Global brands consortium NextWave Plastics has announced consumer technology company Logitech and ocean-bound plastic suppliers Prevented Ocean Plastic and #tide ocean material have joined the network. NextWave Plastics is a consortium of multinational technology and consumer brands to collaborate and promote transparency to help decrease the volume of plastic litter by developing a global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains. A growing number of its member companies across a range of industries are collaborating to reach their shared goal of diverting a minimum of 25,000 metric tons ..read more

A circular economy is fundamentally different from a linear economy. To put it simply, in a linear economy we mine raw materials that we process into a product that is thrown away after use. In a circular economy, we close the cycles of all these raw materials. Closing these cycles requires much more than just recycling. It changes the way in which value is created and preserved, how production is made more sustainable and which business models are used. These aspects are explained in more detail below. From new raw materials to value preservation. The circular system and the linear system di ..read more

From April 2022, a new tax on plastic packaging will be in place in the UK. Which products will be affected, how much is it, what penalties and sanctions are in place if manufacturers don’t comply, and what steps should the industry be taking now? Disclaimer: The below notes reflect opinion and views as of 02/11/2021 and is a general summary of the legal position in England and Wales. It does not constitute legal advice. Many of us make efforts to reduce our plastic usage in one way or another, but the UK government has now taken steps to target manufacturers and importers of plastic packagin ..read more

Almost one in five consumers (19%) have said they would not buy from online retailers who do not use sustainable packaging, according to a survey published today (1 November, 2021). UK consumers share their experiences of opening online deliveries. The survey was completed by 600 people over the summer and covered online purchases from the fashion, food & drink, home & garden, and health & beauty sectors, with products ranging from cosmetics to large home appliances. With national lockdown restrictions in place throughout the first part of 2021, consumers increasingly turned to th ..read more

VCI paper will provide corrosion resistance for metal products for up to two-year shipping and storage cycle provided the goods are fully wrapped, packaged and stored in a cool dry area. But why VCI paper: VCI Paper, or Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor, paper emits molecules that settle on metal surfaces and form an invisible layer that protects from corrosion. It protects by interrupting the electrochemical corrosion process caused by moisture, oxygen and contaminants in the atmosphere. Designed to protect against rust and tarnish primarily of ferrous metals, VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor ..read more

A global multi-participant project has been launched to address polypropylene (PP) in the plastics recycling stream. Various 3D grocery products isolated on white Data suggests that PP accounts for around 20% of the world’s plastic, mostly used in pots, tubs, trays and films for food packaging. It is also prevalent in non-food household and personal care products, which complicates recycling the 700,000 tonnes/ annum used in the UK alone. PP packaging usually either goes to waste-to-energy, landfill or being down- cycled into low-performance applications. Additionally, the absence of food-grad ..read more

Researchers carried out the study in response to world leaders and the WHO questioning whether masks were effective. Wearing surgical masks can significantly reduce the chances of those with COVID-19 infecting others, researchers have claimed. According to a study by a team in Hong Kong, the rate at which the virus was transmitted through airborne particles or respiratory droplets was lowered by as much as 75% when masks were used. “The findings implied to the world and the public is that the effectiveness of mask-wearing against the coronavirus pandemic is huge,” leading microbiolo ..read more

Static Electricity As the name implies, static electricity is electricity at rest. The electrical charge is the transference of electrons that occurs when there is sliding, rubbing, or separating of a material, which is a generator of electrostatic voltages. For example: plastics, fiber glass, rubber, textiles, ect. Under the right conditions, this induced charge can reach 30,000 to 40,000 volts. When this happens to an insulating material, like plastic, the charge tends to remain in the localized area of contact. This electrostatic voltage may then discharge via an arc or spark when the plast ..read more

A&A Packaging’s Featherpost Bubble Lined Mailers come with easy Bubble liner separation allowing this product to be 100% recyclable! Along with full FSC ( Forest Stewardship Council® ) certification. Featherpost Bubble Lined Mailers, an economical and practical lightweight postal bag. Designed to accommodate most requirements from small items, such as jewellery and watches, to larger or multi product mailings. Available in 12 standard sizes and 3 colours. Custom printing available. Protection given by Sancell air bubble cushioning. Lightweight construction reduces postal costs. High slip ..read more

And why it matters for your business If you’re interested in starting an environmentally sustainable business, you’ll have to think about whether your products or packaging are biodegradable. For such a common term, though, there is plenty of confusion about what it actually means. So, what does it mean for something to be biodegradable? In basic terms, the definition is simple: If something is biodegradable, then, given the right conditions and presence of microorganisms, fungi, or bacteria, it will eventually break down to its basic components and blend back in with the earth. Ideally, but ..read more