Unwrapping Ambitious Packaging Commitments in the U.S.
Unwrapping Ambitious Packaging Commitments in the U.S.
Report Provides Insights for Advancing Toward 100% Reusable, Recyclable or Compostable Packaging in the Circular Economy
AMERIPEN and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation have issued a report, “Unwrapping Ambitious Packaging Commitments in the U.S.,” highlighting opportunities and challenges in pursuit of 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging goals. The report summarizes insights by more than 20 thought leaders from across the U.S. packaging value chain who came together to discuss how to navigate the ever changing packaging landscape and harness innovation and scale to achieve lasting improvements.
The September 2018 discussion, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and AMERIPEN, explored what will be needed to help brands, retailers and others seeking to achieve circular packaging goals. Specific topics addressed during the Salon included contamination, emerging trends such as ecommerce packaging and food waste prevention, consumer access and behavior towards recycling, as well as metrics and data to assess performance.
Both parties will now work independently to leverage the report insights in order to help advance the national dialogue on packaging and recovery. AMERIPEN will continue the dialogue around needs and opportunities in 2019 with the intention of advancing a collaborative-stakeholder vision for a made-in-the-U.S. strategy. A series of events throughout the year have been developed to explore the intersection of packaging with recovery, design, product protection and external environmental impacts, such as marine debris.
AMERIPEN sees this shift towards a circular packaging system as a positive opportunity to leverage packaging design and collection systems to best manage materials for continued beneficial use in the economy. The association cautions however that this vision must also include recognition of the value and purpose of packaging in providing product protection.