FlexForum 2026: Key Policy Shifts in Flexible Packaging

Join FlexForum to explore EPR, PCR, and labeling trends shaping flexible packaging design and recyclability.

The regulatory environment for flexible packaging is shifting from voluntary goals to enforceable legal mandates. As governments across the United States advance circularity policies, they are also aligning packaging design with real-world recycling systems. As a result, manufacturers must adapt their material selection, structural design, and reporting practices to meet evolving compliance requirements.

You can also read: How Recyclability is Redefining Packaging Form and Function.

Mandatory Recycled Content and Food Safety

U.S. regulations are increasingly driving the adoption of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in plastic packaging, particularly through state-level mandates and corporate commitments. These requirements aim to stimulate demand for secondary materials while strengthening domestic recycling markets.

However, increasing PCR content introduces both technical and regulatory challenges, especially in food-contact applications. In the United States, substances that may migrate from packaging into food must comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements, including GRAS determinations or Food Contact Notifications.

As a result, not all recycled streams are suitable for high-value applications. Mechanical recycling remains the primary pathway, but its output depends heavily on feedstock quality and contamination control. Meanwhile, advanced recycling technologies may complement these systems, although questions remain regarding scalability, cost, and environmental performance.

The Rise of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Across the United States, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are expanding at the state level. These policies shift the financial burden of waste management to producers while introducing fee structures that penalize difficult-to-recycle packaging.

Consequently, flexible packaging producers face strong economic incentives to simplify material structures, eliminate incompatible components, and adopt mono-material PE and PP films. At the same time, EPR programs are expected to fund infrastructure improvements, particularly for processing flexible plastic waste streams.

Standardizing “Recyclable” Claims

Regulators are also tightening controls on environmental marketing claims, as concerns grow over misleading recyclability statements. For example, California’s SB 343 restricts the use of the “recyclable” label unless packaging meets specific criteria for collection and processing at scale.

This shift redefines recyclability as a system-level outcome rather than a material property. As a result, many multi-layer flexible formats risk losing their recyclable designation unless redesigned for compatibility with existing systems.

Join the Conversation at FlexForum

To navigate these complexities, industry leaders Dan Felton, Hodayah Finman, and Patrick Krieger will host a session at FlexForum. Taking place from May 4–6 in Fort Myers, this session explores EPR, recycled content, and microplastics, while also examining the evolving future of GRAS and new labeling requirements. These experts will provide practical insights to help businesses stay ahead of shifting regulations and compliance demands. Industry stakeholders are encouraged to attend and gain a clearer understanding of the policy forces shaping the future of flexible packaging.

Register here to secure your place at FlexForum.