SPC Advance Learnings: As goes California, so goes the nation
By: Chelsea Payne, Sustainability Manager, Sabert
At the recent annual Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) Advance conference in California, presenters from across the packaging industry emphasized that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and packaging sustainability are becoming central to business operations and compliance.
The event highlighted several trends shaping the future of packaging, including the growing demand for post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, advances in thermoform PET recycling, and increased adoption of AI in packaging design and material selection. At the same time, continued challenges with black plastic recyclability and more interest in reuse systems show that continued innovation is needed as sustainability becomes increasingly important to customers and the market.
Industry leaders and the Circular Action Alliance discussed how companies are working to meet regulatory requirements, reduce compliance costs, manage sustainability claims, and incorporate EPR considerations into packaging and procurement decisions.
A key discussion covered what California’s EPR legislation (often referred to as SB 54) means for packaging producers and their customers. The law aims for all foodservice ware to be 100% recyclable or compostable by 2032 and to reduce plastic entering the state’s waste or recycling streams by 25%. The session showed that staying ahead of legislation, understanding it, and offering alternative packaging options is now a main way to support customers while reducing packaging waste and advancing circular economy goals.
Speakers pointed out that source reduction can mean many things, like cutting unnecessary packaging, reducing package weight, improving product-to-package ratios, and expanding reuse and refill systems. Instead of using just one solution, companies will need to evaluate a range of approaches to achieve meaningful reductions.
QSR Considerations
Presenters from CAVA and Chipotle shared that they now include EPR considerations directly in packaging design decisions, weighing environmental outcomes alongside operational performance, food safety, customer experience, and cost. While EPR is attracting more attention from executive teams because of its financial implications, brands see it as just one part of a broader sustainability strategy focused on using less virgin material, improving recyclability, and driving innovation.
On Pack Labeling vs. Reality
Recent consumer insights highlight an important reality: recycling behavior is often influenced more by convenience, understanding, and local recycling practices than by package labels alone. While clear labeling remains essential, many people are unsure about what can and cannot be recycled, leading to contamination and missed recycling opportunities. These findings reinforce the need to design packaging that is not only recyclable, but also intuitive and easy for consumers to dispose of correctly. At Sabert, understanding the gap between recycling instructions and real-world behavior helps us develop packaging solutions that support both consumer needs and our broader sustainability goals, ultimately leading to better environmental outcomes across the value chain.
Looking ahead, packaging regulations and plastic source reduction initiatives are likely to expand beyond California. For companies like Sabert, keeping up with new laws and collaborating across the packaging value chain will be essential to identifying innovative solutions that support both business and long-term sustainability goals.
