop, a Kuala Lumpur-based organization dedicated to addressing the global plastic waste crisis. The partnership focuses on upcycling single-use plastic waste into new, useful products. Amrinder Sethi, country business director for the Philippines and Malaysia at Diversey, and Brandon Chong Chee Wing, Founder and CEO of NatureLoop, formalized the collaboration. The signing was witnessed by Sherif Fahmy, vice president for Southeast Asia at Diversey, and Siew Zhi Zhou, designer and production manager at NatureLoop. As the global plastic waste problem intensifies, this collaboration aims to transform used plastic containers from Diversey customers into sustainable products like coffee tables, stools, wall clocks, tissue boxes, sports medals, and decorative items. Under the MOU, NatureLoop will collect between 200 to 500 kg of empty plastic containers from Diversey customers each month, with support from Diversey Malaysia. These containers will be processed at NatureLoop's local facilities to create high-value upcycled products.

Prioritizing packaging made from recycled materials that can be recycled again simplifies sustainable choices for consumers. The easier the process, the more likely consumers are to participate — reducing the chances that packaging ends up in landfill. However, that doesn’t mean there is a simple solution for businesses as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. By exploring various options, businesses can strike a balance between functionality and sustainability. Ultimately, the choice of packaging depends on factors like cost, environmental impact, operational fit, and consumer preference. Sustana offers solutions like Sustana EnviroLife™, a sustainable recycled fiber designed for food-safe packaging, which balances durability with eco-friendly practices. By thoughtfully choosing and innovating packaging options, businesses can support sustainability while meeting their operational goals.

Huhtamäki Oyj has signed a EUR 450 million sustainability-linked syndicated multi-currency revolving credit facility loan agreement (“RCF”) with a maturity of five (5) years. The RCF refinances an existing EUR 400 million sustainability-linked syndicated revolving credit facility signed in January 2021 and will be used for general corporate purposes of the Group. The RCF has two one-year extension options at the discretion of the lenders. The Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners of the RCF are Citi, Nordea Bank Abp, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), BNP Paribas, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Danske Bank A/S, DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch, J.P. Morgan SE, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale, OP Corporate Bank Plc., Raiffeisen Bank International AG and Standard Chartered Bank AG.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recently announced the results of its 2024 Sustainability Awards, and Domtar was among the winners. Our winning project was our water conservation program, which began as a pilot program in 2023. It will save more than 1 billion gallons of water annually and contribute to our goal to reduce water use by 20 percent per unit of product by 2030 (compared to a 2019 baseline). AF&PA’s Leadership in Sustainability — Water Management award recognizes our efforts to reduce our water usage as part of our overarching sustainability goals. “Sustainability is foundational for our members, and our awards program reflects that,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock in a recent press release. “These award-winning projects demonstrate sustainability leadership and innovation in action. We are proud to recognize real-world examples of how our forest and paper industry sustainability goals come to life.” We launched our award-winning water conservation program in 2023. We dedicated a portion of capital spending solely for water-reduction projects. This water reduction fund was designed to attract innovative projects and ideas from teams within the Domtar network. Mills could submit proposals for a chance to earn a portion of the available funds. “The projects didn’t need to provide a financial return. The priority was saving water,” explains Brian Kozlowski, senior director of environment and sustainability for Domtar’s Paper and Packaging business unit. “That gave our employees the chance to think beyond the bottom line, and they really did!” The results from 2023 were impressive. The water conservation program completed ten projects at seven mills that will save more than 1 billion gallons of water annually. That’s enough water to fill more than 1,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The 2023 Mondi Group Sustainable Development (SD) report is once again ranked among ‘Top performers’ in the latest Reporting matters edition. We have maintained our position among the leaders in transparent and effective sustainability reporting since 2018. Over 180 sustainability reports were assessed this year as part of the long-standing World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Reporting matters assessment. The analysis highlighted that Mondi Group’s 2023 SD report clearly included a robust discussion of the impacts of external and regulatory trends. Other notable highlights mentioned were that our MAP2030 sustainability framework and the progress against it are presented in a clear and comprehensive manner, with creative design elements helping readers navigate the report and access key information.

​​In accordance with its ESG strategy and in line with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) methodology, Lecta calculates its organizational carbon footprint (OCF) and its product carbon footprint (PCF) providing a comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from its operations. On both targets, Lecta has reduced its emissions every year since 2021. This effort has in turn enabled it to commit to ambitious group-wide CO2 emission reduction targets. Lecta has set a 45% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 35% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, compared to the 2021 baseline. To solidify its commitment to decarbonization, Lecta has already submitted its reduction targets to SBTi for validation in September 2024. This strategic move underlines the company's commitment to transitioning to a resilient, net-zero economy based on scientific principles.

Tredegar Corporation announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of Terphane, its flexible packaging films business headquartered in Brazil, to Oben Group. Commenting on the sale, John Steitz, Tredegar’s president and chief executive officer said, “The sale of Terphane completes a strategic goal that we’ve been working on for well over a year. We believe that Terphane will have greater scale and growth opportunities with Oben, a global player in the highly competitive flexible films industry. We wish the best for the employees and stakeholders of Terphane and Oben.” Gonzalo Belaunde, Oben’s chief executive officer, said, “We are pleased to complete the acquisition of Terphane. We believe that combining our capabilities will improve the service and quality provided to our customers and markets. We welcome Terphane to the Oben team.”

“PEFC has been promoting nature-positive and people-positive sustainable forest management for the past 25 years, and the structures that we have put in place can be scaled up to bring even more forests under sustainable management,” said Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) yesterday. Speaking at the side event “Sustainable Forest Management: Key to Biodiversity” he explained that not only about a quarter of the world’s production forests is certified under PEFC, but also one million smallholders have achieved PEFC certification. Smallholders manage a significant portion of the world’s production forests. Recent estimates suggest that smallholders are responsible for managing around 25% of all production forests globally. This highlights the crucial role they play in sustainable forest management and the broader forestry sector, and PEFC has successfully made certification accessible to them.