The Page: Greenwashing Banned?

Showcasing its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Mactac® has again been recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for recyclability of its pressure-sensitive label materials. APR recently announced that Mactac has earned Critical Guidance Recognition (CGR) for its polypropylene pressure-sensitive label materials with hot-melt adhesive for rigid polypropylene containers. Label materials were proven compatible with polypropylene container recycling practices, exceeding the strictest criteria for product packaging recyclability. Mactac is the first manufacturer to earn CGR for a hot-melt adhesive for polypropylene recycling applications. Mactac was also the first manufacturer to earn CGR for a hot-melt adhesive for high-density polyethylene containers, which it received in 2023.

An investigation by Two Sides has found over 40% of local councils to be using unsubstantiated and misleading environmental claims about printed communication. Following an increasing number of individual “Greenwash” cases involving local councils being reported to Two Sides, an investigation was undertaken to identify the scale of misleading claims made by local government. An analysis of a random sample of 100 local councils found 42 to be making unsubstantiated claims about printed communication being bad for the environment. Misleading statements are being used by many of the UK’s largest councils: •“The paperless billing system… is better for the environment and saves money on postage and paper.” Birmingham City Council (1,137,100 residents) •“E-Billing is the fast, efficient, environmentally friendly way to receive your bills.” Liverpool City Council (491,500 residents) •“E-bills are more environmentally friendly as there is no paper or printing. Cardiff Council (362,756 residents). Click read more below for additional detail.

Smurfit Kappa has joined forces with the Plastic Soup Foundation to stress the growing need for sustainable packaging. The Plastic Soup Foundation is a Dutch organisation which campaigns for an end to the pollution of the world’s oceans. The term ‘plastic soup’, which first became popular in the late 1990s, refers to the pollution of the oceans by plastic including large pieces and tiny micro-plastic and nano-plastic particles, both floating and sunken. A strong synergy exists between the Plastic Soup Foundation’s mission to stop the plastic soup at the source and Smurfit Kappa’s Better Planet Packaging initiative which aims to address the challenge of packaging waste and litter that ends up in oceans and landfill. Click Read More below for additional detail.