The Rise of Sustainable Packaging in 2025 - What It Means for Talent
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have in packaging - it’s a nonnegotiable. In 2025, we’re seeing a sharp shift toward recyclable, compostable, and lower-carbon materials across every segment of packaging. For companies, this creates a pressing need for talent who can bridge new materials, regulatory insight, and production realities.
Recent industry forecasts show the UK sustainable packaging market is projected to grow at ~7.6 % CAGR (2025–2033).
Leading innovations include mono-material pouches, recyclable films, and biodegradable coatings.
What this means for hiring:
You need packaging technologists who understand material science as well as supply chain constraints.
R&D, conversion, quality, and compliance specialists are in greater demand.
Sales teams will increasingly need to sell sustainability credentials (EPR, plastic tax, recycle claims).
Tips for recruiters & hiring managers:
Be explicit in job specs about sustainability competencies (e.g., knowledge of compostability, PCR, life-cycle analysis).
Look for hybrid profiles who understand both innovation and manufacturability.
Plan for upskilling: existing staff may need training in new materials or sustainability regulations.
If you’re scaling your team to meet sustainability targets and need to place people who can lead that shift, Pack Recruiter can help. Let us partner with you to define the right candidate brief and access industry specialists who can deliver.
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