How many packages did you open or interact with this year? The number was probably countless, from the beverage you purchased, to the prescription from the pharmacy, to the pouch of food from the grocery store, to the box that showed up at your doorstep.
Packaging Dive is looking back at some of the broader numbers and interesting data points that stood out in 2023, across policymaking, business deals, sustainability changes, e-commerce innovations and more.
What themes do you think will define 2024? Let us know at [email protected].
Policymaking
Genevieve Isabelle via Getty Images
By the numbers
Zero
The number of new EPR for packaging laws enacted by U.S. states, after an active 2021 and 2022 that saw Maine, Oregon, Colorado and California adopt laws. Hawai’i, New York and Washington were among the states that considered, but did not advance, EPR bills this year. Maryland and Illinois, however, adopted EPR study bills.
18
The number of major food, beverage and consumer goods companies and retailers comprising the Circular Action Alliance nonprofit producer responsibility organization. This year, CAA was chosen as Colorado’s PRO and selected for Maryland’s EPR advisory council, and is looking to be more involved in additional states.
11
The total number of state polystyrene foam bans at the end of 2023. Delaware, Oregon and Rhode Island were added to the list this year. Members of Congress have also introduced a bill seeking foam bans at the national level.
More than 7,000
The number of comments received on the Federal Trade Commission’s docket, which closed in April, related to its Green Guides review. Government officials and outside groups weighed in on labeling for recycling and compostability, measuring recycled content claims and more.
3/5
The number of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meetings toward a global plastics agreement completed so far. After 175 nations agreed in 2022 to work toward such a framework by 2024, meetings this year were held in Paris and most recently in Nairobi. INC-4 is slated for April 2024 in Ottawa, Canada.
M&A
Permission granted by WestRock
By the numbers
130+
The number of companies with business in the U.S. that Packaging Dive tracked this year for making acquisitions or notable investments.
42
The number of countries, across five continents, in which a combined Smurfit WestRock could operate if a pending transaction is completed next year. The surprise announcement was 2023’s biggest packaging M&A news.
$2.6 billion
Estimated value of Veritiv’s sale to an affiliate of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice — one of the sector’s largest private equity deals in 2023.
Economic environment
By the numbers
13
The streak of consecutive months of contracting economic activity in the manufacturing sector, as of November, according to the Institute for Supply Chain Management. Throughout 2023, packaging manufacturers pointed to macroeconomic weakness amid flagging growth.
At least 9,000
The number of packaging-related jobs affected by manufacturing closures and layoffs this year, according to Packaging Dive’s tracking of state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notices, company disclosures and local news reports.
E-commerce
Courtesy of Walmart
By the numbers
65 million
The number of plastic mailers that Walmart expects to eliminate through the end of its fiscal year by replacing nearly all with paper mailers, which it announced in June. That equates to more than 2,000 tons of plastic.
1 billion
The number of EarthKraft recyclable paper padded mailers that Georgia-Pacific made for e-commerce customers from the product's introduction in 2020 through June 2023. This year, GP expanded the line by adding an unpadded paper mailer.
11%
Amount of Amazon global shipments last year that shipped in product packaging, with no secondary packaging.
Sustainability
shaunl via Getty Images
By the numbers
1.2%
The average percentage of reusable plastic packaging going into 2023 among Ellen MacArthur Foundation signatories – brands and retailers that pledged to make all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. An EMF study said switching from single-use to returnable rigid packaging for beverages, personal care products, fresh food and food cupboard items could reduce waste generation by 90%.
40%
The amount of recycled fiber in Nissin Foods USA's new single-serve paper Cup Noodles container. The company switched substrates for the first time in the product's 50-year history, eliminating polystyrene foam.
11.6%
The decrease in single-use plastic across Amazon's global operations in 2022, according to its sustainability report released in 2023.
80%
The worldwide recycling rate target for aluminum beverage cans by 2030 shared at COP28, endorsed by Ball, Crown, the Can Manufacturers Institute and others. According to data shared by Ball and Eunomia, the U.S. recycled 45.2% of aluminum cans in 2021.
