US Sustainability in Packaging

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

2. COVID-19 Pandemic

• Overview
• Impact on the Economy
• Impact on the Packaging Industry
• Impact on Sustainability Efforts

3. Packaging Introduction

• Study Scope & Packaging Definition
• Packaging Markets
  • Sales Outlook
  • Markets Overview
  • Food Packaging
  • Beverage Packaging
  • Pharmaceutical Packaging
  • Foodservice
  • Other Markets
• Key Packaging Product Trends
  • Corrugated & Paperboard Boxes
  • Rigid Packaging
  • Flexible Packaging
  • Bulk Packaging
  • Protective Packaging
  • Retail Bags
• Materials Competition
  • Key Trends in Materials Use
  • Demand by Material
  • Paper Packaging
  • Plastic Packaging
  • Metal Packaging
  • Molded Fiber Packaging
  • Glass Packaging
  • Other Packaging

4. What Drives Packaging Choice?

• The Challenge in Finding the Best Packaging Solution
• Pricing Trends & Packaging Cost
• Performance
• Changing Package Size Preferences
• Shelf Appeal
• Regulations
  • Plastic Bag & Container Bans
  • PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl & Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in Food Packaging
  • Container Deposit Laws
  • Recycled Plastic Content Regulations
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

5. Consumer Attitudes & Packaging Preferences

• Recycling Participation Rated by Material
• Packaging Materials Ranked by Perceived Eco-Friendliness
• Sustainable Packaging Features Particularly Sought by Consumers
• Attitudes About Recycling & Biodegradability
• Attitudes About Recycling
• Attitudes About Recyclable or Compostable Packaging
• Curbside Recycling Services: Consumer Access
• Drop-Off Recycling Services: Consumer Usage

6. What Is Sustainability?

• Introduction
• Total Environmental Footprint
• Key Goals
  • Resource/Waste Reduction
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Pollution & Waste Prevention
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Food Waste Reduction
• Areas of Focus
  • Recycling
  • Recycled Content Usage
  • Biodegradability
  • Compostability
  • Renewable Resources
  • Reusability
• Packaging Material Sustainability Comparison
  • Competitive Factors
  • Material Recycling Rate Comparison

7. Market Spotlight: Foodservice Packaging

• Market Scope
• Demand Forecast
• Materials Comparison
• New Sustainable Packaging Developments
• Suppliers & Sustainability Goals

8. Materials Spotlight: Bioplastics (PLA & PHA)

• Product Description
• Demand Forecast
  • Demand by Material
  • PLA (Polylactic Acid) Polymers
  • PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) Polymers
• Suppliers
• Consumer Insights: Conventional Plastics v. Bioplastics

9. Product Spotlight: Clamshells

• Product Description
• Demand Forecast
• Materials Comparison
• New Sustainable Product Development
• Suppliers & Sustainability Initiatives

10. End User Strategies & Goals

• Packaging End Users Up the Ante on Sustainability Targets
• The Walmart Effect
• Recycled Plastic Content Targets
• Shifting Away from Plastic to Paper- & Plant-Based Packaging
• Prominent Labels Can Convey Subtler Sustainability Attributes
• Expansion of Reusable Packaging Programs

11. Plastic Packaging Sustainability

• Leading Packaging Products
• Key Sustainability Metrics
  • Plastics Recycling Rate
  • Recycled Content Usage
  • Labeling & Bale Standards
  • Captive Recycling Operations
  • Source Reduction Efforts
  • Biodegradable Plastics
  • Compostable Plastics
  • Bioplastics
• Packaging Producer Strategies & Goals
  • Leading Plastic Packaging Producers
  • Amcor
  • Berry Global
  • Sealed Air
• Consumer Trends in Plastic Packaging Recycling
  • Plastic Container Recycling
  • Plastic Film & Bag Recycling
• New Product Development Efforts

12. Paper & Paperboard Packaging

• Leading Packaging Products
• Key Sustainability Metrics
  • Paper Recycling Rate
  • Recycled Content Usage
  • Source Reduction Efforts
  • Biodegradable & Compostable Products
• Packaging Producer Strategies & Goals
• Consumer Trends in Paper Packaging Recycling
  • Paper Recycling
  • Paperboard & Corrugated Recycling
• New Product Development Efforts

13. Metal Packaging

• Leading Packaging Products
• Key Sustainability Metrics
  • Metal Recycling Rate
  • Recycled Content Usage
  • Source Reduction Efforts
• Packaging Producer Strategies & Goals
• New Product Development Efforts

