Sustainability continues to rank as one of the label and package printing industry’s most pivotal trends. From brand owners to manufacturers, the entire supply chain is seeking more environmentally friendly solutions. With consumers demanding sustainability and easier recyclability from their products, the time is now for our industry to continue make substantial progress.

Thankfully, the industry has taken the reins in addressing this issue. From leading associations, such as TLMI, to advisory groups, like Green Group Consulting, countless individuals and organizations are taking a leadership position in sustainability.

There are numerous obstacles still present, but the label and package printing industry has made considerable strides.

“While there is still work to do, particularly in addressing supply chain waste streams like release liners and matrix waste, the advancements to date have been nothing short of transformative,” says John Caturano, managing director, Green Group Consulting. “Organizations, including APR (Association of Plastic Recyclers), TLMI, SPC (Sustainable Packaging Coalition), and others, have played pivotal roles in driving this progress and aligning the industry toward solutions that improve overall packaging circularity. In addition, PFE (Plastics Forming Enterprises) continues to provide the rigorous testing, consulting, and standards-based validation that gives companies confidence in their recyclability assessments.”

The progress has been tangible. Many leading players now offer improved solutions, floatable substrates, perforated sleeves, APR recognized materials, and better-delaminating systems.

“The industry has clearly shifted its focus and is responding to the need for packaging that looks great but also performs well in recycling systems,” remarks Caturano. “Still, we have room for growth.”

Collaboration will be critical in this growth phase, especially with evolving regulations and differing processes from city to city and state to state. Green Group Consulting has emphasized the importance of compliance with state regulations. Since EPR is developing on a state by state basis, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Challenges pave the way for opportunities, too.

“I see tremendous opportunity ahead,” explains Caturano. “Over the past several years, the label industry has made exceptional progress that truly deserves recognition. Major brands have worked closely with label manufacturers and converters to develop and deploy technologies that ensure packaging designed for recyclability is matched with label substrates that support, rather than compromise, that goal. Significant strides have been made to move away from problematic materials, such as PETG, PVC, and dark or non-readable labels, issues that historically created major challenges for reclaimers and MRFs (materials recovery facility).”

In addition, Caturano cites inks as another opportunity for sustainable growth, especially around effective removal and devolatilization. With the goal of recycling the label along with the bottle, continued innovation in ink design and behavior can become a key unlock, which is why this area deserves focused attention. There are several areas of concern moving forward, though.

“Full sleeve labels with high coverage remain one of the biggest challenges,” adds Caturano. “While the aesthetics of packaging will always matter, these full coverage designs can interfere with sorting, especially on PET bottles. When readers and optical sorters misidentify a clear PET bottle as green or colored because of a full sleeve, we lose valuable material that should be directed into the clear rPET stream. That has real consequences, because clear PET is essential for producing high-quality rPET for food grade applications.”

Legislation considerations

Legislation and regulations will play a large role in the future of labels and packaging. Sustainability is shifting from largely voluntary initiatives to a more regulatory and compliance driven environment. Meanwhile, converters continue to see the value in becoming more sustainable – regardless of legislation.

There are, however, several legislative measures to follow – including California’s SB 343 and SB 54.

“SB 343 is less about technical design and more about the claims made on packaging and labels,” explains Caturano. “For many label suppliers, this means a significant volume of work to update artwork, claims, and symbols to ensure all elements meet the now statutory criteria for recyclability claims in California. Several other states are considering or advancing similar legislation, so this is no longer a California only consideration, label laws tied to packaging claims are becoming a broader national trend.”

“When it comes to SB 54, California’s EPR law, label manufacturers will need to pay close attention to the specific material thresholds and component requirements outlined in the legislation,” continues Caturano. “Brands will increasingly expect their suppliers to provide clarity on material composition, compatibility with recycling systems, and any factors that may affect a package’s recyclability designation. Label suppliers should anticipate more customer questions, specification reviews, and requests for documentation.”

Green Group Consulting has collaborated with industry members on dealing with legislative ramifications. The consulting group understands the parameters, definitions, and technical criteria within these laws at a deep level and is available to guide manufacturers through compliance requirements.

Differences between the US and Europe

According Green Group Consulting, recycling in Europe outperforms the US because it is built on unified, binding policies and longstanding EPR and deposit return systems. These systems drive consistency and high recovery, while the US relies on a fragmented patchwork of local programs with uneven standards and lower recycling rates.

“Europe also benefits from a far more mature recycling infrastructure and far less available landfill space, which pushes materials into recovery rather than disposal conditions that directly strengthen system performance,” remarks Caturano. “The US can learn from Europe’s coordinated approach by harmonizing policy, scaling EPR and DRS, and aligning packaging design with actual recycling capabilities.”

Working with TLMI

During the TLMI Converter Leadership Meeting, taking place April 12-14, 2026 in Clearwater Beach, FL, USA, Green Group Consulting will discuss many of the issues currently facing label converters. The two-and-a-half-day event allows attendees to learn, collaborate, and network.

“I’ll be on-site for a few days, and while I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak publicly during one segment, my real hope is that people feel encouraged to engage, ask questions, and collaborate,” states Caturano. “I genuinely enjoy talking about packaging and working creatively with teams to solve challenges, identify solutions, and close gaps. None of us has every answer, but we’re committed to helping find them.

Caturano will explore numerous topics, including EPR and the broader wave of emerging packaging policies that will continue to expand. These requirements remain new for all members across the value chain.

“Converters, particularly those active in TLMI, are asking thoughtful questions about the growing importance of sustainability and how new policies will shape their obligations going forward,” adds Caturano. “The label industry is highly engaged, staying close to the work through APR meetings and relying on TLMI, which does an excellent job keeping its members informed and connected to emerging requirements.”