Sean Riley. On this episode, we welcome back longtime pod favorite, Rebecca Marquez, Director of Custom Research at PMMI, to discuss insights from the updated Packaging Compass Report. Rebecca highlights trends in packaging materials, including the resilience of plastics, the growing interest in compostables, and the impact of sustainability legislation. She also addresses challenges like adapting outdated or legacy machinery to new materials and explores promising solutions like recycled content, offering valuable expertise on the future of sustainable packaging. Let's have a listen.
With all the fancy introductions out of the way, welcome to the podcast, Rebecca.
Rebecca Marquez: Thanks for having me, Sean.
Sean Riley: Today we're revisiting the Packaging Compass Report. We've made some updates to it that we're going to be talking about. So, what are we referring to when we mention that report?
Rebecca Marquez: The Compass Report is a study we conducted with Ameripen in 2023. It focuses primarily on packaging materials, and thanks to Ameripen's collaboration, it also includes a lot of information on emerging regulations.
If you're not familiar, Ameripen is a great organization that complements PMMI by advocating for the packaging industry on Capitol Hill. They focus on ensuring fair and practical regulations, covering all types of packaging materials. For the 2023 Compass Report, the key topics were regulations and material usage trends. This year, we've done a focused update on material usage alone, leaving regulations aside.
Sean Riley: Okay.
Rebecca Marquez: We wanted to see what changes occurred since our initial research in 2022.
Sean Riley: So, what were some key findings from the 2023 report?
Rebecca Marquez: One of the big findings was that plastics are here to stay.
Sean Riley: Right.
Rebecca Marquez: Despite the negative attention plastics receive, especially single-use plastics, they remain essential. PMMI doesn't take a stance on banning plastics; instead, we focus on tracking trends in material usage so our members are informed about what to expect.
Another significant finding was the rise in interest in compostable materials. Many end users view compostables as the future of packaging, even though the U.S. infrastructure isn't yet equipped to handle them.
Sean Riley: Interesting.
Rebecca Marquez: Lastly, awareness around sustainability legislation is increasing. Many companies now recognize the need to adapt due to changes in regulations like EPR, which is already implemented in several states and being discussed in many more.
Sean Riley: Very interesting. You've started working on new research for 2024. What are some emerging issues or concerns since the last report?
Rebecca Marquez: Many issues remain consistent, like the growth of plastics and the challenges with end-of-life practices. However, we're hearing more about flexibility in machinery to handle diverse materials. Many end users are working with legacy equipment that wasn’t designed for today’s materials, creating significant obstacles.
Sean Riley: Right.
Rebecca Marquez: Flexibility in machinery and energy efficiency are becoming top priorities for these companies.
Sean Riley: So, what are the most promising materials for sustainable packaging?
Rebecca Marquez: Recycled content is gaining momentum. Compared to 2022, recycled materials are more available, affordable, and reliable in terms of quality. We're also seeing a decline in the use of foams, with many companies transitioning to more sustainable options.
Sean Riley: That’s great insight.
Rebecca Marquez: If you're attending PACK EXPO Southeast, you’ll see innovations like the materials dashboard and PACK EXPO Green, showcasing the future of sustainable packaging.
Sean Riley: Awesome. Thanks for sharing your expertise, Rebecca, and good luck with the
upcoming report and PACK EXPO Southeast!
Rebecca Marquez: You're welcome, Sean. See you soon!