14. Glass Packaging

• Leading Packaging Products
• Key Sustainability Metrics
  • Glass Recycling Rate
  • Recycled Content Usage
  • Source Reduction Efforts
• Packaging Producer Strategies & Goals
• Consumer Trends in Glass Container Recycling
• New Product Development Efforts

15. Molded Fiber Packaging

• Leading Packaging Products
• Materials Overview
  • Molded Wood Fiber (Pulp)
  • Molded Sugarcane
  • Other Molded Fiber
• Key Sustainability Metrics
  • Molded Fiber Recycling
  • Recycled Content Usage
  • Biodegradable & Compostable Products
  • Wood Pulp vs. Agricultural Waste
• Packaging Producer Strategies & Goals
• New Product Development Efforts

16. List of Industry Participants

17. Appendix

• Report Details
• Definitions
• Abbreviations
• Freedonia Methodology
• Study-Specific Methodology
• Sources
• Associations & Agencies
• Related Studies & Reports
• Macroeconomic Assumptions
  • Economic Environment
  • Demographic Trends
  • Consumer Spending
  • Retail Sales

List of Tables

2. COVID-19 Pandemic

• Table 2-1. Macroeconomic Indicators, 2020 - 2024 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

3. Packaging Introduction

• Table 3-1. Key Advantages & Disadvantages by Packaging Material Type

4. What Drives Packaging Choice?

• Table 4-1. Key Performance Characteristics by Packaging Material Type

5. Consumer Attitudes & Packaging Preferences

• Table 5-1. Consumer Recycling Frequency by Type of Packaging, 2023 (% of respondents with access to recycling for each type)
• Table 5-2. Consumer Perception of the Eco-Friendliness of Packaging Materials, 2023 (% total respondents)
• Table 5-3. Features Consumers Especially Look for When Considering Sustainable or Eco-Friendly Packaging by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% total respondents)
• Table 5-4. Consumer Attitudes About Recycled Plastics & Biodegradability by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of total respondents*)
• Table 5-5. Consumer Attitudes About Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of total respondents who agree with the statements*)
• Table 5-6. Consumer Attitudes About Recyclable & Recycled Content in Packaging by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents in agreement with the statements*)
• Table 5-7. Access To Curbside Recycling at Home by Product to Recycle, Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% total respondents)
• Table 5-8. Usage of Drop-Off Recycling Services (at a Store, Community Bin, Waste Management Facility, etc.) in the Last 12 Months by Product, Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of total respondents)

6. What Is Sustainability?

• Table 6-1. Rating Packaging Materials by Sustainability Metric

7. Market Spotlight: Foodservice Packaging

• Table 7-1. Foodservice Packaging Demand by Packaging Format, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, & 2032 (billion dollars)
• Table 7-2. Materials Used in Foodservice Packaging: Product Comparison and Common Uses
• Table 7-3. Foodservice Packaging Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, & 2032 (billion dollars)

8. Materials Spotlight: Bioplastics (PLA & PHA)

• Table 8-1. Consumer Perspectives on the Eco-Friendliness of Packaging Using Conventional Petroleum-Based Plastics by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket 2023 (% of total respondents)
• Table 8-2. Consumer Perspectives on the Eco-Friendliness of Packaging Using Plant-Based Bioplastics by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of total respondents)

9. Product Spotlight: Clamshells

• Table 9-1. Foodservice Clamshell Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, & 2032 (million dollars)

10. End User Strategies & Goals

• Table 10-1. Selected Consumer Packaged Goods Producers: Recycled Content Goals

11. Plastic Packaging Sustainability

• Table 11-1. Selected Plastic Packaging Suppliers: Recycled Content Goals
• Table 11-2. Plastic Packaging Waste Collected for Recycling by Product & Resin, 2018 - 2021 (million pounds)
• Table 11-3. Consumer Frequency of Plastic Container Curb-Side Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents with access to plastic container curb-side recycling services)
• Table 11-4. Consumer Frequency of Plastic Container Drop-Off Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents with access to plastic container drop-off recycling services)
• Table 11-5. Consumer Frequency of Plastic Film & Bag Curb-Side Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2022 (% of respondents with access to curb-side plastic film & bag recycling services)

