As policymakers across the country consider how to improve recycling and reduce waste, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: we won’t achieve better outcomes without strengthening the system that supports recycling and the role of recycled material within it.
That was a central theme of a recent panel discussion I participated in with state legislators, hosted by Women In Government. We explored how policy can support more effective, affordable, and sustainable recycling systems for food packaging.
Packaging Plays a Critical Role, and That Shapes the Challenge
Food packaging is not designed in a vacuum. It must meet rigorous safety standards, protect against contamination, extend shelf life, and reduce food waste, all while remaining affordable for families.
These requirements often result in packaging formats that are lightweight, durable, and sometimes complex, including multilayer materials that help preserve freshness and prevent spoilage.
While these innovations improve food safety and reduce waste, they can also present challenges for today’s recycling system.
A Recycling System That Needs to Evolve
Access to recycling varies widely by geography. Many urban and suburban communities have established curbside programs, while rural communities often face limited or no access. Even where collection exists, gaps in sorting and processing infrastructure, including a shortage of materials recovery facilities in large regions of the country, can limit what is ultimately recycled.
At the same time, consumers are navigating a system that is often inconsistent and confusing. What is accepted in one community may not be accepted in another. Misconceptions, such as the belief that items must be perfectly clean to be recyclable, can further complicate participation. (Please put those peanut butter containers and toothpaste tubes in the bin!)
If we want to increase recycling rates, we must address these system-level challenges.
Recycling Requires a Broader Toolbox
Mechanical recycling remains the foundation of today’s system and works well for many commonly used materials.
However, it cannot process every type of packaging, particularly certain food packaging formats like films and multilayer materials.
Emerging recycling technologies can complement mechanical recycling by expanding the range of materials that can be recovered and returned to the supply chain as new raw materials for products and packaging. These technologies can also help address challenges related to additives, color, and contamination.
A more effective system will rely on multiple approaches working together, rather than a single solution.
Recycled Content Is the Other Half of the Equation
Improving recycling is only part of the solution. Using recycled materials in new packaging, particularly food-grade packaging, is equally critical.
Demand for recycled content helps create stable end markets, supports investment in recycling infrastructure, and ensures that collected materials are put back into productive use.
At the same time, incorporating recycled content into food packaging presents unique challenges. Food contact requirements are among the most stringent of any application, and manufacturers must meet strict safety and performance standards.
This is where innovation plays an essential role. Expanding the range of high-quality recycled materials that can meet these standards is key to increasing recycled content in food-grade applications.
Policy Should Focus on Outcomes and Real-World Conditions
As states consider policies to improve recycling, the most effective approaches share several characteristics:
- They focus on outcomes, such as increasing access, improving recovery rates, and expanding the use of recycled content
- They support infrastructure investment, including collection, sorting, and processing capacity
- They are technology-neutral, allowing innovation to help address evolving challenges
- They account for real-world conditions, including differences between urban, suburban, and rural communities
At the same time, greater consistency across states is critical. As panelist Erin Raden from Consumer Brands Association noted, “Brands can do just about anything we’re asked to do, we just can’t do it 50 different ways and tomorrow.” A patchwork of differing requirements can create unnecessary complexity and costs without improving recycling outcomes. More aligned, predictable policy frameworks can help accelerate progress while making it easier for companies to invest and comply.
Equally important, policy must balance environmental goals with affordability. Packaging plays a critical role in keeping food safe and reducing waste, and policy decisions that overlook these factors can lead to unintended consequences, including higher costs for families.
Building a System That Works
Closing the loop on food packaging requires more than incremental changes. It requires a system that is:
- Accessible to more communities
- Capable of handling a wider range of materials
- Supported by strong end markets for recycled content
- Designed to work in the real world
There is no single solution, but there is a clear path forward.
By strengthening recycling systems, supporting innovation, and increasing the use of recycled content, we can move closer to a more circular future for food packaging, one that delivers environmental benefits while continuing to meet the needs of consumers.
