Your bi-weekly briefing on sustainable packaging headlines. This episode: Congress introduces the PACK Act to create federal labeling framework, California's compostable packaging policy contradiction, EU's PPWR initial enforcement begins in 7 months, US Plastics Pact reality check on industry progress, and Dubai completes phased single-use plastic ban.

This episode's stories:

PACK Act: Federal framework would preempt non-identical state labeling requirements

California challenge: Two policies create difficult compliance scenario for compostable packaging

EU PPWR: Initial enforcement begins August 2026

US Plastics Pact: Progress report shows forward movement, tight timeline to 2030 goals

Dubai Ban: Four-phase single-use plastic ban fully implemented

Links & Sources:

PACK Act introduced - Packaging Digest - https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainability/legislation-reshapes-packaging-sustainability-claims

California compostable policy challenge - Packaging Dive - https://www.packagingdive.com/news/compostable-packaging-organics-revolution-foods/807789/

EU PPWR enforcement timeline - European Commission - https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste/packaging-packaging-waste-regulation_en

US Plastics Pact 2024-25 report - Packaging Dive - https://www.packagingdive.com/news/us-plastics-pact-2024-2025-progress-report/809387/

Dubai plastic ban completion - Dubai Municipality - https://www.dm.gov.ae/2025/12/24/dubai-to-enforce-final-phase-of-single-use-plastic-ban-from-2026/

Resources:

Book: SustainablePackagingBook.com

Platform: PackagedSustainable.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelmarkarian/

About the Show:

The Sustainable Packaging Show delivers bi-weekly briefings on what's real, what's hype, and what you need to know. Hosted by Michael Markarian, author of Sustainable Packaging Revolution.