Four Trends Driving the Future of Sustainable Packaging

Sustainability is not a new concept to the packaging industry, but there are various viewpoints and authorities on its definition and measurement. No matter how your business perceives or defines what it means to be “sustainable,” the demand for sustainable packaging options is growing, fueled by factors like legislation, brand identity, and consumer preference. Learn about what's driving the demand for sustainable packaging and get ahead of the strategic, operational, and selling impacts on your company and customers.

Sustainable Packaging Traits¹

To simplify what can be considered in the scope of sustainability, we’ve boiled it down to a few hallmarks:

• Minimizes the environmental and social impacts at every stage of the product’s lifecycle: from extraction of raw materials, to manufacturing and distribution, to use, and potential re-use, recycling, or non-reclaimable disposal (i.e. landfill)
• Has a low carbon-footprint due to reduced (or eliminated) use of fossil-based raw materials
• Maximizes the use of post-consumer recycled content without compromising the opportunity for its materials to be utilized on multiple occasions, whether that be via reuse, recycling into like-for-like applications, or composting
• Places a high value on resource conservation and reduces leakages from the packaging lifecycle

Four Major Trends Impacting Demand for Sustainable Packaging

1) On-the-go lifestyle changes - Consumer lifestyles are changing rapidly, and suppliers must adapt to the increased demand for convenience, driving to smaller, single-serve formats¹.

The takeaway: Consumer preference towards more convenient and single serve packaging requires dramatically more packaging units in non-traditional formats, especially in the food and beverage industry.

Questions to ask: Does your customer base include food and beverage end users? Is your product line inclusive of these options?

2) As a strategy to bolster brand identity - Sustainability is not just a passing trend. Brand owners and retailers have set challenging sustainability targets to positively impact their perception and brand preference by consumers.

While some research suggests that many brands are unlikely to pay more for sustainability in net terms, they are continuing to look at opportunities for "light weighting," and material reduction. As a result, sustainability can also provide a cost saving opportunity¹.

The takeaway: In the sales process, packaging distributors and sellers should position packaging as a tool that can be used to help achieve these goals and fulfill an environmentally or socially responsible brand promise. Be prepared with information like recycled content and overall recyclability of the products your customers propose to buy. Finally, take a packaging “right sizing” or cost reduction angle to gain interest and engagement in non-traditional packaging products and formats. Remember, using less of the same material is still a part of thinking sustainably!

3) Increasing legislative requirements - There are several legislative movements driving the sustainability movement in packaging like extended producer responsibility (EPR), and single-use plastic bans¹.

Extended Producer Responsibility - Abbreviated as EPR, extended producer responsibility is a policy approach that holds producers responsible for managing the end-of-life of their products, including packaging, to promote recycling and resource efficiency. EPR is becoming the policy of choice to influence material and packaging design choices as it also funds collection and recycling infrastructures².

EPR programs can include:

• • Take-back programs for electronics, batteries, and tires
  • Recycling programs for packaging materials like plastic and paper
  • Financial contributions to waste management infrastructure

States with EPR legislation as of May 2024²

States considering EPR - As of May of 2024, states like New York, Tennessee, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island all have proposed EPR legislation centered on recycling initiatives and reducing packaging waste. Illinois and Maryland have also introduced pre-EPR measures and are expected to conclude assessments in 2025².

Single-use plastic bans - Single-use plastic bans have gained significant momentum and are shifting demand towards more sustainable packaging options like kraft paper bags and compostable food packaging. In the US, 12 states have single-use plastic bag bans: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington³.

Key takeaway: Understand the legislative position on environmental sustainability in each of the states you or your customers operate in and help guide your customers towards options that keep them in compliance to avoid costly fees. For example, in Oregon, businesses could reportedly face fines of up to $1,000 a day for violating the state’s EPR law.

4) Sustained e-commerce growth – Despite a post-COVID slow down, e-commerce sales and growth trends are strong, with growth projected until 2030. Regardless of purchasing online or instore, more consumers are demanding that retailers offer e-comm packaging that has lower environmental impact, whether through post-consumer recycled content or "right sizing" to smaller and/or lighter packaging materials¹.

Key takeaway: Don’t assume that your customers selling online are immune to sustainability legislation or consumer preference for more sustainable e-commerce shipping and packing materials.

Helping YOU Sell Packaging®

As your packaging partner, BOX Partners is committed to your success. Every time you assist your customers with product decisions and market insights, you provide a valuable service, advance your reputation as a trusted partner, and build loyalty. Similarly, BOX is the trusted partner you can count on committed to Helping YOU Sell Packaging®. 

If you need assistance choosing the right products that meet your customers’ sustainability needs, we're here to help. Just contact your dedicated BOX account manager or call 800-806-2636.

¹Source: Smithers

²Source: CleanHub

³Source: World Economic Forum