Sustainable Packaging: On Track for Big Growth

In 2004, packaging professionals from two dozen corporations including Coca-Cola, Estée Lauder/Aveda, Masterfoods, Nike, PepsiCo, Starbucks, and Unilever came together to form the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), which has since grown to encompass over 50 member companies. SPC defines sustainable package as “sourced responsibly; designed to be effective and safe throughout its life cycle; meets market criteria and cost; is made entirely using renewable energy and once used, is recycled efficiently to provide a valuable resource for subsequent generations.” Essentially, a sustainable package has zero impact on its environment. For the moment, this is difficult to achieve. Comprehensive infrastructure isn’t currently in place to support widespread sustainable packaging; however, brand owners and retailers are moving closer to the goal.