According to the CNN, the war with Iran has driven oil prices up more than 40% since late February, directly pushing up the cost of plastic products, which are derived from petroleum. Plastic resin prices have already surged by double digits in the past 30 days. Everyday items expected to see price increases first include:

• disposable cutlery,
• bottled drinks,
• plastic bags.

Supply chain expert Patrick Penfield from Syracuse University notes that higher packaging costs will likely lead to higher food and beverage prices in the coming 2–4 months as companies deplete existing inventories. Because plastics are embedded throughout supply chains, the full impact on final consumer prices can be hard to trace immediately.
CNN article is here

Sealed Air is constantly increasing the recycled content of its protective films

Paper production causes deforestation, uses enormous amounts of energy and water, and contributes to air pollution and waste problems.

The study was published earlier this year in the journal Environmental and Resource Economics.

The plastic problem needs to be reframed: the issue isn’t the material, but how it’s disposed of.

Food Navigator.com writes that most bioplastics and plant based plastics contain toxic chemicals 

Sealed Air blog: even 1% damage rate is an unacceptable damage rate

“Polyester is one of the most reversible plastics in the world and should not be wasted,” says Josse Kunst, Chief Commercial Officer at CuRe Technology.

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – In an effort to stop customers from trying to bring their own reusable bags to grocery stores because of the risks they pose due to the coronavirus pandemic, California has temporarily halted the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags, along with the 10-cent charge for buying paper or plastic bags.

Consumer pressure to end plastic packaging in shops could actually be harming the environment, a report says.

Plastic apperas not to be the biggest culprit on the picture

BBC environment reporter Laura Foster explains how they were originally designed to save trees.

MICHEL DE ADDLER's picture from The Chronicle Herald

Good article from Financial Times's Undercover Economist column author Tim Harford about pros and cons of plastic packaging . https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47161379

Things are not that simple. Article from BBC. Read here

Recycling our plastic waste helps to keep planet clean

German city of Freiburg has created the Freiburg Cup, a reusable, plastic to-go cup with a disposable lid

Article by Sealed Air Co. Click on image to enlarge

Mr. Ken Chrisman, Sealed Air Product Care President about small business advantages