The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), an advocate and voice for the growing US flexible packaging industry, has announced the release of its newest sustainability report: "Flexible Packaging Path to a Circular Economy."

FPA partnered with PTIS, LLC and Priority Metrics Group (PMG) on this research report that explores the future of sustainability and flexible packaging through 2030. It provides information, knowledge, and insights related to flexible packaging and sustainability, circular economy, legislative trends, impacts to the industry along with key outcomes, and actions to enable the industry to align with circular economy principles where materials are collected, sorted, processed, and turned back into new products or packaging.

The report also provides a holistic system view of flexible packaging and sustainability while utilizing the latest insights and foresight to develop roadmaps designed for FPA members, policymakers, NGOs, consumer product companies, consumers, local municipalities, and other associations to advance sustainability and circular economy packaging efforts. The roadmaps can help guide individual members and other interested parties on approaches into the future for flexibles.

This report has a North American focus, but it should be noted that low flexible packaging recycling rates are a global issue. There are additional efforts underway around the globe to address concerns, particularly in Europe through organizations such as Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX) and the UK Plastics Pact.

The research included FPA member and management stakeholder interviews, surveying FPA members, industry expert interviews, and brand owner/value chain surveys and interviews. The report is publicly available and can be downloaded by clicking here.

For more information on the sustainability benefits of flexible packaging, visit www.flexpack.org.