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Retailers, Consumers, Regulations Driving the Push to Sustainable Packaging

With consumers, retailers, and regulations driving the push to sustainable packaging, industry stakeholders are looking for ways to effectively meet this demand.

Consumers are willing to pay about 10% more for sustainable packaging, according to one industry representative at the 2023 Vision 2030 sessions.
Consumers are willing to pay about 10% more for sustainable packaging, according to one industry representative at the 2023 Vision 2030 sessions.
PMMI Business Intelligence: 2023 Moving to Sustainable Packaging: Closing the Innovation Gap

Change doesn’t happen in a vacuum, especially in packaging. Pressure from retailers, consumers, and regulations are top drivers of the push to sustainable packaging.

That’s according to PMMI Business Intelligence’s 2023 report, “Moving to Sustainable Packaging – Closing the Innovation Gap,” which shares insights from industry stakeholders at the 2023 Vision 2030 sessions.

When questioned about the biggest drivers for changing materials, one CPG executive noted business strategy and “a desire to deliver sustainable products to our consumers,” as one driver, while another is “extended producer responsibilities” and regulations. 

The executive also revealed some customers/retailers are now starting to impose fines, penalties, or cost disadvantages on producers in relation to sustainable packaging.

One of the packaging industry panelists at the session agreed, adding it is important to have a global perspective on what is happening in terms of legislation, as regulation can start in Europe and move into the U.S., for example. The panelist pointed out that post-COVID, many consumers are focusing again on sustainability, caring more about recycling or recycled content and “making sure that companies are doing the right thing” to meet their commitments.

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