Aunt Fannie’s becomes Plastic Neutral

Sustainable housekeeping cleaning and pest solutions manufacturer Aunt Fannie’s has become certified Plastic Neutral via its partnership with rePurpose Global, the world’s first Plastic Credit Platform.

As part of this programme, Aunt Fannie’s will collect, process, and recycle nature-bound plastic waste.

Every Aunt Fannie’s product purchase this year and beyond will also carry a net zero plastic footprint.

As part of the initiative, Aunt Fannie’s will fund the removal of at least 227,540lb of low-value plastic waste that ends up in landfill or the oceans each year.

The company is also assisting the Multi-Layered Plastic Packaging Recovery project in Aurangabad, India through its partnership with rePurpose Global.

It will collect and process hard-to-recycle waste streams such as chocolate wrappers, chips packets, and similar flexible packaging items.

Virginia Senate passes state-wide ban on single-use plastic foam products

The Senate of Virginia has voted to impose a ban across the state over the use of plastic foam cups and take-out containers.

Introduced by Delegate Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, the bipartisan bill has now been passed in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly.

The bill is yet to be signed into law. If successful, it would make Virginia the sixth state in the country to ban polystyrene foam takeout containers.

Virginia will be the third state within 12 months after New York and New Jersey to pass such a ban.

The bill forbids food vendors such as restaurants, food trucks, and grocery stores from packaging prepared foods in polystyrene containers.

However, it will not affect packaging for unprepared foods, including coolers used in food shipments or unprepared food packages, such as raw or uncooked meat, fish, or eggs.

Smurfit Kappa launches new packaging system for TopClip product

Corrugated packaging company Smurfit Kappa has introduced a new packaging solution, TopClip, for its sustainable paper-based alternative for shrink wrap.

TopClip is a fully plastic-free and 100% renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable product used to bundle multi-packs of cans.

The additional TopClip packaging system is designed for smaller brands and completes Smurfit Kappa’s end-to-end solutions for the product.

According to the company, TopClip now caters to the requirements of beverage companies of all sizes. TopClip will be available to consumers in the Czech, Polish, and Slovakian markets.

Stora Enso’s Oulu mill begins production of AvantForte kraftliner

Finnish pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso is producing high-quality krafliner for the packaging market at its Oulu paper mill.

The new kraftliner, AvantForte, has three fibre layers. It is suitable for packaging applications, such as fresh, fatty, or moist food, as well as e-commerce packaging.

The new product is the result of the completion of a €350m conversion project that began in May 2019.

The project involved the conversion of former paper machines into high-quality kraftliner for packaging.

The company also modified Oulu pulp mill to manufacture unbleached kraft pulp.

Berry Global launches new PET spirit bottle for ecommerce market

Plastic packaging products manufacturer Berry Global M&H has announced the introduction of a new polyethylene terephthalate (PET) spirit bottle designed for the ecommerce market.

The postal 50ml PET bottle has been developed in response to the growing opportunities for online spirit sales and the popularity of gin.

It comes in both round and square designs and offers a premium image for the beverages.

The lightweight bottle can be adapted via a range of printing and labelling options to meet individual brand requirements.

In addition, it can specify different levels of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content to meet customers’ demand for sustainable alternatives to achieve their goals.

Ball, Bud Light bring infinitely recyclable aluminium cups for Big Game

Global sustainable aluminium beverage packaging company Ball presented its infinitely recyclable aluminium cups at the Big Game 2021.

The Ball Aluminum cups were available to guests at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida in partnership with Anheuser-Busch beer brand Bud Light.

Fans can also get hold of the cups at major events and venues in the US and buy online.

Ball noted that a total of 21,000 16oz and 20oz aluminium cups were available across the stadium during this year’s Big Game.

Bud Light’s collaboration with the packaging company will contribute to Anheuser-Busch’s 2025 sustainability goals.