5 Must-Know Sustainable Packaging Regulations

Most brands and producers are moving toward sustainable packaging, motivated by their values, economic goals, and changing consumer expectations. If your business shares this focus, or you want to understand more about sustainability and packaging regulations, this guide is for you.

With more than 70% of consumers now actively choosing products and packaging that reduce their environmental footprint, it has become imperative for brands and producers to take sustainable packaging seriously. Beyond consumer demand, new regulations encourage a shift to a circular economy, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products to maximize their lifespan.

Let’s discuss five of these sustainable packaging regulations in the US and how you can effectively respond to these changes.

1. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Laws

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) puts the responsibility for managing packaging waste on the producers instead of consumers or governments. It requires manufacturers to support recycling programs and make sure packaging is handled sustainably.

States throughout the U.S. adopt EPR laws, including the ones listed below, with the common goal of transforming waste reduction and recycling effectiveness:

Oregon (SB 582). Effective July 1, 2025, the law introduces an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, requiring producers of packaging, paper products, and food serviceware to fund and manage the recycling of their products.

Maine (LD 1541). Mandates that producers pay fees based on the type and amount of packaging they sell in the state, with the collected funds reimbursing municipalities for recycling costs. The program is scheduled to begin in 2026, following the establishment of a stewardship organization to manage its operations.

Colorado (HB22-1355). Establishes a statewide EPR program requiring producers of packaging and paper products to fund and manage recycling services. It also promotes more sustainable waste management by holding producers accountable for the full lifecycle of their materials.

What You Can Do to Comply:

Review your packaging’s full lifecycle to identify ways to reduce waste. EPR laws require businesses to cover recycling costs. Thus, making smart material choices early can significantly reduce long-term expenses. Working with local recycling programs can also help make sure your products get recycled properly and that you stay in line with the rules.

2. Single-Use Plastics Bans and Restrictions

Single-use plastics, from bags to straws and cutlery, are being phased out throughout the U.S. in response to growing environmental concerns. Since these plastics often end up in landfills or the ocean, states are encouraging sustainable alternatives like corrugated packaging.

Custom Corrugated Packaging by York Container

As laws tighten, companies are expected to rethink their packaging choices and adopt more sustainable solutions.

• California Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54). Phases out single-use plastics by 2032 and pushes companies to shift toward recyclable and compostable materials.
• New York Plastic Bag Ban. Limits the use of plastic carryout bags statewide and promotes paper or reusable options instead.

What You Can Do to Comply:

Invest in compostable and reusable packaging, such as paper or other approved materials. You can also explore new materials like corrugated board, which is not only sustainable but can also be easily designed to fit the products you need to package or store.

3. Recyclability and Compostability Standards

There’s a growing push to make packaging part of a circular system, one where materials can be reused, recycled, or composted instead of thrown away. New laws are setting stricter rules for how packaging should be designed, labeled, and disposed of at the end of its life.

To be considered recyclable, your packaging has to meet a few important requirements:

• It can be collected and processed by local recycling programs.
• It’s made from materials that can be turned into new products.
• It’s properly labeled so consumers know how to recycle it.

Compliant packaging follows recyclability or compostability standards and doesn’t include any misleading sustainability claims. Let’s take a look at some key guidelines and laws that define the standards for these requirements:

• The U.S. Plastics Pact. Sets a goal for all plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030.
• FTC Green Guides. Regulates how companies can market environmental claims, including what counts as “recyclable” or “compostable.”
• California’s SB 343. Bans false or unclear recycling labels and requires accurate labeling based on real recycling infrastructure.

What You Can Do to Comply:

To meet these standards, you should use certified recyclable or compostable materials like glass bottles and jars without plastic components, aluminum containers, and certain paper products that are commonly accepted in curbside recycling programs. You’ll also want to make sure your packaging can be recycled or composted in the states where you sell your products.

4. Chemical and Toxicity Restrictions in Packaging

Toxic chemicals in packaging can harm people and the environment. That’s why packaging rules are tightening around harmful substances like BPA and phthalates, especially in food and consumer packaging. These regulations help keep dangerous materials out of the supply chain and protect producer and consumer health.

You need to take extra steps to guarantee your packaging materials meet safety standards and don’t contain any restricted chemicals.

• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Regulates the use of harmful chemicals in packaging and other materials sold in the U.S.
• State-Level PFAS Bans. Multiple states have banned per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are linked to health risks and commonly found in grease-resistant packaging.
• FDA Packaging Safety Regulations. Set strict limits on what chemicals can be used in packaging that comes into contact with food.

What You Can Do to Comply:

Test your materials for restricted substances and switch to non-toxic, biodegradable alternatives whenever you can.

5. Carbon Footprint and Eco-Labeling Requirements

Packaging has a big impact on a product’s carbon footprint, so evolving standards are asking companies to be more open about their environmental effects. Both federal and state programs are starting to require clear and honest reporting on the carbon emissions tied to packaging.

• California SB 343. Requires truthful labeling of environmental claims, including accurate disclosures about a product’s carbon impact.
• Federal Green Purchasing Programs. Promote the use of low-impact, sustainable packaging in government contracts and procurement.
• SEC Climate Disclosure Rule. Requires public companies to report carbon emissions, including those related to packaging.

What You Can Do to Comply:

Choose lightweight, recyclable materials and conduct life cycle assessments (LCAs) to measure emissions throughout your entire packaging process. Transparent reporting of these results supports global benchmarking and strengthens your brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Experience the Advantage of Sustainable Packaging with York Container

Stricter packaging regulations are now a reality for U.S. producers. Companies that take action early will see real advantages, including lower costs, stronger brand reputation, and fewer compliance risks. More than a trend or a way to make a product look premium, sustainable packaging is now a baseline expectation for any business.

York Container is your partner in meeting your sustainability objectives. We offer eco-friendly, regulation-compliant corrugated packaging that we can customize for your requirements. 

“Responsible design is a priority for our creative team. But we often encounter “legacy package designs” that our customers have used for decades. Fortunately, our team specializes in redesigning overly complex packages, delivering better solutions for our customers.”

- York Container

We understand that every company has specific design, functionality, and sustainability targets, and we’re committed to helping you meet them, just as a true partner should. Reach out today and take the next step toward strong, meaningful, and sustainable packaging.