Flexible packaging's recyclability was discussed at the FPA Annual Meeting. Alison Keane highlighted labeling challenges due to varying state guidelines. National legislation may be required. Dan Felton echoed this in a column for Packaging Strategies.

With April 20 approaching, we invited Contempo Specialty Packaging’s Michael Markarian to discuss sustainable packaging options for the cannabis industry, which faces some unique packaging challenges.

The contradictory labeling laws in California versus other states underscore the need for a more consistent and unified approach to packaging labeling regulations across the United States.

Packaging Strategies spoke with Thomas Blaige, founder of Blaige Industry Analytics LLC, and Ron Giordano, a senior executive adviser at Blaige, to get an overview of M&A in the packaging industry.

I recently stumbled across an article on LinkedIn News titled, “34 Big Ideas that will change our world in 2024.” Even before reading the article, I thought, “I bet at least one of these 34 Big Ideas pertains to packaging.” I was right.

With more and more consumers shopping online and receiving packages in the mail, brands must work to convey messaging they once may have tried to accomplish through retail displays.

Now and then I like to reflect on how the packaging industry intersects with my personal background. This seems especially appropriate now since it was approximately one year ago that I became Chief Editor of Packaging Strategies.

In September, my wife and I did a half Ironman relay. While waiting for my wife to finish the swimming portion, I struck up a conversation with a cyclist who was with team Rockit™ Apple. Inevitably, the conversation eventually turned to packaging.

Meeting face-to-face with packaging leaders and innovators at PACK EXPO Las Vegas provided valuable context and nuance that official news releases don’t offer.

Nine months into 2023, there is still a lot of work to do as far as reducing consumer confusion surrounding eco-friendly packaging – and reducing unnecessary packaging “waste” going to landfills.