North America Single Use Packaging Market Outlook, 2029

A wave of change is sweeping the single-use packaging market in North America, driven by changing consumer preferences and increasing regulatory pressure for more sustainable practices. This can be noticed in the sudden movement of local and international companies toward greater responsibility in plastic use, with production of more biodegradable plastic and designs of packaging based on recycling. In reaction to such consumer demands, certification of big brands and manufacturers will commence by redesigning packaging and new design for more sustainable alternatives.

For instance, researchers are looking into lightweighting techniques that will help reduce material use and hence lower transportation costs, while others are working on models of reusable and refillable packaging in a bid to enable a circular economy principle. The growing interest is directed toward improving packages for technologies like 3D integration and system-in-package, which are more efficient and functional. This allows not just higher packing density but energy efficiency in the packing, hence miniaturization what continues to drive consumer electronics, automotive components, and IoT devices in terms of performance.

These technologies are based on the miniaturization of companies to high-performance packaging solutions for the stringent demands in electronic devices. The regulatory framework supports these market dynamics in North America by policy initiatives to reduce plastic pollution by encouraging recycling. Such initiatives provide for an enabling environment for innovation in packaging materials and technologies to remain compliant with environmental standards on one hand, and product integrity and consumer safety on the other.

According to the report, the North America Single Use Packaging market was valued at more than USD 4 Billion in 2023. The single-use packaging market in North America spans a broad spectrum of industries, from consumer goods and food and beverage to pharmaceuticals and e-commerce. The development of such a packaging solution was made to bring convenience and hygiene into containing products, all the way from snacks and beverages to personal care items and medical supplies. All these factors combined contribute towards a market characterized by a varied array of materials and technologies dedicated to product protection, shelf life extension, and environmental sustainability.

Key industry associations drive improvement and innovation in sustainability for single-use packaging. The SPC allows stakeholders to work together toward the development of guidelines and standards that ensure enhanced recyclability, biodegradability, and reduced environmental impact through the value chain of packaging. Their work provides the impetus for actions at the industry level to further circular economy models and responsible packaging. Single-use packaging drives functionality, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement.

This is including the innovations in bioplastics and compostable materials, smart packaging solutions - embedding sensors in them to track, in real time, if a product is fresh and its integrity is kept. Developments of this kind respond to consumers' needs and follow through on regulatory requirements regarding plastic waste reduction and recycling. North America predominantly represents a mix of packaging manufacturers: multinationals and specialized firms that address particular industrial needs. Amcor, Berry Global, and Tetra Pak are the largest companies developing innovative solutions in regard to packaging - to balance consumer convenience with active environmentally friendly stewardship.

Market Drivers

• Consumer Convenience: In North America, the demand for single-use packaging is driven by a culture of convenience where consumers prioritize ease of use and portability. This trend is particularly pronounced in fast-paced urban environments, where individuals seek quick and efficient solutions for meals, beverages, and personal care products. The convenience of single-use packaging aligns with modern lifestyles that value time efficiency and on-the-go consumption, influencing purchasing decisions across retail, food service, and healthcare sectors.
• Support and Innovation: Government regulations and industry initiatives in North America play a pivotal role in driving innovation towards sustainable packaging solutions. Policies aimed at reducing plastic waste, such as bans on certain types of plastics and mandates for recyclable materials, incentivize companies to explore eco-friendly alternatives. This regulatory environment fosters collaboration between businesses, researchers, and policymakers to develop innovative packaging designs that meet consumer demands for convenience while addressing environmental concerns.

Market Challenges

• Environmental Concerns: Despite the convenience offered by single-use packaging, environmental concerns loom large in North America. Increased awareness of plastic pollution and its impact on ecosystems has led to public outcry and regulatory scrutiny. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable alternatives, putting pressure on businesses to adopt recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable packaging options. Balancing these demands with economic considerations and operational challenges remains a significant hurdle for industry stakeholders navigating the transition to more sustainable practices.
• Cost and Technological Barriers: Transitioning to sustainable packaging materials involves overcoming economic and technological barriers. While innovations in bioplastics and recycling technologies offer promising alternatives, they often come with higher production costs and logistical complexities. Companies must invest in research and infrastructure to scale these solutions effectively while maintaining competitive pricing and operational efficiency. Overcoming these barriers requires strategic investments in sustainable technologies and collaborative efforts across the supply chain to achieve long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

Market Trends

• Shift towards Sustainability:The single-use packaging market in North America is experiencing a notable shift towards sustainability-driven solutions. Companies are increasingly investing in biodegradable plastics, compostable materials, and recycled content to align with consumer preferences and regulatory mandates. This trend reflects a broader commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility, driving innovation in packaging design and material sourcing.
• Circular Economy Initiatives:Emphasis on circular economy principles is gaining traction in North America, with initiatives focused on closing the loop for packaging materials. These initiatives include enhancing recyclability, promoting reusable packaging models, and reducing waste throughout the product lifecycle. By adopting circular economy strategies, businesses not only mitigate environmental impact but improve resource efficiency and resilience against regulatory changes and consumer expectations.

