USPP Sustainable Packaging Innovation Awards

Packaging Innovation Award Categories

1. RESPONSIBLY SOURCED & CIRCULAR MATERIALS

   • Postconsumer Recycled Content (PCR) – innovative packaging solutions that either contain increased amounts of postconsumer recycled (PCR) content or are new applications of PCR material; where recycled material is consistent with definitions of ISO 14021:2016.
   • Responsibly Sourced Biobased Content – Plant-based packaging innovations that utilize renewable, responsibly sourced biomass inputs to actively displace virgin fossil fuels. Eligible solutions must demonstrate a verifiable reduction in petroleum-derived content through standardized testing (e.g., ASTM D6866) and clearly align with circular end-of-life pathways. 
2. RECYCLABILITY
   • Meets design for recyclability in U.S. systems (i.e., meets the Association of Plastic Recyclers Preferred Design Guidelines, How2Recycle Guidelines, contains no problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging), supports the transition from non-recyclable to recyclable.
3. REUSE OR REFILL
   • Reuse – where packaging is returned and reused for the same purpose it was originally sold, consistent with the definitions of ISO 18603:2013.
   • Refill – where a package is refilled to dispense the originally intended product application, consistent with the definitions of ISO 18603:2013. This may be a branded product instead of a packaging solution and the product refill could be a concentrate or the original formulation of the product.
4. SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION (NEW)
5. • Solutions that advance sustainable packaging outcomes through infrastructure, processes, or enabling technologies rather than a packaging product itself; the innovation must be primarily non-physical (e.g., software, logistics, data, or process-based) rather than a packaging format or material; may include sorting and processing technologies, digital traceability or transparency systems, reuse or refill infrastructure, collection and logistics platforms, or other scalable innovations that remove systemic barriers to recyclability, reuse, or PCR adoption in U.S. markets. Excludes packaging products or formats eligible under Categories 1–3.

Elegibility & Award Benefits

Eligibility

• Open to businesses of all sizes
• Open to primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions of all substrates
• Must service the U.S. market

Winners Will Receive:

• Opportunity to showcase your innovation at U.S. Plastics Pact in-person Activator meeting, including travel stipend to attend
• Feature in Circular Solution Snapshot database for U.S. Pact Activators
• Promotion through U.S. Plastics Pact channels, including highlights at sustainability conferences
• Chance to be featured on Cory Connors’ Sustainable Packaging Podcast

 

Apply Now!