SPC Impact 2026 brought the sustainable packaging industry together to address major challenges including Extended Producer Responsibility policies, flexible film recovery, and composting systems. The conference emphasized that solving these challenges requires collaboration across brands, suppliers, policymakers, and recovery systems.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) dominated the conference with 12 dedicated sessions as companies transition from theory to operational compliance and real-world performance.
- Flexible films were a major focus with 6 sessions addressing recovery and labeling challenges that remain industry obstacles.
- Paper packaging appeared in 8 sessions, reflecting growing interest in paper alternatives to plastic and questions around recyclability and recovery systems.
- Collaboration is critical: GreenBlue's Paul Nowak emphasized that brands, suppliers, policymakers, and recovery systems must work together using "realistic optimism" and practical action to achieve sustainability goals.
- Composting and innovation were recurring topics, with sessions on finished soil production, compostable packaging policy hurdles, and How2Recycle's redesigned film recovery labels.
In April, SPC Impact 2026 brought the sustainable packaging industry to Nashville for the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s annual conference, produced by environmental non-profit GreenBlue. Across 45 breakout and main stage sessions, the event zeroed in on the packaging challenges companies are dealing with as policy deadlines approach, material choices shift, and recovery systems continue to evolve.
Extended Producer Responsibility was the conference’s biggest topic, with 12 sessions dedicated to EPR and related policy discussions. Flexible films, where recovery and labeling remain major industry challenges, were the focus of six sessions. Paper packaging, driven by rising interest in paper-based alternatives to plastic as well as growing questions around recyclability and recovery, appeared in eight. Composting was another popular topic that showed up repeatedly on the agenda.
Paul Nowak, executive director, GreenBluePackaging World
Opening the conference on Earth Day, GreenBlue executive director Paul Nowak framed the moment as what he called the “Year of the Relationship,” urging attendees to approach the challenges ahead through practical action, what he called “realistic optimism,” and collaboration. “You really cannot do it alone,” Nowak said, emphasizing that sustainable packaging’s next phase will depend on how effectively brands, suppliers, policymakers, and recovery systems work together.
That idea carried through much of the event, where conversations repeatedly returned to the operational challenges of turning sustainability goals into workable systems. Whether the focus was EPR, flexible films, paper packaging, or composting, companies were largely focused on figuring out what comes next and how to make it work.
Composting Waste: From Collection to Finished Soil
A behind-the-scenes look at The Compost Company during SPC Impact in Nashville reveals how organic waste streams are managed, processed, and transformed into finished compost.
Can Polycoated Paper Be Recovered at Scale?
A panel examines how new data from the Poly Coated Paper Alliance is shaping conversations around recovery, end markets, and EPR.
EPR Moves from Theory to Operational Reality
As EPR rules take shape, companies are rethinking packaging strategy around compliance, data, and real-world performance in recovery systems.
Retailer Forum Expands Collaborative Packaging Efforts
Walmart and Amazon highlight how clearer supplier guidance is helping unlock new innovation in private label packaging. Meanwhile, the Forum introduces a new project brief.
SPC Trends Report Examines Packaging Beyond Regulation
As regulations take hold, SPC’s trends report highlights where packaging teams are focusing next, from harmonization to harder-to-recycle formats.
How2Recycle Rethinks Film Recovery Labels
How2Recycle is redesigning labels for flexible film recycling to match a broader mix of recovery options and improve consumer understanding.
Keynote from Multi-platinum Artist Focuses on Movement Building
AJR bassist Adam Met shares lessons from music and policy highlight how connecting with audiences can move people from awareness to action.
Video: TRP’s System-Wide Approach to a Better Recycling System
Sarah Dearman of The Recycling Partnership discusses domestic rPET supply, policy solutions like the CIRCLE Act, and why collaboration across the value chain is critical to recycling success.
Compostable Packaging’s Promise and Policy Hurdles
At SPC Impact 2026, Biodegradable Products Institute Executive Director Rhodes Yepsen discusses why compostable packaging continues to gain interest from brands even as California policy creates uncertainty around its future. PW
