Asia’s Food & Beverage Industry Leads the Way in Sustainable Packaging

Asia’s F&B Sector Initiative for Sustainable Packaging

Reasons

On 26 May 2025, Asia’s Food and beverage industry is focusing on decarbonization and the minimization of waste. The region is making a revolutionary change and initiating efforts to promote sustainable packaging. The food system is liable for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, along with the single region producing 1.5 million metric tonnes of food packaging waste annually. The concern is about climate-related disruption, increasing consumer scrutiny, and supply chain volatility. These concerns are collectively encouraging to take a step ahead for sustainability. The one step is counted in the top agendas of the boardroom meetings.

The government is initiating an eco-friendly approach to control the damage done by the packaging waste. The introduction of ESG (environmental, social, governance), a mandatory report scheme, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks is introduced to overcome these reasons. This initiative will redesign the industry norms.

Which regions have embraced sustainable change?

Where decarbonization is focusing on agriculture and energy use, packaging is the primary and important center for change. Innovation in packaging is a smart choice to start for the F&B players. This will show major improvements in the operational process. Packaging innovation is essential for decarbonization and meeting regulatory and consumer expectations. It will build resilience to achieve sustainable growth.

Across the Asia region, sustainability-related regulation is gaining popularity and encouraging the F&B industry to revise packaging strategies. Singapore’s mandatory packaging reporting framework under the Resource Sustainability Act requires companies to report on packaging use and submit 3R (RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE) plans are making way for an EPR scheme by 2025. Whereas, Malaysia’s plastics sustainability roadmap 2021-2030 is also initiating a transitional shift towards an environmental, eco-friendly solution, consisting of recycled content targets and single-use plastic bans.

Meanwhile, Indonesia and the Philippines are also indulging in recovering plastic packaging waste to achieve 100% recyclable packaging. Europe has long made a move by declaring mandatory regulations of the single-use plastics directive on beverage packaging in 2024. The packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) is an offering for innovation, collaboration, and improving the packaging ecosystem. Europe follows this regulation.

The Asian manufacturers have been responsive to the major shifts and obediently follow the implications and lead wisely. Few legislative aspects are yet to be finalized, are under process. The change can be witnessed in the global supply chains. The transformation is visible with its emerging innovation, strategic collaboration, and huge investment in the innovative partnership. The sustainable packaging idea minimizes shifting trade standards and carbon taxes. This will ensure long-term profitability and consistency in the supply chain.