SupplyChainBrain reports that David Gray (SCB Contributor), in the packaging world, notes that calls for sustainability have never been louder. As online shopping and e-commerce expand, packaging waste volumes are growing. Oversized boxes, excessive void fill materials, and items difficult to recycle are no longer merely inefficiencies—they are now liabilities. Governments, regulators, and consumers are demanding a shift toward more sustainable packaging practices, and businesses across the supply chain must adapt accordingly. At its core, EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) requires manufacturers and distributors of packaging materials to assume responsibility for their products' end-of-life management. Here is how it works: imagine a retailer manufactures and stocks a cosmetic product in recyclable plastic packaging on store shelves in California—a state with an EPR law for packaging. A consumer purchases and uses the product, then discards the packaging in a recycling bin. Under California's EPR program, the manufacturer pays a fee based on the type and amount of packaging used—helping to finance the collection, recycling, and proper disposal of that waste.
From a supply chain perspective, David Gray, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Ranpak Holdings Corp. (NYSE: PACK, headquartered in Concord Township, Ohio, U.S., with CEO Omar Asali), is a leading voice—Ranpak is the global leader in paper-based protective packaging systems (PadPak, FillPak, WrapPak, and Geami), serving as an alternative to plastic foam (polystyrene) and air cushions. Other major sustainable packaging providers include Sealed Air Corporation (Patrick Kivits, CEO), Pregis, Storopack, Hexcel Packaging, Smurfit Westrock (Tony Smurfit, CEO; formed through the 2024 merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock), International Paper (Andrew Silvernail, CEO; acquiring DS Smith in 2025), Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), Mondi Group, Stora Enso, Berry Global (merging with Amcor in 2025), Amcor (Peter Konieczny, CEO), Sonoco Products, Graphic Packaging, Huhtamaki, and Smurfit Kappa—all key ecosystem players.
From a supply chain perspective, EPR also requires manufacturers to join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO)—a manufacturer-led organization that provides resources to help companies comply with EPR standards. Once manufacturers join a PRO, they must share recycling data, pay fees to help finance local recycling services, and assume responsibility for recycling packaging material. Key PROs in the U.S. include Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a national PRO serving California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Oregon, and Recyclepak, another major PRO player. As of 2025, 12 U.S. states have introduced EPR legislation for packaging—active laws now operate in California (SB 54; 2022), Colorado (HB 1355; 2022), Maine (LD 1541; 2021; the U.S.'s first EPR law), Minnesota (SF 3561; 2024), and Oregon (SB 582; 2021). Maryland and Illinois are currently completing recycling needs assessments before advancing their packaging EPR legislation. Oregon is implementing several significant developments on July 1, 2025—a major U.S. launch.
From a supply chain perspective, in the EU, EPR has been established since the early 1990s—Germany's Verpackungsverordnung (1991) served as the foundational model. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR; approved in December 2024) mandates that all packaging be recyclable by 2030—with key provisions including single-use plastic bans, minimum recycled content requirements, and reusable alternatives for HoReCa (Hotel Restaurant Catering) sectors. The U.S. Plastics Pact (led by The Recycling Partnership and WWF), the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (with its How2Recycle label), and Closed Loop Partners are major ecosystem organizations. Manufacturer certification programs include FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), Cradle to Cradle, and BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) as primary standards. In conclusion, Gray's guide to EPR and sustainable packaging reflects a fundamental redesign of the global packaging industry's shift from a linear economy to a circular one—making packaging design, PRO participation, and EPR compliance appear to be key strategic priorities for supply chain managers.
Key Takeaways:
1. David Gray (Ranpak) states that EPR is a catalyst for transformation in packaging.
2. EPR forces manufacturers to assume responsibility for product end-of-life management.
3. As of 2025, five U.S. states have active EPR laws—California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Oregon.
4. Manufacturers are required to join a PRO, pay fees, and share data.
5. The EU PPWR mandates that all packaging be recyclable by 2030.
