Marking Global Recycling Day 2025, Winfried Muehling, Marketing & Communications Director at Pro Carton, celebrates increased recycling rates and consumer trust of fibre-based packaging
On this Global Recycling Day, Pro Carton celebrates the progress made by consumers and the packaging industry in advancing sustainable recycling practices, demonstrated by the results of the Pro Carton European Packaging Perceptions Survey 2025. Across Europe increasing numbers of consumers are taking action, with 62% of Europeans increasing their recycling rates in the last 12 months. Notably, 65% of Italians and 70% of Spaniards report that they have recycled more waste in the past year. This highlights a growing commitment to reducing packaging waste and mitigating the impact of climate change through responsible recycling.
Recycling remains one of the most effective solutions to counter packaging waste and environmental impact, with 67% of European respondents citing it as the most promising method to combat climate change. Cartonboard packages after use are not waste; they are a valuable resource that enables the production of new, high-quality packaging materials. By recognising the value of recycled cartonboard, we can further strengthen the circular economy and reduce dependency on virgin materials.
The recycling rates of different packaging materials vary, but paper and cartonboard lead the way with an impressive recycling rate of 83.2%, making cartonboard a key enabler in the transition to a truly circular packaging economy. With consumer trust in the recyclability of cartonboard at an all-time high of 85%, even surpassing glass, this confidence supports the continued reliance on cartonboard as the preferred packaging choice. Cartonboard fibres can be recycled twenty-five times, enabling the production of new, high-quality packaging materials.
Pro Carton advocates for a well-structured, separate collection of fibre-based packaging material that supports consumer participation and maximises material recovery. With resilient materials, consumer engagement, and established collection infrastructure in place, the fibre-based packaging industry is poised to drive meaningful environmental progress.
As we mark Global Recycling Day, Pro Carton reaffirms its commitment to promoting sustainable packaging solutions that align with consumer expectations and strengthen the circular economy. By prioritising recyclability and material recovery, we can create a more sustainable future for packaging and beyond.
Happi Glow and Happi Nightcap boast minor cannabinoids paired with functional mushrooms
Cannabis-infused seltzer brand Happi is pioneering a new path in the cannabis beverage space with Happi Glow and Happi Nightcap. These groundbreaking functional beverages are perfect for day and night, respectively. Created with a unique blend of minor cannabinoids and non-psychedelic lion’s mane and reishi mushrooms, these formulas are the first of their kind, with Happi filing a patent application covering the formulation for the products.
Happi Glow is available in a citrusy, bright Blood Orange Ginger flavour. Each can has 5 mg of THC, 5 mg of CBD, 3 mg of CBG, and 2 mg of CBN. Perfect for daytime, Happi Glow boasts the benefit of lion’s mane mushroom, which can help promote calm and focus to keep you clear-headed.
Happi Nightcap is available in Turkish Apple Tea, featuring notes of crisp apple and warm spices. Each can has 5 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBN. Ideal for evening, Happi Nightcap brings together soothing reishi mushrooms with a blend of minor cannabinoids to help you settle into a peaceful slumber so you wake up refreshed.
Each formula is vegan, gluten-free, and made with simple, all-natural ingredients. In addition to Glow and Nightcap, the brand also features two original flavours: Lemon Elderflower and Raspberry Honeysuckle.
- Happi Glow: 30 calories, 5mg THC, 5mg CBD, 3mg CBG, 2mg CBN, Carbonated Water, Organic Orange Juice, Organic Agave Nectar, Organic Blood Orange Juice, Natural Flavors, Hemp Extract, Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract, Vitamin C, Potassium Sorbate
- Happi Nightcap: 30 calories, 5 mg THC, 5 mg CBN, Carbonated Water, Organic Apple Juice, Organic Orange Juice, Organic Honey, Natural Flavours, Hemp Extract, Vitamin C, Organic Reishi Mushroom Extract, Potassium Sorbate
Happi Glow and Nightcap are now available at select retailers in Minnesota (US) and online.
Sponsored Post – We are looking forward to opening our doors at Elea for two days of Pulsed Electric Field discovery and insights, here at our custom-built facility for the development of PEF systems and applications in Quakenbrück, Germany.
