The first quarter of 2025 brought a surge of new educational resources, policy tools, and consumer campaigns focused on advancing packaging sustainability. With so many moving parts across the industry, it’s easy to miss valuable information. To help packaging professionals stay informed, we’re spotlighting the developments that are gaining traction—ones that could shape decisions in operations, policy, education, and communication.

Packaging Sustainability Tools by Industry Sector

Transportation & Logistics

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has released a guide titled, “The Importance of Packaging and Organization in Transport,” highlighting best practices for securing less-than-truckload freight. This resource aims to improve shipment tracking, documentation, and ultimately, customer satisfaction.

Ecommerce & Paper Packaging

Hood Container is the latest company that’s joined Paper and Packaging Board’s “Box to Nature” initiative, a program that enlists box manufacturers and ecommerce brands to add consumer-facing recycling graphics to packaging, encouraging residential recycling.

Healthcare Plastics & Circularity

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste launched a regional pilot in Texas focused on chemical recycling of hospital plastics. The goal: create a scalable model that hospitals can replicate to increase recovery of medical plastics.

Food Packaging

After four years of beta testing, version 1.0 of the Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard is now live. Developed by the SUM’D coalition, the tool evaluates six sustainability criteria:

• Water usage in manufacturing
• Recoverability
• Use of chemicals of concern
• Plastic pollution potential
• Responsible sourcing
• Climate impact

With this guide, procurement specialists can make more informed decision-making in foodware and food packaging selection.

Digital Product Passports

Global standards body NFC Forum unveiled a new specification for storing sustainability data directly on product tags, leveraging Near Field Communication (NFC) technology already in use in logistics and retail. This development could enable more transparent lifecycle communication to help manufacturers meet global green manufacturing regulations.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Packaging Policy Resources

U.S. Packaging Legislation & PET Recycling

NAPCOR released “Increasing PET Thermoform Recycling,” a white paper aimed at California policymakers implementing the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. It also provides guidance for other U.S. states developing similar EPR legislation.

U.K. Circular Economy & EPR Scheme Development

In the U.K., environmental think tank Green Alliance published “Beyond the Bin,” which outlines inefficiencies in current supply chains and suggests reforms for the government’s Circular Economy Strategy. Separately, PackUK—administrator for U.K.’s packaging EPR scheme—issued a first draft version of its Recycling Assessment Methodology. However, the Foodservice Packaging Association has raised concerns about the lack of consultation and accuracy in the current draft.

Workforce Training and Packaging Education

A cross-disciplinary team of nursing and packaging professors at the University of Wisconsin–Stout received a $175,000 grant to develop a medical packaging education program. The goal: to enhance patient safety and sustainability while promoting cost-effective, reusable packaging systems.

Creative Recycling Campaigns and Practical Tools for Consumers

Recycling education received an imaginative boost through inventive storytelling and digital campaigns:

• Stan’s Café: A U.K. theater company debuted “The Many Lives of PET#1,” a one-hour comedy using actors and puppets to playfully explore plastics policy and the circular economy, inspired by a University of Birmingham report.
• Alupro: The aluminum packaging recycling organization took to social media with a roving-reporter–style campaign where kids competed against adults in recycling trivia—making the subject accessible and memorable across age groups.
• DoSomething.org: The nonprofit launched Talking Trash, a youth-driven campaign that equips Gen Z and Gen Alpha with knowledge and tools to improve recycling in their communities. Amplified by influencer Summer Dean and youth ambassador Katelyn Knox, the campaign blends grassroots action with digital engagement.
• Pizza Hut x Smurfit Westrock: A collaborative campaign and dedicated website, pizzahut.com, clarified that 79% of Americans have access to pizza box recycling programs—debunking a common myth that greasy pizza boxes can’t be recycled.

Supporting these creative efforts are several practical resources designed to boost recycling access and awareness:

• Plastic Film Recycling Directory: The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance launched this tool to help U.S. consumers locate drop-off sites for plastic bags and wraps that aren’t accepted curbside.
• How2Recycle Labeling Updates: GreenBlue updated guidelines for on-pack recycling instructions for composite canisters and aerosol cans. The organization also signaled that more downgrades may be ahead for other hard-to-recycle formats.
• Empties.org: Developed by the beverage industry, this new website connects Iowa residents to nearby bottle and can redemption centers.
• Great British Beauty Clean Up: The British Beauty Council's Sustainable Beauty Coalition launched its campaign to promote refill and reuse options, and is revamping an interactive recycling map to highlight programs offered by beauty brands.

Driving Sustainable Changes

The packaging industry is clearly energized, with stakeholders collaborating and innovating to advance sustainability on multiple fronts. From digital product passports to theater-driven education, the developments in Q1 demonstrate a powerful shift towards more responsible practices.

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