Plastics are found in the one-time-use packaging in North America due to being versatile, cheaper, and readily available in the market.

Plastics dominate the single-use packages in the North American market for several reasons. First, plastics enjoy unparalleled versatility in shape, size, and functionality, rendering it useful for the packing of a very wide and varied set of items - from food and drink to pharmaceuticals and household items. One such adaptation is the ability to make tailorable packaging solutions for given product needs, which increase convenience and be attractive to consumers. Plastics are way cheaper compared to such materials as glass and metals. Also, they are cheaper both in terms of their production and the cost of shipping and storing them.

Such costs usually reduce the total cost of production by making products from such materials obviously cheaper to consumers. Economically, this becomes an important handy tool in winning over the consumers and market share in environments of high elasticity to price change. The low weight of plastics reduces costs in transportation and the energy used during distribution, particularly important for a vast region such as North America with an extended radius for supply chains.

This logistical ease adds to the attractiveness of plastics as packaging material for business operators desiring to make the operations efficient and carbon-light. An ideal example of plastic prevalence in North America is the use of PET bottles for drinks. These are lightweight, shatter-resistant, and very cost-effective for the transportation and display of a variety of drinks throughout the continent. All this happens despite mounting attitudes toward plastic waste and its environmental impact, due to the ease, flexibility, and economy of plastics in single-use packaging across North America.

Food products dominate the North American single-use packaging market because of the diverse food culture prevalent in this continent, combined with fast lifestyle and demands for convenience.

Food products lead the single-use packaging market in North America mainly because of the continent's diversity in cuisine, fast life pace, and on-the-move eating habits. Different types of packaging solutions that can bring freshness preservation, food safety, and added convenience for end consumers need to be included in the packaging. Ready-to-eat meals, snacks, or beverages - the demand for single-use packaging comes from consumer preference toward quick and easy meal options that could fit into busy schedules. North America dominates the segment of single-use packaging on account of its large retail network and wide reach of packaged food products.

This need for effective and dependable solutions in packaging extends to all channels of distribution, from supermarkets and convenient stores to restaurants and food delivery services, to come up to consumer expectations about the quality, taste, and hygiene associated with food. A very good example of this dominance can be realized through the huge popularity of single-serve snack foods and beverages packaged in formats like plastic, foil, and paperboard. Not only are the contents of the format protected, but theyoffer portion control and convenience for on-the-go consumption prevalent in North American lifestyles. This convenience and practicality of single-use packaging for food products explain its wide usage within the region, despite increasing awareness of sustainability-related issues.

The U.S. leads the single-use packaging market, largely due to the strong consumer goods sector, and further supported by an elaborate retail infrastructure and strong focus on convenience-driven consumption habits in the region.

Starting with food and beverages and running through personal care articles and household goods, there is immense demand for effective and functional packaging solutions to guarantee product safety, convenience, and shelf appeal. The nationwide retail infrastructure supports the distribution and consumption of packaged goods. It's easy for consumers to get what they need: supermarkets, convenience stores, and a growing cohort of online retailers that allow them to obtain a wide array of products in single-use formats for added convenience. This makes things easy for consumers to shop quickly and efficiently in a time demanded by modernity with very busy schedules and on-the-go consumption habits.

A number of factors are aiding its leadership position in the single-use packaging market in the United States. First and foremost, the country has attained a high level of development in its consumer goods industry. These broadly encompass a wide array of products that answer different consumer needs and preferences. The pressure exerted on consumption patterns, which are convenience-driven, increases demand for single-use packaging in a meaningful way ready-to-eat meals, portion-controlled snacks, single-serving beverages, and individually wrapped products all of them related to packaging solutions that give shape to the need for convenience and time efficiency in everyday life. For instance, Bottled water, soft drinks, and snack bars in low-weight portable containers are distributed across stores and vending machines of the country, testifying if anything to a strong preference for convenient and ready-to-use products.

Years considered in this report:

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in the report:

• Single Use Packaging market outlook with its value and forecast, along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Material Type:

• Plastic
• Paper and Paperboard
• Glass
• Other Material Types (Metals and Wood)

By End-user Industry:

• Food
• Beverage
• Personal Care
• Pharmaceutical
• Other End-user Industries

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. After this, the research team made primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once the research team attained the primary data, they verified the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended Audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Single Use Packaging industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.