With most CPG operations, end-of-line packaging might not be the first thing people think of when it comes to sustainability, but it’s where the brand promise is secured. It’s what protects your product, and it’s the last touch before a product reaches the consumer.
Today, sustainability is reshaping packaging strategies. The pressure is real: environmental regulations, consumer expectations and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations are pushing manufacturers to act fast and adopt sustainable packaging solutions.
Let’s explore some of the driving forces behind the sustainable packaging movement and learn about innovations in packaging tape and application technology that help CPGs meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.
What’s Driving the Sustainable Packaging Movement?
Escalating Environmental Pressure
- Packaging accounts for nearly 40% of global plastic use.
- Half of all plastic waste is single-use plastics, with landfill life lasting hundreds of years.
These statistics paint a stark picture: short-lived convenience items are leaving a long-lasting environmental footprint.
Consumer Demand
Today’s consumers look beyond the product and care about the package it comes in. They’re asking brands to do better, and responsible brands are leading by example. When brands demonstrate real progress in sustainable packaging, it builds trust and loyalty.
So, sustainability isn’t just about reducing impact. It’s about strengthening the relationship between brands and their customers.
Regulatory Momentum
Governments worldwide are tightening requirements on single-use plastics, pushing for circular solutions. Regulations require manufacturers to fund programs for recycling and waste management, with fees tied to the volume and type of packaging.
With this rise in regulations, sustainability is becoming central to ESG strategies. Acting now positions your brand as a leader, not a follower, in the transition to a circular economy.
Challenges and Opportunities
Plastics are hard to replace. They’re strong, conformable and cost-effective. The real question: how can we use plastic more responsibly in end-of-line packaging?
At 2025 Pack Expo, Bradley Dunlap, Director of Industrial Packaging Tape at Shurtape Technologies, shared insights on how brands can rethink packaging tape to reduce, and even eliminate, virgin plastic in carton sealing operations.
Dunlap highlighted three key strategies:
- Reduce Usage
Reduce tape use by rightsizing tape tab lengths to maximize every inch of the roll and ensure proper application, ensuring the adhesive is fully utilized. - Choose Better Materials
Use tapes made with post-consumer recycled polyester, like Shurtape® Recycled Series, which transforms used water bottles and rigid containers into reground flake, pelletized and then into film for packaging tape. Or, select paper tapes that use renewable FSC-certified paper and are curbside recyclable, right on the box. - Pair Tape with Automation
The ShurSEAL® Packaging Solution from Shurtape combines innovative tape application technology with high-performance packaging tapes, including Shurtape Recycled and Curbside Series Packaging Tapes, to deliver more reliable case sealing with less tape and less waste.
The Message is Clear
It’s time to rethink packaging, and even something as small as tape can have a big impact.
At Shurtape, we’re addressing these challenges through our ShurSEAL program by pairing innovative tape application technology with a wide range of sustainable high-performance packaging tapes, including our Recycled and Curbside Series Tapes.
Explore Shurtape’s sustainable packaging solutions and learn how we can help you secure your brand promise while supporting a greener future.
