As the CPG industry Moves Toward Circularity, it is acknowledged that the circular packaging economy depends on improvements in design, recovery infrastructure, and regulatory changes. As concerns about end-of-life disposal of packaging have grown, consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies have transitioned to more sustainable packaging designs and materials. They are also paying more attention to end-of-life disposal options.
To identify key trends and their impact on legislation and recovery systems, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, and AMERIPEN (the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment) have published 2023 PACKAGING COMPASS: Evaluating Trends in U.S. Packaging Design Over the Next Decade and Implications for the Future of a Circular Packaging System.
“By releasing this deep dive into the trends driving the circular packaging system, we hope to facilitate an industry dialogue that will help close the gap between design needs and recovery needs,” says Jorge Izquierdo, vice president, market development, PMMI.
During the next 10 years, the study projects the highest demand will occur in:
- Plastic packaging, particularly the flexible pouch format
- Compostable packaging
- Recycled-content packaging, primarily paper and plastic
However, all three formats must overcome the same hurdle, a lack of end-of-life recovery infrastructure. Effective legislative and investment strategies also are needed. Figures from the Recycling Partnership show only 1.9% of the U.S. population has access to flexible film recycling. Establishing a circular economy for flexible films will necessitate better collection, sortation, and end-of-life reprocessing. The latter may involve chemical recycling, an emerging technology that reverts materials to their original monomers. Its adoption could help close infrastructure gaps while improving recycled resin quality by reducing contamination concerns, thereby simplifying the regulatory acceptance of recycled content for food-contact applications.

Compostable packaging often is perceived as a less-complicated end-of-life option. However, it also suffers from a lack of infrastructure. According to the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, only 27% of the U.S. population has access to curbside composting programs, and only 11% of those programs accept packaging. To realize the circular potential of compostable packaging, the U.S. needs to boost collection and access to composting facilities that accept food scraps along with packaging. Focusing initial infrastructure investments on closed systems at venues such as stadiums and food service outlets will make the most impact.
Recycled-content packaging is a popular path toward circularity. Design for recycling guidelines, developed by several organizations, are helping the packaging industry choose combinations of polymers, additives, labels, adhesives, and components that do not hinder recyclability. Many brand owners use these guidelines to help them meet commitments to increase use of recycled content. However, a disconnect between strong demand for recycled resin and insufficient supply and processing capacity must be overcome. Like flexible packaging, potential solutions lie in better collection and sortation techniques and greater capacity for end-of-life reprocessing including chemical recycling.

A circular economy can be achieved by focusing on how best to invest in infrastructure and tying that dialogue to packaging design and the multiple variables packaging designers must juggle. Success will depend on how well members of the packaging value chain understand each other’s challenges and opportunities.
To foster this communication, sustainability will be a major theme at PACK EXPO Las Vegas (Sept. 11–13, 2023; Las Vegas Convention Center). A new Sustainability Central area will serve as an interactive resource to learn about design, materials, manufacturing, recovery, logistics, and data. At the accompanying Sustainability Stage, attendees will hear from experts on a range of packaging sustainability topics and learn how to make their brands more sustainable. In addition, the PACK EXPO Green Program returns to PACK EXPO Las Vegas and is the commitment of PACK EXPO and its partners, vendors, and exhibitors to work together to create a more sustainable world.
PACK EXPO Green Program identifies exhibiting companies that provide sustainable solutions via new materials, technology, or strategies such as sustainable processes and machines, renewable and biodegradable packaging, source reduction and lightweighting, recyclable and recycled-content materials, or innovations that reduce carbon footprint. Look for companies participating in the PACK EXPO Green Program to advance sustainability goals. The green icon also highlights education sessions focused on sustainability.
To learn more and to register, visit packexpolasvegas.com