A new report from the Sustainable Produce Packaging Alignment (SPPA) consortium argues that true sustainability in fresh produce packaging can only be achieved by putting functionality first. The Roadmap to Sustainable Fresh Produce Packaging outlines an industry-wide framework designed to guide packaging development toward solutions that are functional, economical, and environmentally conscious.

According to the SPPA, sustainability in packaging has too often been narrowly defined by whether a material is recyclable or compostable. While these qualities are important, the report warns that such a limited perspective ignores the primary role of packaging: to protect and preserve fresh produce throughout the supply chain. Poorly designed packaging that fails to safeguard food contributes to greater waste, undermining its sustainability credentials.

“Packaging that does not account for the complexity and functionality needs of fresh produce will fall short in performance and lead to unnecessary waste,” the report notes.

The SPPA highlights what it calls a “sustainability paradox.” Retailers and suppliers are often caught between conflicting national policies and buyer requirements, leading them to prioritize end-of-life attributes over a science-based, full life cycle evaluation. Instead, the report proposes an integrated model that considers:

• Origin Story: assessing whether materials are sourced from renewable inputs (like paper, sugarcane, or corn-based bioplastics) or finite resources such as petroleum-based plastics. The choice depends on the produce category and its logistical needs.
• Functionality: evaluating whether the packaging can effectively preserve freshness, prevent damage, and maintain food safety across the farm-to-table journey. Cold chain requirements, shelf life, and handling conditions must be factored in.
• End-of-Life: ensuring packaging materials are recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable in real-world infrastructure systems, while balancing against performance needs.

To improve efficiency, the roadmap suggests categorizing fresh produce into functional groups based on packaging requirements: Robust, Resilient, Delicate, and Highly Perishable. By aligning packaging development to these categories, supply chains could streamline processes, reduce waste, and avoid overengineering or under-protecting products.

For example, robust commodities like root vegetables may require minimal protective packaging, while highly perishable items such as berries need specialized packaging to extend shelf life and minimize spoilage. A one-size-fits-all approach is unsustainable, and packaging design must be customized to the unique characteristics of each product group.

The report emphasizes that the functional lifespan of packaging—its ability to perform during distribution, retail, and storage—is as critical as its disposal stage. End-of-life recycling and compostability should be considered alongside performance, not in isolation. In this way, the industry can move toward a waste-less model where packaging does its job effectively and contributes to sustainability goals.

The SPPA roadmap provides a clear signal to packaging producers, retailers, and fresh produce suppliers: sustainability must be multidimensional. Companies that embrace this holistic view will not only align with evolving policy and consumer expectations but also enhance supply chain efficiency and reduce food waste—an often-overlooked driver of environmental impact.

Conclusion: By reframing sustainability to focus first on functionality and lifecycle performance, the fresh produce industry can make packaging both more effective and environmentally responsible. The SPPA’s roadmap offers a practical path toward unifying standards and accelerating the transition to packaging that protects food, supports recycling infrastructure, and delivers genuine sustainability.