UK retailer launches trial at two stores to sell 45 produce products without packaging for one month; aims to keep reducing amount of packaging and ensure recyclability
News Article
March 29, 2019
News Article
April 14, 2022
Spain passes comprehensive waste reduction regulation, eases the way for reuse
New Spanish waste law includes extensive waste reduction measures and targets across the entire supply chain; bans bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates in food packaging; mandates food providers offer tap water for free and accept reusable containers if customers bring them; 20% of floor space in large grocery stores must be for food without packaging; establishes extended producer responsibility scheme and bottle-to-bottle recycling program
News Article
February 28, 2019
Walmart to reduce plastic packaging waste
Retailer announces new commitments to reduce plastic waste; targets private brand packaging improvements including improved recyclability, increased recycled content, eliminating PVC
News Article
September 7, 2020
Zero Waste Cities webinar series
Monthly webinars to feature expert presentations and discussion panels between October and June 2020; address topics such as COVID-19 pandemic impacts on zero waste, packaging-free stores, and effective systems for reuse; registration free
News Article
August 3, 2023
Canada and Germany propose plans to reduce plastic, support reusable packaging
Canada proposes large grocery retailers implement measures to reduce food contact plastics; includes removing plastics from certain products, reuse/refill, and recycling targets; Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment drafted a similar law; Canadian government seeking feedback from stakeholders until August 30, 2023
News Article
April 15, 2019
Southeast Asian supermarkets switch to banana leaves
Supermarkets in Thailand and Vietnam trial wrapping produce in banana leaves rather than plastic packaging; other food packaging changes in region reported
News Article
May 26, 2021
Chile passes comprehensive plastics legislation
Chilean legislature unanimously passes comprehensive single-use and recycled plastics regulations; regulation bans single-use plastic use within a food establishment, compels markets and convenience stores to only sell recyclable beverage containers, beverage containers must contain plastic collected and recycled within Chile; regulations come into effect over 3 years
News Article
April 28, 2014
Chicago next to ban plastic bags
Chicago Health and Environmental Committee approved plastic bag ban; to exempt restaurants and independent stores
News Article
September 2, 2019
Tesco to exclude brands with non-recyclable packaging
UK supermarket chain announces it will reserve right to not list brands with too much non-recyclable packaging starting in 2020; non-recyclable materials in own brands to be eliminated
News Article
August 12, 2020
‘PFAS-free’ guides for restaurants and groceries
US NGO Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families releases guides on eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from food packaging used by fast-food restaurants and grocery chains
