What’s next for sustainable packaging in 2026
Sustainable packaging - reflecting on 2025
This year has been a pivotal one for packaging sustainability.
Across our client work, we’ve seen a growing focus on compliance, data integrity, and system readiness. Many brands engaged us to develop tailored compliance guides, conduct packaging audits, map material hotspots, and deliver team training. Their aim? Building capability and confidence amidst regulatory reforms.
These are the highlights and shifts of 2025 that defined the year:
Regulatory uncertainty stayed front and centre. Australia’s National Packaging Targets were not met. Reform and stronger regulation are now on the horizon. If you're a brand owner, assess your liability here and reach out if you need support.
The rise of 'paperisation'. Fibre-based formats continued to gain momentum as brands moved away from complex plastics, a trend echoed in the 2025 Sustainable Packaging Trends Report by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
Scope 3 emissions entered the spotlight. As large organisations prepare for Mandatory Climate-related Disclosures (AU), understanding your packaging’s full emissions impact has become a business priority.
Claims and labelling awareness increase. The demand for credible, evidence-based on-pack claims grew. Greenwashing gave way to verification, data, and transparency.
Sustainable packaging trends - 2026 predictions
Regulatory reform moves from talk to action with EPR frameworks and mandatory reporting accelerating globally, 2026 will be the year brands act, not anticipate. Brands investing early in packaging data systems and governance will be ready to respond with confidence.
Resource stretch under growing reporting demands. As compliance pressures rise, brands will seek efficiencies, partnering with digital platforms or external experts to streamline data collection and free up time for innovation. (Pst... we can help with this!)
Paperisation faces reality checks. Fibre formats will continue to expand but will require robust testing to ensure functionality and recyclability at scale.
Data becomes directional. Packaging data collection is only as powerful as its accuracy and use. In 2026, leaders will move from reporting for compliance to using insights to prioritise packaging improvements, optimising materials, reducing emissions and driving measurable impact.
Claim scrutiny intensifies. From recyclability to carbon-neutral claims, substantiation will be critical. Expect greater awareness from regulators and retailers alike. We work with our clients to align with ISO 14021, ACCC Standards and independent verification.
Circular design - what this means for FMCG brands?
Packaging decisions will demand more data, collaboration, and verification. Brands that embed circular design and evidence-based claims into their packaging systems will future-proof both impact and regulatory compliance.
To help, we’ve just released our free resource: Future-Proof Brand Packaging: 5 Essential Steps for Sustainable Brands, available now on our website.
Sustainable brand packaging - what this means for packaging design agencies?
Design will need to go beyond aesthetics. Agencies that integrate compliance, recovery, and circular systems thinking into creative workflows will become indispensable partners to brands navigating regulatory change.
Start with our free guide: 5 Essential Steps for Packaging Design Agencies to embed sustainability into every brief.
Sustainable packaging is changing
As we head into 2026, the pace of change is accelerating. Design and strategy must work hand in hand to deliver packaging that’s compliant, circular, and commercially effective.
Whether you’re a brand shaping your next packaging strategy or an agency supporting clients through the change, we’d love to explore how we can help you lead with clarity and confidence.
If you’d like to discuss your packaging strategy or upcoming APCO obligations for 2026, we’d love to connect!