Rika Kelso
Senior Marketing Executive, Easyfairs
Sustainability is now embedded across packaging design, regulation and supply chains. London Packaging Week 2026 explores how the industry is moving from ambition to implementation.
Sustainability is no longer a standalone objective in packaging. It’s now embedded across design, regulation, sourcing and commercial decision-making. At London Packaging Week 2026, that shift is brought into focus as the industry gathers to explore how sustainable packaging solutions are being developed, tested and scaled in practice.
From ambition to implementation
As UK and European regulations continue to evolve, packaging professionals face increasing pressure from extended producer responsibility, recyclability requirements and upcoming frameworks, including the UK Deposit Return Scheme and the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The challenge is no longer intent, but execution at speed and scale.
London Packaging Week acts as a meeting point for that challenge. It brings together brands, suppliers, designers and regulators to share approaches, compare solutions and explore what works in real-world conditions. Discussions increasingly focus on how businesses can navigate pEPR, build stronger supplier partnerships and optimise packaging systems to improve compliance and cost efficiency.
More than 210 exhibitors present materials, technologies and packaging systems designed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance and commercial viability. This includes recyclable and compostable substrates, fibre-based alternatives, refill models, lightweighting strategies and circular design approaches.
As UK and European regulations continue to
evolve, packaging professionals face increasing
pressure from extended producer responsibility,
recyclability requirements and upcoming frameworks.
Driving industry dialogue
The conference brings together more than 90 speakers across two stages, with sustainability embedded throughout the agenda. A keynote from PackUK’s Esther Carter opens discussion on national system alignment and long-term packaging targets, while WRAP leads sessions on scaling circularity through cross-value chain collaboration. OPRL examines how labelling and communication must evolve to improve recycling outcomes and consumer understanding.
Further sessions explore readiness for the UK Deposit Return Scheme and the operational realities of system-wide change across supply chains, with contributions from brands, retailers and recycling organisations.
Recognising measurable progress
Sustainability is also reinforced through the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards. For the first time, it introduces a dedicated ‘Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year’ category. The award recognises packaging that demonstrates measurable environmental progress alongside commercial viability, highlighting the growing expectation for sustainability to be embedded within core packaging strategy rather than treated as a standalone objective.
Across the event, the Innovation Gallery, Start-Up Zone and Discovery Theatre continue to showcase emerging materials, technologies and early-stage solutions that challenge established systems.
By bringing together global brands, suppliers and policymakers, London Packaging Week provides a live environment where sustainability isn’t only discussed but tested, challenged and advanced into practical application.
