March 2026: From Policy to Practice - What’s Changing in Packaging
Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab Newsletter, your monthly update on the innovations, regulations, and real-world strategies reshaping the future of packaging. We’re sharing what we’re seeing across our labs, our supplier ecosystem, and the conversations happening with brands every day.
If you crave to have the latest insights, trends, and expert advice sent directly to your inbox or phone every month, then subscribe to Sustainable Packaging Newsletter now!
Refill Is Scaling – But Not for the Reasons You Think
Refillable packaging keeps coming up as one of the most promising paths forward and new research from Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) reinforces that the interest is already there. Across demographics, skincare users are open to refill systems, especially for everyday products like lotions and cleansers.
But adoption isn’t being driven by sustainability alone.
What stood out most is how practical the decision really is. Consumers say they want to reduce waste but what actually determines whether they buy is much simpler: Is it easy? Is it convenient? Can I find it?
If the answer is no to any of those, refill doesn’t happen.
There’s also a clear signal around design. The formats people gravitate toward aren’t the most innovative, they’re the most familiar. Glass, plastic, and aluminum bottles still outperform pods or cartridges. Not because they’re better technically, but because they fit into routines people already have.
And then there’s the nuance that’s easy to miss: Recyclability matters but it’s not always the deciding factor. A majority of consumers said they would still consider refill systems even if parts of the packaging weren’t recyclable. That doesn’t mean it’s unimportant it just means it’s not what tips the scale.
So what does?
Friction. Or more specifically, the absence of it.
The takeaway here isn’t that refill needs to be more advanced, it’s that it needs to be more intuitive. The systems that will scale are the ones that feel obvious, not effortful.
For brands, this shifts the focus. It’s less about introducing entirely new formats, and more about rethinking how to deliver reuse in a way that feels familiar, accessible, and built for real life.
Because at the end of the day, the most sustainable packaging isn’t the one with the best story, it’s the one people actually use.
To read the full report from Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), CLICK HERE.
Designed for reuse at scale: Jarbot™ is built around the “prefill” reuse model, one of the most viable pathways for CPG, enabling brands to deliver products in durable packaging that can be collected, cleaned, and redeployed efficiently
Engineered for reverse logistics: Nestable jars, cups, and closures significantly reduce return shipping costs and improve transport efficiency, addressing one of the biggest barriers to reuse systems
Shared system, not siloed packaging: Designed for cross-category pooling, Jarbot increases collection velocity by allowing multiple brands and formats to use the same packaging ecosystem, reducing storage, sorting, and cost per use
Built to overcome real-world constraints: The system directly tackles challenges like low return rates, SKU complexity, and retailer storage limitations by simplifying formats and enabling scalable collection strategies
From single-use to system thinking: Jarbot reflects a shift away from one-way packaging toward circular systems that are intentionally designed for multiple lifecycles, operational feasibility, and long-term cost efficiency
Contact Us to learn more about the Jarbot™ Reusable Packaging System and other SDL innovations!
1. Color is Carbon
Rethinking Inks with Living Ink
In this episode, hosts Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen are joined by Living Ink Technologies CEO, Scott Fulbright, to explore how pigments—especially carbon black—represent an often-overlooked but significant contributor to packaging’s environmental impact. They unpack how bio-based pigments derived from waste biomass can serve as drop-in replacements, while aligning with emerging EPR and regulatory frameworks to turn inks into a measurable lever for sustainability.
2. Right-Sized Packaging
Packsize on Reducing Waste, Freight Costs, and Complexity
In this episode, hosts Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen are joined by Packsize leaders, Michael Marszalek and Cameron Stout, to explore why dimensional efficiency is one of the most overlooked drivers of sustainable packaging, often delivering greater impact than material substitution alone. They break down how automated right-sized packaging systems reduce hidden waste, improve operational performance, and translate packaging optimization into measurable sustainability and cost outcomes as regulatory pressure accelerates adoption.
1. Packaging Policy Momentum (SPC Policy Update)
Packaging policy activity is accelerating at both the state and federal levels, with a growing focus on extended producer responsibility (EPR), recyclability standards, and waste reduction targets. Recent updates from the Sustainable Packaging Coalition highlight how quickly the regulatory landscape is evolving.
