At SPC Impact 2026, Olga Kachook of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) delivered a clear message to packaging companies:

EPR compliance is essential — but it is not a complete sustainability strategy.

As brands face reporting deadlines, fee structures and stricter packaging legislation, SPC’s latest Sustainable Packaging Trends Report encourages companies to look beyond short-term compliance and build packaging portfolios for a more circular future.

Compliance Is a Foundation, Not the Strategy

Kachook said mastering EPR is now an unavoidable part of sustainable packaging. But companies that stop at compliance risk missing the larger opportunity.

The stronger approach is to use regulation as a foundation for:

• better material choices
• recyclability improvements
• portfolio redesign
• circular packaging systems
• long-term risk reduction

“Set Your Own Certainty”

One of the report’s strongest recommendations is for brands to stop waiting for every regulatory detail to become perfectly clear.

Instead, packaging teams should assume that rules will remain strict or become stricter.

That means designing now for:

• broader reporting requirements
• smaller component disclosure
• tougher recyclability definitions
• higher EPR accountability
• future market access demands

Global Recyclability Rules Are Becoming Clearer

SPC points to markets such as Canada, the EU and the U.K., where recyclability definitions are becoming more standardized.

This creates an important opportunity for global brands.

Rather than redesigning packaging market by market, companies can begin building packaging systems that work across multiple regions.

Healthcare Packaging Becomes a New Innovation Frontier

Kachook also highlighted healthcare and OTC packaging as an area where sustainability innovation is beginning to accelerate.

Historically, strict safety requirements slowed change in this category. But solutions such as:

• paper bottles
• refill systems
• material substitution
• improved recyclability

are now creating new opportunities.

Prescription pill bottles were described as a major untapped area for sustainable packaging development.

Industry Insight

SPC’s message reflects a broader shift in packaging strategy.

The companies best positioned for the next phase will not be those simply reacting to EPR deadlines. They will be the companies using today’s regulatory pressure to redesign packaging for tomorrow’s market.

Final Thought

EPR is forcing companies to measure packaging impact more seriously.

But the real competitive advantage will come from turning compliance into strategy.

Packaging teams that plan for stricter rules now may avoid future disruption and move closer to true circular packaging systems.

Last Updated on 12/05/2026 by Jota Machinery