Talks and demos will be given by both resident and industry experts. Topics will include how PEF works, its benefits for product and production, the development of PEF in industry during the past 10 years, as well as its huge potential for other industries, all scientific supported by our Research & Development department.
In our showroom, we will guide you through the Elea PEF system range, whose capacity reaches up to 60 t/h for solid treatment and 5.000 L for liquid treatment, followed by confidential one-to-one sessions about PEF solutions tailored for your business. Combined with a social program, an interesting and memorable event is guaranteed.
PEF inactivates microorganisms at lower temperatures, whereby the freshness & quality is maintained. A cost-effective alternative to thermal and HPP.
Visit us on 16 & 17 November in Quakenbrück and discover the application of Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) for extraction and preservation of fruit juices.
For more information please visit: https://elea-technology.com/events/elea-pef-advantage-day-2022/
Iconic Chiquita Blue Sticker Leverages Snapchat Technology to Excite Shoppers and Retailers Globally
Chiquita Brands International, the world’s leading banana company, announced a new partnership with Snapchat, the global multimedia messaging app, which will allow consumers to have fun with Chiquita in honor of World Banana Day on April 17th. Through the end of May SnapCodes will appear on 200 million Chiquita Blue Stickers, allowing fans of the brand to virtually “peel back” the sticker to tap into three exciting new experiences.
The Snapchat campaign includes: World Lens, Face Lens and a Gamified Lens. The World Lens turns Snapchatters into a dancing Chiquita Banana character. The Face Lens turns their faces into a Chiquita Banana. The Gamified lens invites Snapchatters to catch the falling Chiquita Bananas into a fruit bowl to score points. “Bananas are among the top sellers across grocery stores, making them present on almost every kitchen counter or table across the country,” said Jamie Postell, Director of Sales North America for Chiquita. “Chiquita will be the first brand to bring Snapchat visual recognition technology in the fresh produce aisle. This provides Chiquita a unique opportunity to leverage its iconic Blue Stickers as a powerful touchpoint with the Millennial and Gen Z consumers to interact with the brand in a fun, and relevant way.”
With support from creative agency Dffrnt Media, this Blue Sticker-Snapchat campaign will launch at the beginning of April in the United States and rolls out worldwide in the following weeks, staying on shelves for a four-week period.
For decades, Chiquita has produced special editions of its iconic Blue Sticker and this latest campaign with Snapchat exemplifies the brand’s ability to connect Chiquita bananas and consumers in a playful and fun way. In addition to fun, Chiquita also reminds its fans that its iconic Blue Sticker stands for high-quality, delicious bananas, and – above all – sustainable bananas. For this reason, the “Behind the Blue Sticker” initiative includes various innovations in farm management and logistics with an impact on waste, emission reduction CO2 and water footprint, and much more.
For more information about this partnership, please visit www.chiquita.com/snapchat
As World Education Day commences on September 28, Chiquita Brands International, the world’s foremost banana purveyor, is proud to announce it has reached 33 % of its education aid program goals. The goal is to reach 100 schools and 20,000 children by the year 2020, and to date, Chiquita has provided support for 33 schools. This includes building and renovating school infrastructure as well as providing learning materials for the children. Chiquita currently provides these educational benefits for the children of its farm-workers throughout the countries where its business is rooted, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Honduras.
The current educational aid program supports the children of Chiquita farm workers. In Costa Rica and Guatemala, Chiquita provides school children a special kit containing many of the basic materials required by the Education Ministry, while in Panama and Honduras, Chiquita provides scholarships.
In addition, Chiquita initiates and supports community projects, such as investing in school infrastructure, helping children receive an education, creating environmental awareness and promoting social empowerment. Chiquita firmly believes that helping children receive a valuable primary education will have a positive, long-lasting impact on not only the children, but also the communities they reside in.
Chiquita is not only involved in education for school-aged children, but also looks to provide healthcare aid as well. For example, in Costa Rica children in the banana farm neighborhoods are invited to receive visual and dental care, education and free teeth cleaning kits. The impact of such outreach is especially valued in areas where educational levels tend to be low, and where access to diagnostic facilities is limited due to distance from medical centers and the cost involved.
