ABOUT PACKAGING DESIGN
Effective sustainable packaging needs a holistic packaging design strategy. This means identifying opportunities for elimination or reduction, evaluating sourcing practices, optimizing for efficiency and transport, and working towards material health. It also means redesigning packaging to address some of the most urgent drivers of climate change – for example, the food waste in retail and consumer’s homes.
Explore our other Pillars 
Collaboratives
Explore more about Packaging Design through our Collaboratives and learn how SPC Members can get involved
Environmental Trade-offs Collaborative
Make sense of common packaging design trade-offs such as a higher carbon footprint for more recyclable packaging.
Paper Packaging Recyclability Collaborative
Focused on answering some of the most timely questions that companies are facing as they design innovative new paper-based packaging.
News & Updates
Stay up to date with the latest SPC news regarding Packaging Design
HOW TO LEVERAGE LCA TO PUSH SUSTAINABILITY GOALS FORWARD
Packaging Design Resources
What Are Product Category Rules and Environmental Product Declarations?
An overview of PCRs and EPDs, and how the two are connected to packaging life cycle assessment (LCA).
The Recycled Content Opportunity
Research shows narratives about recycled materials resonate powerfully with consumers.
SPC Materials Decision Matrix
Key considerations when choosing single-use packaging materials.
Framework for Reuse
Designed to help companies drive successful, scalable reuse initiatives.
Evaluating Alt & Non-Wood Fiber Use in Packaging
Assesses myths and trade-offs around packaging from alternative fibers.
2024 Packaging Innovation Trends Report
This trends report calls attention to innovations we’re seeing from both our Member companies and the international packaging community.
Guided Information for Sustainable Packaging Transformation (GIST)
A hub of sustainable resources, collated by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
Glossary of LCA and Environmental Trade-off Terms
This short resource provides a single point of reference for terminology and acronyms frequently used when discussing life cycle assessment, environmental trade-offs, carbon footprints, and related topics.
Definition of Sustainable Packaging
The principles of sustainable packaging aid the value chain in approaching sustainable packaging systematically, minimizing negative impacts, while improving performance and purpose.
Guide to Recycled Plastics: Part 3
This guide to recycled plastics aims to empower brands and their suppliers with an expanded knowledge of policy and legislation.
Guide to Recycled Plastics: Part 2
This guide to recycled plastics aims to empower brands and their suppliers with the knowledge to improve sourcing of recycled plastic.
Guide to Recycled Plastics: Part 1
This guide to recycled plastics aims to empower brands and their suppliers with the knowledge necessary to expand usage of recycled plastic.
Designing Packaging to Prevent & Divert Food Waste
Reduce food waste at the consumer and retailer levels by prioritizing food waste prevention and deploying the right packaging design.
How to Know If Your Paper Packaging Is Recyclable
An introduction to paper packaging recyclability test methods & specifications to serve as a guide for overall packaging design.
Understanding the Role of Compostable Packaging
The guide helps brands prevent problems down the road by evaluating which applications are the best fit for compostable packaging.
Can Packaging Help Divert Food Waste?
Case studies of two quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains in Vermont & New York.
Paper Packaging Design Guides
Covers currently available and in-development paper packaging design guides for recyclability.
Degradability Additives in Petroleum-Based Plastics
The SPC does not support the use of any kind of degradability additives in packaging, including additives that seek to make packaging more degradable.
Problematic Materials
The Problematic Materials workstream worked with The Plastics Pact Activators to to eliminate problematic and unnecessary resins, components, and formats by 2025.
“Biodegradable” Packaging
The SPC recommends that packaging companies do not use the term biodegradable to market their products to suppliers, retailers, or consumers.
A Primer on Recycled Plastic Packaging
PCR Primer for Retail Teams focused in Policy, Purchasing, Sourcing, Design, and Product Development surrounding plastic packaging.
Designing for End of Life by Product Category
Applying the right solution to the appropriate packaging challenge will offer the best use of stakeholders’ resources.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Eco-Modulation Overview
In this poicy resource, we provide an overview of eco-modulation in the EPR programs across the five states that have passed EPR laws, and it’s impact on packaging design.
How Companies Use LCA Tools to Meet Packaging Goals
Case studies leveraging Trayak’s screening LCA tool, EcoImpact-COMPASS, to measure environmental impacts associated with a packaging change.
Get in Touch with an Expert
Brad Kurzynowski
To learn more about sustainable packaging design – including responsible sourcing, material health, and design choices that reduce carbon emissions, contact Brad to get involved!