Columbus, OH (Nov. 14, 2025) On November 12, the U.S. Plastics Pact (USPP) announced the 2025 Sustainable Packaging Innovation Award winners at the USPP Activator Action Summit.
“Recycling, reuse/refill, and compostable innovations that align with established design guidelines play a vital role in addressing packaging formats that still lack proven circular options,” said Crystal Bayliss, USPP Director of Strategy and Engagement. “The 2025 winners bring forward meaningful solutions for some of the industry’s toughest packaging challenges. These innovations not only meet design criteria but were created with both customer and consumer experience at their core. With our Activators, the U.S. Plastics Pact is charting a national path to end plastic pollution across the packaging value chain. We are excited to recognize another group of scalable solutions that support our Roadmap milestones.”
Award Winners:
- Recyclability: Brook + Whittle — GreenLabel® BlockOut Shrink Sleeves is a patented, light-blocking crystallizable PET (cPET) sleeve that lets brands switch from colored PET to clear, widely recyclable bottles without compromising product protection or shelf impact. Blocking up to 99% of light and fully detectable in recycling streams, it reduces material use, simplifies SKUs, lowers EPR fees, and enables brands to offer premium, sustainable packaging for nutraceuticals, beverages, and personal care products.
- Postconsumer Recycled Content (PCR): PureCycle & Churchill Container — Run It Back™ Products featuring PureFive™ Resin line delivers fully circular, collectible reusable concession cups made from 100% post-consumer recycled polypropylene. Launched in February 2025, these high-quality, food-safe cups meet APR Preferred guidance and showcase how recycled materials can be upcycled into durable, visually appealing, and sustainable packaging for sports venues.
- Reuse or Refill: CLUBZERØ’s AI-powered Reuse System helps food and beverage brands replace single-use packaging with durable, beautifully designed reusable containers made from mono-material, toxin-free polypropylene engineered for 250+ cycles. The patented, GS1-enabled platform provides real-time tracking, automated deposit management, and compliance-ready data—delivering up to 98% return rates, major EPR cost avoidance, and as much as 85% annual savings, while giving consumers a premium, temperature-retaining, museum-recognized packaging experience with minimal behavior change.
- Compostability: Sabert — Pulp Ultra® is a next-generation molded fiber packaging solution designed for high-performance food service applications, offering exceptional resistance to oil, grease, and moisture while enabling extended storage. Certified recyclable, BPI-compostable, and GreenScreen™-verified for safer chemicals, Pulp Ultra® combines advanced material science with sustainability, delivering a reliable, eco-conscious alternative to conventional packaging.
Winners were chosen by a robust judging panel that included retailers, manufacturers, and not-for-profit organizations. The submissions were evaluated based on their compliance to USPP and APR design guidelines, circularity, carbon impact, manufacturability, and impact to the consumer experience.
Winners will receive:
- Participation in innovation panel and showcase at U.S. Plastics Pact in-person Activator meeting, including travel stipend to attend
- Feature in Circular Solution Snapshot database for USPP Activators
- Promotion through U.S. Plastics Pact channels, including highlights at sustainability conferences
- Chance to be featured on Cory Connors’ Sustainable Packaging Podcast