Unwrapped: Plastic packaging matters | July 2024

This periodical covers:

Trends

Packaging sustainability commitments have evolved significantly over time, shaped by historical proclamations from brands and consumer packaged good (CPG) companies that have encountered barriers such as technological limitations, economic constraints, and supply chain disruptions. These commitments have slowed and have begun shifting more toward a reduction in environmental impact. Despite good intentions, many companies have had to adjust their sustainability goals and packaging strategies by shifting the target date of the goals further into the future.

Environmental concerns

Environmental concerns, further fueled by corporate pledges and impending state regulation in the US, are driving a rising demand for recycled plastic. Meanwhile, Europe has taken a more unified approach, with the European Union enacting stringent regulations to ensure widespread use of recycled plastic across member states.

Innovation

Packaging innovation is key to addressing both cost savings and environmental impact. While lightweighting packaging isn’t a new idea, it has allowed companies to reduce material usage and transportation costs all while minimizing their environmental footprint.

Additionally, advanced recycling technologies offer the potential to recycle a wider array of plastics more efficiently. However, scaling these innovations to a broader implantation faces challenges, including legislative challenges, technological hurdles, economic viability, and the need for a robust infrastructure.

Legislation

Legislation plays a crucial role in shaping the future of packaging. Europe’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has recently taken a significant step forward with its latest vote in the European Parliament, setting the stage for further developments in late 2024 and early 2025. Meanwhile, both the US and Europe are seeing the growing introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, which hold manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products.