Aluminium supersedes plastic: a sustainable shift emerging in the US, UK, & Canada

According to PMMI’s 2024 State of the Industry US Packaging Machinery Report, packaging machinery manufacturers are actively innovating to support aluminium and other eco-friendly materials, aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for sustainable solutions. 

This shift comes as sustainability becomes a defining force in reshaping the packaging industry. While the US continues to have less stringent packaging regulations than the European Union, leading companies across North America are increasingly embracing aluminium-based sustainable packaging solutions. 

Recognised for its recyclability, light weight, and relatively low environmental footprint compared to plastic, aluminium is playing a pivotal role as brands and manufacturers respond to mounting regulatory pressure and evolving consumer preferences. 

From plastic to aluminium: regulatory drivers and consumer preferences

The decline of single-use plastics (SUPs) is gaining momentum across North America, driven largely by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies in select US states, such as Maine’s 2021 EPR law, which requires packaging producers to fund recycling and waste management efforts.