Packaging EPR’s 2026 Reality Check

We recently sat down with Lowell Huffman, Director, Channel Partnerships, at rePurpose Global, to discuss ways that rePurpose is helping brands with food and beverage packaging in the context of EPR.

Hardly a week goes by without Packaging Strategies reporting on a merger or acquisition in the sector. However, when we want to put packaging M&A into perspective and get a bird’s-eye view and understand some of the subtle nuances, we often turn to John Hart, Managing Director of PMCF Investment Banking. He recently sat down with us to discuss packaging M&A so far in 2026.

Cereal is a popular food in the United States, with 50 million boxes sold each week. Many consumers, however, are unaware of its nutritional benefits like fiber, protein, and essential vitamins. To highlight these advantages, WK Kellogg Co. has redesigned its packaging. We spoke with Doug VanDeVelde, Chief Growth Officer at WK Kellogg Co., about the new SPOONS on-pack nutrition framework.

Sahar Mehrabzadeh and Sara Lowe of Bay Cities share how the company is helping retailers and brands achieve compliance with California’s SB 54 and other state-level Extended Producer Responsibility programs.

North American resin costs have soared to historic highs, with no clear end in sight. Ric Lee of Atlantic Packaging suggests that the fix to the plastic price crisis starts on the pallet.

Arithmetic is simple. Compliance is not. We recently sat down with Anna Kendall of Ernst & Young LLP to discuss the challenges of meeting both imminent and long-term EPR mandates, including a coordinated May 31 reporting deadline across six states.

In this interview, Dan Gladden of Interact Brands shares a textbook case of successfully shepherding a direct-to-consumer brand onto retail shelves.

In this interview, WPO President Luciana Pellegrino shares some of the initiatives that the organization will be undertaking in 2026.

In this interview, Sam Walker, Head of Sales & Business Development for Xampla, explains how food delivery tested the mettle of its PFAS- and plastic-free Morro Coatings.

We recently spoke to Jim Garvey, Vice President of Coatings at INX International (left), and David Zamarin, CEO of DetraPel (right), to discuss how the latest coating technologies improve packaging functionality while simultaneously addressing sustainability. Sponsored by INX International