The world of packaging regulations is shifting rapidly, and companies are racing to keep up. In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the C.A.P. Pack sits down with Crystal Bayliss, Director of Strategy and Engagement at the U.S. Plastics Pact, to talk about regulatory changes, voluntary sustainability commitments, and how companies can stay ahead of new packaging rules.
Sneak Peek for Season 2, Episode 5
Catch the full episode of Crazy About Packaging on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or right here on our website. Can’t wait? Here’s a preview of some of the key highlights from our chat.
Introducing Our Guest Host: Crystal Bayliss
Crystal Bayliss, Director of Strategy and Engagement at the U.S. Plastics Pact, started her career in procurement before finding her true passion in sustainability. While working for a consumer packaged goods company, she became increasingly aware of how much plastic waste was going to landfills.
Her career pivot took place when she was asked to join a call with the U.S. Plastics Pact. Shortly after, she decided to take on a more active role in sustainability, eventually joining the U.S. Plastics Pact as Director of Strategy and Engagement.
Crystal now works with brand owners, manufacturers, and supply chain partners to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges around sustainability and regulatory compliance. Her first-hand experience in procurement gives her a unique perspective on the realities of supply chain complexity and design constraints.
Can I Recycle That?
It wouldn’t be an episode of Crazy About Packaging without our favorite segment — Can I Recycle That?
This week’s mystery item: a big coffee container with a shrink sleeve label. Here’s how the guessing game played out:
- Jonathan's guess: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) with a removable shrink sleeve.
- Mike's guess: Same as Jonathan — HDPE with a shrink sleeve, which wouldn't impede recyclability.
- Crystal's insight: Crystal agreed but added a valuable point. The material of the shrink sleeve label matters. Some shrink sleeves are designed to be compatible with recycling streams, while others are not.
The Verdict? Everyone was spot on! The container is made of HDPE — one of the most widely recyclable plastics. Even better, the container includes a How2Recycle label, which gives clear instructions to “discard the seal, empty the container, and replace the lid” before recycling.
But here’s where it gets interesting — the label didn’t instruct users to remove the shrink sleeve. This was a surprise, as shrink sleeves are typically seen as an obstacle to recycling. However, new advances in label materials are being designed to be fully recyclable. As Crystal pointed out, “If the label is compliant, it won’t impact recyclability.”
The Growing Role of Packaging Regulations
Packaging regulations are getting stricter, and Crystal highlighted the ones that companies should be paying attention to right now.
The biggest regulatory shift in the U.S. comes from California's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law. California’s EPR program places more responsibility on brand owners to manage the entire lifecycle of their packaging — from design to disposal. Companies that fail to meet certain recycling rates by 2027 could face severe consequences, including being banned from selling their products in California.
And since California is one of the largest economies in the U.S., many companies are simply adopting California’s packaging regulations nationwide. “It’s too difficult for large companies to design one package for California and another for the rest of the U.S.,” Crystal explains. “They’re just applying California’s rules everywhere.”
Here are the key packaging regulations Crystal mentioned:
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws in 5 U.S. states (including California).
- Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content requirements — certain states are requiring a percentage of PCR in packaging.
- Deposit Return Systems (DRS), where consumers get a refund for returning packaging like beverage containers.
What About the Global Plastics Treaty?
The Global Plastics Treaty aims to create a unified global approach to reducing plastic waste. While it’s still under negotiation, Crystal shared her perspective on how it might impact local regulations.
The problem? Countries have very different infrastructure and waste systems. As Crystal put it, “Nebraska is not the same as London, and London is not the same as Dubai.”
Instead of imposing one-size-fits-all requirements, the Global Plastics Treaty is likely to establish high-level goals that each country will achieve in their own way. Crystal believes the treaty is important for creating a harmonized approach, but it won’t eliminate local rules like California’s.
Voluntary Commitments: Why Companies Are Taking Action Before Laws Require It
Beyond regulatory mandates, many companies are making voluntary commitments to reduce plastic waste. But why?
Crystal explains that these commitments signal to the marketplace that brands are taking sustainability seriously. They also support the development of new infrastructure and help accelerate innovation.
Take Kraft Heinz, for example. Instead of making ad-hoc purchases of recycled content, Kraft Heinz has committed to long-term relationships with suppliers and R&D teams to secure a stable supply of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. This strategic approach builds capacity in the supply chain and ensures there is enough PCR available for their needs.
Collaboration is the Key to Real Change
One of the most inspiring takeaways from this episode is the power of collaboration. Solving packaging waste isn’t a one-company job. It takes everyone — brand owners, converters, material suppliers, and recyclers — working together.
Here are two collaboration success stories Crystal highlighted:
- Walmart x D6 Community Recycling Units: Walmart partnered with the recycler D6 to place community recycling units in Walmart parking lots. This approach helps consumers recycle items not typically accepted curbside, like film and flexible packaging.
- Kraft Heinz's PCR Initiative: By working directly with suppliers and supply chain partners, Kraft Heinz secured a steady supply of high-quality recycled content for its bottles. This collaboration ensures that high-quality PCR is available for future products.
Want to Learn More About the U.S. Plastics Pact?
If you want to dive deeper into the work being done by the U.S. Plastics Pact and its role in shaping packaging regulations, visit their website. You can also connect with Crystal Bayliss on LinkedIn.
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