René Muschter
Research Expert covering Industry & Mobility
Global sustainable packaging industry - statistics & facts
With packaging materials consumed in large quantities worldwide, using materials with more sustainable traits, such as being biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable, is increasingly important to mitigate mounting waste management issues. The sustainable packaging market, valued at over 310 billion dollars in 2025, has grown over recent years and is forecast to increase further, surpassing 590 billion U.S. dollars by 2035. Growth in the global sustainable packaging sector, driven by consumer preferences for reducing environmental impact, is fueling change in the broader packaging market, worth roughly 1.28 trillion U.S. dollars in 2025.
From bioplastics to recycled glass: a widening materials mix
Materials used in the sustainable packaging subsector include bio-based plastics, paper and organic materials, glass, and metal, among many others. The global bioplastic production capacity for packaging stood at nearly 2.3 million metric tons in 2025, with further growth expected through 2030. Packaging accounts for roughly 35 percent of global plastic consumption, making it the largest single application and a key target for sustainability efforts. Beyond plastics, the recycled glass market was valued at over 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, while the organic substrate packaging market reached nearly 16.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2025. The sustainable plastic packaging segment alone topped 124 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.
Big brands raising the bar on recyclability
Major companies in the packaging sector are already adapting to growing consumer preferences for sustainable packaging through the uptake of new materials in their manufacturing process. Nestlé, for example, reported that 61 percent of their plastic packaging based on weight was reusable, recyclable, or compostable in 2024, while Danone achieved 76 percent that same year. When it comes to consumer packaging priorities, food safety ranked highest globally, though over half of respondents also flagged shelf life as extremely or very important.
Regional perceptions on what counts as "green"
Consumer perceptions of sustainable packaging in Europe and the U.S. ranked glass bottles and jars the highest when asked to indicate the most environmentally sustainable packaging types. There were variations regionally, with glass bottle and jar options leading the way among 55 percent of U.S. respondents, whilst respondents from Europe showed a 60 percent agreement towards the view. As regulations tighten and material innovation accelerates, the gap between conventional and sustainable packaging is likely to keep narrowing, pushing the industry closer to a circular model.