Why it matters for packaging design:
- EPR legislation continues to expand.More U.S. states are introducing or advancing EPR laws, shifting financial and operational responsibility for packaging waste to producers.
- Recyclability definitions are tightening.Policies are increasingly aligning around what qualifies as “recyclable,” often tied to real-world collection and processing rates.
- Compliance is becoming more complex. Brands may need to navigate varying state-by-state requirements, reporting obligations, and material restrictions.
What to watch:
- Implementation timelines for existing EPR laws (e.g., California, Colorado)
- Additional states introducing packaging legislation
- Increased alignment between policy, labeling requirements, and infrastructure capabilities
2. Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Upgrades
Recycling infrastructure is quietly undergoing a major modernization cycle. Across North America, material recovery facilities are investing in automation and AI to improve sorting accuracy and recover more material from the waste stream.
Why it matters for packaging design:
- AI and robotics are improving sortation. Advanced optical sorters and robotic arms can now identify materials faster and more accurately than manual sorting.
- More materials can potentially be recovered. Upgrades help capture flexible packaging, films, and other historically difficult materials.
- Design for recycling is increasingly tied to infrastructure. Packaging that aligns with existing sorting capabilities has a higher chance of actually being recovered. Click HERE to learn more.
3. Truth in Labeling Requirements
Governments are tightening rules around recyclability claims to reduce consumer confusion and prevent misleading environmental messaging.
What’s changing:
- Recyclability claims must reflect real infrastructure. If a material cannot be widely processed in recycling systems, it may not qualify for “recyclable” labeling.
- Clear disposal instructions are becoming mandatory. Several policies require standardized on-pack recycling labeling to guide consumers.
- Scrutiny on sustainability claims is increasing. Brands are expected to substantiate environmental messaging with verifiable data. Click HERE to learn more.
Have questions about how these policy shifts impact your packaging? Connect with our sustainability specialists to assess risk, ensure compliance, and identify opportunities.
ENSURE Conference | April 13-15 | Boston, MA
The Ensure Conference in Boston brings together leaders across healthcare, life sciences, and supply chain to explore the future of product safety, quality, and compliance. This year’s event will feature our very own Brodie Vander Dussen as a keynote speaker and Kaitlin Jones, MPA, sharing insights on advancing packaging systems to better support safety, sustainability, and performance. Through expert-led sessions and cross-industry collaboration, attendees will gain practical strategies for building more resilient and reliable healthcare supply chains.
Register at: https://ensure.unitedscientificgroup.org/
SPC Impact 2026 | April 21–23 | Nashville, TN
Leaders from across the packaging value chain will gather in Nashville for SPC Impact 2026, the annual conference hosted by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. The event focuses on the systems shaping the future of sustainable packaging, from EPR policy and recycling infrastructure to material innovation and circular design strategies. Through expert panels, workshops, and industry collaboration, attendees explore how packaging can better align with real-world recovery and sustainability goals.
Register: https://greenblueevents.org/event/spc-impact-2026/
Will you be there? Let’s meet up!
Click here to get in contact with the SDL team to set up a meeting.
Whether you’re preparing for EPR, exploring material innovation, or looking for LCA-backed decision-making, our team can help you build a future-forward packaging strategy.
Want to collaborate on an R&D project?
Need help evaluating your packaging portfolio?
Want a tour of the Sustainable Design Lab?
We’d love to work with you. Let’s innovate together. Click Here to Get Started
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Whether it’s new material innovations or practical design strategies, we’ve got the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and drive your sustainability efforts forward.
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Want to learn more about
Sustainable Packaging?
We have created some resources to guide you in your transition to sustainable packaging:
Sustainably Packaged Magazine
Veritiv’s magazine dedicated to Sustainable Packaging insights, trends & ideas. Available for download now.
Sustainable Design Lab Podcast
Chris and Brodie chat with industry leaders about sustainable packaging options, new products, and how we can improve packaging sustainability.
EPR for Packaging Masterclass Series
A companion piece to Veritiv’s SDL Packaging Masterclass Podcast series that explores the big ideas reshaping packaging. This guide walks you through the key elements of EPR programs and what they mean for your packaging strategy.