Regardless of where companies currently stand on the sustainability spectrum, there is always room for growth — and certainly the demand to support it. As consumer awareness of sustainable brand practices grows, there are some considerations that companies must make to catch up or stay ahead of the curve.

In January, U.S. plastic bag manufacturers and recyclers signed a sustainability commitment for the industry and renamed its coalition the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance (ARPBA). The agreement by ARPBA members includes a target that 95% of plastic retail bags be reused or recycled by 2025.

Radio Roasters' new single-use Steeped Coffee Bags reinvents the way imbibers brew and drink specialty coffee, with guilt-free, biodegradable packaging that is fully recyclable and environmentally responsible.

The NoTree™ line of hot cups, cold cups and bowls from compostable products company World Centric® has been selected as the 2019 NEXTY award winner in the Best Environmentally Responsible Packaging category.

Pizza Hut has introduced a limited-time test of a plant-based pizza topping served in a round pizza box. The test of both innovations will take place exclusively at one Pizza Hut location in Phoenix.

To address packaging sustainability challenges, PMMI gathered insights from industry experts who will be featured at PACK EXPO Las Vegas.

Hansen Packaging has developed a full product line of jars for the cannabis industry with benefits such as: a drastic reduction in the amount of material used in making the jars, the use of renewable resources and an environmentally responsible end-of-life disposal. 

It is obvious that the packaging world is taking sustainability in packaging — as well as operations — seriously. The numerous brands, retailers, suppliers and packaging companies that continue to change practices as well as offer lighter, recycled or reusable materials attest to it. But is it enough?