12. Paper & Paperboard Packaging

• Table 12-1. Consumer Frequency of Paper Curb-Side Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents with access to paper curb-side recycling services)
• Table 12-2. Consumer Frequency of Paper Drop-Off Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents with access to paper drop-off recycling services)
• Table 12-3. Consumer Frequency of Paperboard & Corrugated Curb-Side Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents with access to paperboard & corrugated curb-side recycling services)
• Table 12-4. Consumer Frequency of Paperboard & Corrugated Drop-Off Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents with access to paperboard & corrugated drop-off recycling services)

14. Glass Packaging

• Table 14-1. Consumer Frequency of Glass Container Curb-Side Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents with access to glass container curb-side recycling services)
• Table 14-2. Consumer Frequency of Glass Container Drop-Off Recycling by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, & Annual Household Income Bracket, 2023 (% of respondents with access to glass container drop-off recycling services)

16. List of Industry Participants

• Table 16-1. Selected Industry Participants

17. Appendix

• Table 17-1. Relevant Industry Codes
• Table 17-2. Abbreviations & Acronyms Used in Study
• Table 17-3. Macroeconomic Indicators, 2012, 2017, 2022, & 2027 (billion 2012 dollars)
• Table 17-4. Population & Households, 2012, 2017, 2022, & 2027 (million persons)
• Table 17-5. Personal Consumption Expenditures & Retail Sales, 2012, 2017, 2022, & 2027 (billion dollars)
• Table 17-6. Nondurable Goods & Retail Sales, 2012, 2017, 2022, & 2027 (billion dollars)

List of Figures

1. Executive Summary

• Figure 1-1. Sustainable Packaging Market

2. COVID-19 Pandemic

• Figure 2-1. Real GDP by Economic Sector, 2020 - 2023 (% annual change)

3. Packaging Introduction

• Figure 3-1. Packaging Demand, 2012 - 2024 (billion dollars)
• Figure 3-2. Packaging Demand by Market, 2023 (billion dollars)
• Figure 3-3. Food Packaging Demand by Material, 2023 (billion dollars)
• Figure 3-4. Beverage Packaging Demand by Material, 2023 (billion dollars)
• Figure 3-5. Pharmaceutical Packaging Demand by Material, 2023 (billion dollars)
• Figure 3-6. Foodservice Packaging Demand by Material, 2023 (billion dollars)
• Figure 3-7. Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand, 2012 - 2024 (billion dollars)
• Figure 3-8. Packaging Demand by Material, 2023 (billion dollars)

4. What Drives Packaging Choice?

• Figure 4-1. Comparison of Prices for Competitive Packaging Products

6. What Is Sustainability?

• Figure 6-1. Packaging Recycling Rates by Material, 2010, 2015, 2017, & 2018 (%)

7. Market Spotlight: Foodservice Packaging

• Figure 7-1. Foodservice Packaging: Product Examples
• Figure 7-2. Foodservice Packaging Demand, 2012-- 2027 (billion dollars)
• Figure 7-3. Foodservice Packaging Demand Growth by Material, 2012- 2027 (% CAGR)

8. Materials Spotlight: Bioplastics (PLA & PHA)

• Figure 8-1. Bioplastic Packaging: Product Examples
• Figure 8-2. Bioplastic Packaging Demand by Material, 2023 (million dollars)

9. Product Spotlight: Clamshells

• Figure 9-1. Clamshells: Product Examples
• Figure 9-2. Foodservice Clamshell Demand, 2012 - 2027 (million dollars)
• Figure 9-3. Foodservice Clamshell Demand by Material, 2012 - 2027 (% CAGR)

11. Plastic Packaging Sustainability

• Figure 11-1. Plastic Packaging: Product Examples
• Figure 11-2. Plastic Packaging Recycling Rate, 2010, 2015, 2017, & 2018 (%)

12. Paper & Paperboard Packaging

• Figure 12-1. Paper & Paperboard Packaging: Product Examples
• Figure 12-2. Paper & Paperboard Packaging Recycling Rate by Product, 2010, 2015, 2017, & 2018 (%)

13. Metal Packaging

• Figure 13-1. Metal Packaging: Product Examples
• Figure 13-2. Metal Packaging Recycling Rate by Type, 2010, 2015, 2017, & 2018 (%)

14. Glass Packaging

• Figure 14-1. Glass Packaging: Product Examples
• Figure 14-2. Glass Packaging Recycling Rate by Product, 2010, 2015, 2017, & 2018 (%)

15. Molded Fiber Packaging

• Figure 15-1. Molded Fiber Packaging: Product Examples
• © by The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com