02/09/24
The recent decision by the US Plastics Pact to push back its key sustainability targets from 2025 to 2030 should serve as an important wake-up call for the entire packaging industry. While the challenges of transforming our approach to plastic packaging are undeniable, this five-year delay risks putting the United States even further behind in the global race towards circularity.
As other regions such as Europe and Asia forge ahead with ambitious regulations and innovative solutions, the United States risks falling into a dangerous holding pattern of delays and missed opportunities.
The state of plastic packaging in the US
The US Plastics Pact, a coalition of over 100 businesses and organisations, launched in 2020 with laudable goals – 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging by 2025, 50% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or composted, and an average of 30% recycled content across all plastic packaging.
These targets aligned well with global initiatives and signalled a solid commitment to transformative change, but progress has fallen notably short. At last count in 2023, only 48% of packaging from Pact members was reusable, recyclable, or compostable – up from 37% in 2020, but far from the 100% goal. The use of recycled content increased by a just 2.4 percentage points to 9.4%. While all progress is commendable when it comes to packaging sustainability, the pace of change in the US is simply not matching the urgency of the global plastic waste crisis.
The risks of delay
By pushing targets back to 2030 and introducing ‘Roadmap 2.0’, the US Plastics Pact runs the risk of inadvertently sending the wrong message - that sustainability can wait. While a roadmap is generally a positive step, we must question how effective an overarching plan can be in a market that still has such dramatic state-to-state variations in sustainability initiatives and recycling infrastructure. Are we putting the cart before the horse? A national roadmap, no matter how well-intentioned, may struggle to gain traction without addressing the fundamental inconsistencies in the US recycling ecosystem.
As regions like the European Union implement stringent regulations on single-use plastics and set ambitious recycling targets accordingly, US companies may find themselves scrambling to catch up. This, in turn, could impact their ability to compete in global markets increasingly sensitive to environmental concerns. Delaying bold targets may also slow the pace of innovation in material science, recycling technologies, and circular business models; the US risks falling behind in developing the solutions that will define the future of packaging.
The environmental cost of inaction is steep and growing. Every year of delay on the path to a circular economy means millions more tons of non-recyclable plastic in linear waste streams, entering our oceans and landfills. As public awareness of plastic pollution grows, driven by media discourse, brands that fail to make meaningful progress risk losing the trust and loyalty of environmentally conscious consumers. The lack of cohesive and connected federal action on plastic waste in the US has created a patchwork of state and local regulations, and continued delays in industry-led initiatives may lead to more fragmented government interventions.
The technology is ready - are we?
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of this delay, and it’s a frustration that I’m sure many packaging designers in the US share, is that many of the technological solutions needed to meet ambitious sustainability targets already exist. Mono-material structures, designed for recyclability, offer a prime example of how innovative thinking can simplify the complex challenge of plastic recycling. These packaging solutions, made from a single type of plastic, address one of the key barriers to effective recycling - the difficulty in separating multi-material packaging components. Advanced polymer science is moving at speed, and packaging manufacturers can now create mono-material solutions that match or exceed the performance of traditional multi-layer packaging while being far easier to recycle in conventional recovery systems. We know this first-hand at Korozo Group, putting our resources, expertise and time behind creating mono-material packaging that performs as well as, or better than, incumbent mixed-material designs.
These innovations are not futuristic concepts or pipe dreams, but market-ready solutions being adopted by brands around the world. The European market is a great example. Driven by more aggressive regulations and strong consumer demand, the market has seen rapid adoption of mono-material packaging across various product categories, including flexible packaging. The US market, with its size and influence, has the potential to drive even greater economies of scale in the production and recycling of these materials. However, without clear targets and commitments, the adoption of such technologies could plateau or worse, stagnate.
Overcoming the US recycling challenge
One of the most commonly cited reasons for the relatively slow progress in the US is the fragmented and inconsistent nature of the country's recycling infrastructure. Unlike many European countries with nationalized recycling programs, the US system is a complex patchwork of local and state initiatives, leading to confusion for consumers and inefficiencies for recyclers. This patchwork system, where regulations can vary wildly from one state to another, creates significant challenges for companies operating across multiple jurisdictions.
However, we can shift our perspective; this challenge also presents an opportunity. While more connected waste streams would be the ideal, by focusing our efforts on simplified, mono-material packaging designs, the US could leapfrog the need for complex sorting technologies. Mono-material packaging is inherently easier to identify and process, potentially allowing for more consistent recycling across diverse local systems, and more valuable recyclate in the packaging loop. Moreover, the adoption of standardized labelling and consumer education initiatives could help overcome the confusion caused by varying local recycling rules.
A call to action
The delay of the US Plastics Pact targets from 2025 to 2030 should not be seen as complacency, but rather as a rallying cry for renewed urgency. We can’t afford to take our foot off the gas. The packaging industry, brand owners, and policymakers must work together to set ambitious interim goals and while 2030 may be the new target date, we need clear, measurable targets for each year leading up to it.
Embracing mono-material innovations should be a priority across the US market. We need to encourage the adoption of easily recyclable packaging designs across all product categories, in a shift that not only simplifies recycling but also aligns with global best practices and potentially gives US companies a competitive edge in international markets.
Supporting extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation is another crucial step. As we’ve seen with plans cemented in the EU, comprehensive and connected EPR programs can provide the incentives needed to create a truly circular economy for packaging.
The clock is ticking, and the US cannot afford to fall further behind in the global transition to sustainable packaging. The technology exists, the consumer demand is present and growing, and the environmental imperative is clear. What's needed now is the collective will to drive meaningful change, not in 2030, but today.
The future of our planet, and the competitiveness of US businesses, depends on it.