August 2024

We've compiled a list of articles that grabbed our attention last month, along with a roundup of national and international packaging conventions, all taking place in Asia, headlined by Inter Pack Shanghai. Our focus this month is also keenly set on the topic of reuse in events, especially at the biggest one—the Olympics.

Happy reading!

The European Union?and over thirty-four nations and key stakeholders including the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, and WWF?have signed the Bridge to Busan Declaration. This international agreement aims to control primary plastic polymer production, aligning with circular economy goals and the Paris Agreement to combat plastic pollution effectively. To read more about the Bridge to Busan Declaration, click here. For further insights on what the EU's support means for this initiative, read the detailed article published in Packaging Europe here.

Mirroring Roland Garros' initiative to cut down on single-use plastics by providing athletes with refillable water bottles (to learn more, click here to read our post explaining their initiative), Wimbledon collaborates with CLUBZER? for the second consecutive year. This partnership tackles single-use plastics at The Queue, bolstering sustainability across the event. CLUBZER? 's Perfect Pots, used for serving ice cream, alongside their new Drop Point Boxes, reduce CO2 emissions by 50%. These innovations exemplify significant strides towards adopting reuse in the backdrop of large sporting events. Read the article describing the partnership at Packaging News.

Building on reuse initiative successes at other major sporting events, all eyes are now on the Olympics. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, a significant initiative will serve all beverages to millions of spectators in reusable cups, aiming to set a new global standard. However, Matt Littlejohn 's op-ed in Fast Company points out contradictions: notably Coca-Cola's continued use of single-use plastic bottles to fill these reusable cups! This decision may undermine the potential global impact and miss an opportunity to raise global awareness about reuse. To delve deeper into these challenges and hear Coca-Cola’s response, click here for the full article on Fast Company.

Over 100 elite athletes, including Olympic champions and Paris 2024 hopefuls, have called on the CEOs of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to harness the global stage of the Olympics to champion reusable packaging. Their open letter urges using the grand stage of the Olympics and Paralympic Games 'to trigger a sea change in how the world understands packaging and to light the torch for reuse' beyond Paris 2024. Dive into the full story by Claire Poole , founder of Sport Positive, on Forbes, to explore the athletes' plea and their vision for a reusable future.

August shifts our focus to Asia with national and international fairs in India, Vietnam, and China before we head back to Europe, where things will cool down after the Olympics in September. Click on the banners to access the website of each event!

Set for August 8-10 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, Vietfood & Beverages along with ProPack Vietnam marks a significant gathering in Vietnam's food and beverage industry. This international event boasts 36,000 m2 of exhibition space, 1,200 booths, and 900 businesses from over 20 countries, expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors. The expo facilitates extensive business matching and features seminars on the latest trends in food, beverage, and packaging technology, providing crucial networking and business opportunities on an international scale.

Mark your calendars for the Inter Pack Expo 2024 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center from August 9-11. This pivotal event in the packaging industry attracts over 55,000 visitors and features more than 500 exhibitors. Dive into a world of innovative packaging solutions and the latest technology spanning products, materials, and machinery. Don't miss this chance to connect with key global industry players from Asia, Europe, America, and beyond, forging pathways for market expansion and industry growth.

Join industry leaders at PackPlus in New Delhi from August 22-24. This premier event, now in its 18th edition, serves as a dynamic platform for stakeholders across packaging, converting, and supply chain sectors. Attendees will experience live demonstrations, and product launches, and can engage with key experts discussing the latest market trends. PackPlus continues to be a pivotal business hub for the packaging industry in India.

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