How do sustainable packaging topics in the United States fit into the global conversation, and what can different regions learn from each other?
With just over a month to go until the Sustainable Packaging Summit 2026, we hear from Cory Connors, host of the Sustainable Packaging Podcast, about the most pressing issues our industry faces – and a new development from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Click here to learn more about attending this year’s Sustainable Packaging Summit.
What do you think will be the key talking points at the 2026 Sustainable Packaging Summit?
PPWR and EPR will lead the story, as they are here and affecting all of us now.
We will also be focusing on plastic reduction and replacement options and how to use more recyclable packaging.
Pre-competition collaboration is becoming a real method of working towards more sustainable packaging, and they should be a top discussion. Also, innovative materials and new bio-based options. I'm hoping to hear about reusable packaging, too!
We’d like to get your perspective on the PPWR as someone who is based in the US. How does this regulation compare with similar efforts in America?
As usual, we are working hard to learn from our European counterparts and colleagues as they test these trials and new laws. We have been learning from other parts of the world for many years, as we all should. Sustainable packaging is truly a global issue, and we all need to work together to create positive outcomes. If we don't work together, this will continue to be incredibly challenging.
We see a lot of concerning/negative packaging stories every day, so much so that it can be hard to remember positive stories about innovation and sustainability successes. What has been your favourite packaging-related good news story from the past year?
I actually just learned about an exciting new partnership between some major companies in the world and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
This is a quote from Allison Lin from Mars on this announcement: "The PaperFlex Consortium seeks to challenge this concept by going FURTHER and FASTER together. Convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and powered by RESET®, this voluntary consortium currently includes Colgate-Palmolive, Mars, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever as founding members. The objective of the consortium is to accelerate the development and scaling of responsibly designed paper-based flexible packaging through R&D partnership, with a focus on markets with limited formal collection and recycling systems and guided by a dual end-of-life ambition covering both recyclability and biodegradability."
This is an exciting time in packaging where we learn working together is the secret to great progress!
When you think about the 2026 Sustainable Packaging Summit, what is the part you are most excited for?
This event is one of my favorite events every year for a lot of reasons. I'm excited to see all the great friends and partners I've made over the years and hear from them about what they have been working on. I'm also really looking forward to listening to all the great presentations on the stages including the Emerging Tech Stage that I'll be hosting. This stage allows small and new startups the opportunity to tell the packaging world about their new innovations. These are truly some of the great new things happening in packaging. So be sure to see us at the Emerging Tech Stage!
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