Fibre-based Packaging Producers Seek Clarity on Single-Use Plastic Packaging (SUP) Directive

Forester Grant Steeves of the JDI Sussex Woodlands office has discovered a rare plant population on JDI-managed Crown Land near Havelock, New Brunswick. During his survey walk of a forest block last fall, Steeves noticed a low-ground plant with unique broad white stripes on its leaves. Having had rare plant identification training, Steeves was aware that this could be quite a find. Steeves took a photo of the plant and sent it to JDI Naturalist Kelly Honeyman, who then visited the site to confirm the rarity: a Downy Rattlesnake Plantain - classified as an S-1 plant (with five or less known populations in New Brunswick) - the rarest in the rare plant ranking system.

E-commerce in the United States grew by 44 percent in 2020, and with that growth came a rise in package deliveries — and the use of paper packaging materials. While the pandemic certainly spurred the increase seen last year, online shopping was already on the rise, meaning demand for paper packaging likely will continue to grow. This is especially true as consumers learn more about the environmental cost of consumption. In a study of U.S. packaging preferences, former Two Sides North America, Inc. President Phil Reibel said, “Consumers are becoming more aware of available packaging choices for the items they buy, which in turn is influencing packaging decisions by businesses, particularly in the retail sector.” The 2020 report showed that among the consumers surveyed: *57 percent are trying to reduce their use of plastic packaging. *57 percent prefer online orders to be delivered in paper packaging instead of plastic. *70 percent want online orders to be delivered in right-sized packages that don’t waste empty space. *66 percent believe paper or corrugated is better for the environment than other packaging materials. *69 percent choose paper or corrugated because it is compostable at home. *More than 50 percent think paper is easier to recycle, less expensive, and lighter weight than other packaging materials. *38 percent would even be willing to spend more on a product if it were packaged sustainably.

“I would first like to thank Stéphane Marchesi, who, after 16 years of leading PEFC France, has decided it is time to move on,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, following two days in Paris. “In these last few days I have met with senators, civil society organizations, numerous companies and the general public, and it has been fantastic to see the level of support of PEFC in France: a legacy of Stéphane’s commitment to PEFC over the last almost two decades.” Mr. Gunneberg was joined by Peter Latham, Chairman of the PEFC International Board, in Paris in late September for a special two-day program as PEFC France launched their new model. Click Read More below for more of the story.