Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

Five Fundamentals for Navigating Sustainability

Sustainability and plastic waste reduction have come to the forefront of many companies’ strategies and objectives.

Mike Ross
Mike Ross


As public demand for change puts pressure on companies to make external commitments to reducing waste or increasing recycling, the role of packaging within an organization continues to change. A packaging professional once held a more strictly technical role, mainly focused on product development and product protection. The modern professional’s role has greatly expanded to include expertise in sustainability.


From a positive perspective, packaging has been given focus and moved to the forefront. The challenge of meeting sustainability targets, however, remains quite daunting. Given this challenge, packaging professionals should consider the following fundamentals when beginning their sustainability journey.


1. Understand the portfolio. Knowing the type, specification, and volume of each type of pack system in the portfolio is a fundamental first step. This may seem obvious, but often it is not readily known within a wider organization. This can be due to a change in personnel, or simply a lack of focus on less common parts of a portfolio. Regardless, knowing exactly what is in the portfolio allows a map to be created and priorities to be identified.


2. Increase recyclability—make the portfolio “recycle ready.” Organizing a portfolio by material type (rigid plastics, flexibles, distribution, or secondary packaging) can help structure a logical, more manageable segmentation. Once placed in a segment, a deeper dive into the details of the specifications is required. An assessment of recyclability then can be made to understand the scope and size of the challenge. For example, many rigid plastics (bottles, containers) made from HDPE or PP can be deemed recyclable (or downcycleable), whereas many high-barrier laminates are not, because several different materials are used. All materials should be characterized by total weight used to help in prioritization.

Annual Outlook Report: Sustainability
The road ahead for CPGs in 2025 and beyond—<i>Packaging World</i> editors review key findings from a survey of 88 brand owners, CPG, and FMCG readers.
Download Now
Annual Outlook Report: Sustainability
Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in packaging & processing!
At PACK EXPO Las Vegas, you’ll see machinery in action and new tech from 2,300 suppliers, collaborate with experts and explore transformative solutions. Join us this September to experience a breakthrough in packaging and processing.
REGISTER NOW AND SAVE
Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in packaging & processing!