Packaging & Labeling

In packaging, we're seeing green. We're witnessing more bio-based materials, more renewable feedstocks, and more sustainable packaging initiatives than ever. Some suppliers say that making bioplastics consumes far less fossil fuel and emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions than manufacturing petro based plastics. But is green chemistry as good as the PR surrounding it says it is?

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"Buy American" campaigns seem to arise in each major economic downturn that the U.S. experiences, in the 1970s, in the 1980s, and on. So, we are seeing the rise of economic nationalism again, a re-emergence of "Buy American" sentiment. With it, we hear the rationale that "buying American" saves U.S. jobs. But plenty has been written in the past about such protectionist ideas in the era of globalization. Would it work any better today?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Packaging & Labeling, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Packaging & Labeling today.

A strong majority — roughly 75% — of people in North America and the UK support geoengineering studies, that is, those that would test man-made conditions to reflect sunlight back to space to cool the planet. Is the effort feasible? Would we be better off with research results on actions we might consider taking in the future?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Packaging & Labeling, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Packaging & Labeling today.

"BlackBerrys have stopped working." That recent headline was sobering, as millions lost their phone and email connectivity — an unexpected event from a major corporation's network. Yet the complaints made it clear that Americans consider constant connections a birthright, a privilege. Instead, shouldn't the event simply have reminded us the vulnerability of many of our systems, and that we shouldn't expect 100% connectivity; just as we learned to deal with occasional electricity brownouts and blackouts. Where's the tolerance?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Packaging & Labeling, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Packaging & Labeling today.

What's your view on "zero packaging" stores like the In.gredients grocery preparing to open this fall in Austin, TX? Do bulk-only stores make sense, requiring customers to bring their own packages? Will they succeed in teaching healthier eating habits and helping consumers adopt more sustainable lifestyles? Is the message on the mark, or promoting the idea that no packaging is sustainable?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Packaging & Labeling, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Packaging & Labeling today.

The 30-year Space Shuttle program is over, as is manned space missions for the foreseeable future. But won't the technology advancements and other intangibles — like boosting national spirit and keeping us a forward-looking international leader — produce some ROI that we need today? Should we give up on space?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Packaging & Labeling, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Packaging & Labeling today.