The New Packaging War: Paper, Plants, and Proof

Amcor and Huhtamaki push recyclable and compostable designs as new laws reshape food packaging

16 Oct 2025

The race toward sustainable food packaging is speeding up as big brands, regulators, and recyclers align to rethink how America wraps its meals. What was once a niche effort has become a full-fledged redesign of the food industry’s supply chain.

In 2025, packaging heavyweight Amcor teamed up with snack maker MadeGood to roll out paper-based bar wrappers that can go straight into curbside recycling. The move reflects a broader shift away from mixed plastics and toward single-material or paper options that satisfy new state environmental laws.

Huhtamaki is making its own push with compostable molded-fiber cups and lids, now being tested at select Starbucks locations. Early feedback from these pilots will shape how quickly compostable packaging can scale to everyday use.

“Sustainability projects are no longer side experiments,” said Laura Thompson, senior advisor at the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. “They’re part of core business planning now.”

New Extended Producer Responsibility laws in Oregon and Colorado are helping drive that shift. These rules require companies to help pay for the collection and recycling of their packaging, putting financial muscle behind environmental promises. At the same time, tighter PFAS restrictions are steering innovation toward safer barrier coatings that keep food fresh without polluting water systems.

Challenges remain. Composting standards vary widely by state, and sustainable materials still cost more to produce. But collaboration is growing among recyclers, certifiers, and brands to make labeling clearer and recycling more consistent.

Industry consolidation is also shaping the field. Amcor’s plan to acquire Berry Global’s flexible packaging division signals a new era of scale, integration, and investment in greener technologies.

With global food giants pledging to phase out non-recyclable packaging by the end of the decade, this year could mark the turning point when sustainability stops being a talking point and becomes the industry norm.