On March 10, 2026, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) published a new report urging faster innovation in paper-based alternatives to small-format flexible plastic packaging. Flexible plastic packaging (i.e., wrappers and sachets) is one of the hardest packaging types to address sustainably (FPF reported), but the report also cautions that poorly designed substitutes could create new environmental and social challenges (FPF reported).
According to EMF, flexible plastics account for around 80% of plastic packaging entering oceans (FPF reported) and have among the lowest recycling rates globally, particularly in regions with limited waste management infrastructure (FPF reported).
The report highlights that paper-based flexible packaging could help reduce pollution, as it may be easier to design for recyclability and biodegradability. However, EMF stresses that material substitution alone is not sufficient. Reducing reliance on small-format packaging, scaling reuse systems, and investing in inclusive collection and recycling infrastructure are also essential (FPF reported).
To ensure paper-based alternatives do not become regrettable substitutes, the report outlines six criteria for responsible design, including sustainable fiber sourcing, responsible production, compatibility with local recycling systems, avoidance of hazardous chemicals, and alignment with a circular economy. Specifically related to chemicals, the report explains that packaging should be designed “with chemical safety at the front of mind” along with “consideration of widely recognised restricted lists of chemicals.”
The report concludes that no current packaging solution meets all six criteria at scale. This calls for urgent innovation, investment, and collaboration to develop viable alternatives while strengthening recycling systems and sustainable fiber supply chains.
Reference
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (March 2026). “Paper-based flexible plastic packaging: The role it could play in tackling small-format flexible plastic pollution in markets with high leakage rates.”
