Kyushu University researchers have turned agricultural by-products into a biodegradable food packaging material, offering a potential approach to both food loss and plastic pollution

Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a new food preservation solution. Using pumpkin peel as raw material, they synthesized a nanomaterial for food packaging that slows the deterioration of fruit and other produce while reducing transport damage. The findings were published on 30 April 2026 in Food Research International.

Taking place for a fifth consecutive year by simply recycling an empty 500ml plastic bottle at one of the specially designed reverse vending machines located across Merlin’s UK attractions.

The partnership will continue to incentivise and encourage recycling via reverse vending machines situated at the attractions – with usage increasing by 18% in 2025.

Machines can be found at theme parks including Alton Towers Resort, Thorpe Park and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has once again cautioned food business operators against using newspapers for packing, wrapping, or serving food, citing serious food safety and public health concerns. The renewed advisory follows enforcement actions against vendors found using newspapers for food packaging despite existing regulations prohibiting the practice.

In a significant step toward circular packaging, LyondellBasell (LYB) has partnered with Mondelēz International, Amcor, and Taghleef Industries to develop a new flexible packaging solution for Marabou chocolate bars made using recycled plastic content. The collaboration demonstrates how advanced recycling technologies can help transform difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into high-quality food-grade packaging materials.