This year’s SPC Advance in Boston (September 29 – October 1, 2025) will bring together leading voices across the packaging value chain to address the industry’s most pressing challenges. From Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to eco-modulation, from consumer confusion around recycled content to the future of compostable and flexible packaging, one message is clear: the packaging industry is on the edge of a new era defined by accountability, transparency, and collaboration.

Below are the key discussion points we expect to take center stage at SPC Advance 2025—and why they matter to every packaging leader.

1. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Is Moving Nationwide

What was once a patchwork of state-led regulations is quickly becoming a nationwide reality. Several SPC Advance sessions will focus on how brands can prepare for coast-to-coast packaging reporting requirements by 2026.

Key themes to watch for include:

• Eco-modulation fees: Oregon and Colorado are setting the pace with measurable incentives for producers who design packaging with lower environmental impacts.

• Fee forecasting with AI: Technology is emerging to help companies model state-by-state obligations and reduce long-term costs through smarter material choices.

• From obligation to optimization: Forward-thinking brands are already embedding EPR strategies into packaging design to balance compliance with sustainability goals.

At Group O, we see this shift as an opportunity. By digitizing packaging specifications and applying our SMART Audit® process, we help companies prepare for evolving regulations while reducing waste and costs.

2. Consumer Confusion Around Recycled Content — and Its Impact on Tertiary Packaging

One of the most anticipated research insights to be shared at SPC Advance is the growing disconnect between consumer perceptions and packaging reality. Nearly half of U.S. consumers believe “recycled content” means a product can be recycled—an assumption that undermines brand investments in recycled materials.

This matters because the credibility of sustainability claims is at stake. The expected solution? Story-driven claims. Many panels will discuss how brands must move away from technical jargon and toward consumer-centric narratives that build trust and increase purchase intent.

At Group O, we help brands apply these insights to the often-overlooked world of tertiary packaging—where recycled content in pallet wrap, strapping, and protective materials not only reduces environmental impact but also supports stronger, more credible claims.

3. The Overlooked Role of Tertiary Packaging in Sustainability

While consumer-facing packaging often gets the spotlight, tertiary packaging has a massive role to play in reducing waste and carbon emissions. At SPC Advance, we expect to see increased emphasis on how pallet wrap, strapping, dunnage, and edge protection directly influence product damage rates, transportation efficiency, and compliance with EPR regulations.

Innovations such as downgauged stretch film, PCR-based materials, and recyclable protective materials are already proving they can deliver measurable sustainability gains while lowering costs across the supply chain.

At Group O, we work with brands to make tertiary packaging an integral part of their sustainability strategies—ensuring efforts extend beyond the shelf to every layer of protection and distribution.

Get more on this topic with this article and video from my presentation at the Packaging Recycling Summit this past Summer. 

4. Small Formats, Films, and Flexible Packaging Need Urgent Solutions

Film, pouches, and small formats continue to slip through recycling systems, contaminating streams and driving material loss. SPC Advance will feature discussions on retail drop-off programs, consumer engagement strategies, and—most importantly—the need for collaboration between packaging companies, MRFs (Materials Recovery Facilities), and retailers.

Group O is already working with clients to integrate post-consumer recycled (PCR) content into flexible formats while preparing for future collection and recycling pathways.

5. Innovation and Data Will Drive the Next Wave of Sustainability

SPC Advance 2025 will showcase how AI, carbon capture partnerships, and new global data hubs are reshaping the packaging industry. Expect conversations on:

• AI-powered EPR forecasting

• The Packaging Data Hub’s efforts to standardize global reporting

• The role of smarter systems in scaling circular solutions

At Group O, we are aligning with this future by offering integrated reporting tools, supply chain analytics, and technology-enabled packaging services to help brands stay ahead of shifting requirements and consumer expectations.

Our Perspective

SPC Advance 2025 will reinforce what many in our industry already recognize: packaging is no longer just about protecting products—it’s about compliance, consumer trust, and climate impact.

We anticipate the most urgent conversations will focus on EPR, eco-modulation, recycled content communication, composting access, and the future of flexible packaging. Each represents both a challenge and an opportunity for brands that are ready to adapt.

At Group O, we believe sustainability isn’t a compliance checkbox—it’s a competitive advantage. As regulations tighten and consumer expectations rise, the companies that simplify complexity, innovate responsibly, and collaborate across the value chain will lead the way.

We look forward to SPC Advance and will be sharing our key takeaways after the event.