US Single-use Packaging Market Analysis, Size, and Forecast 2025-2029

US Single-use Packaging Market Size 2025-2029

The us single-use packaging market size is valued to increase by USD 2.53 billion, at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2024 to 2029. Growth of food delivery and takeaway industry will drive the us single-use packaging market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

• By Product - Rigid packaging segment was valued at USD 4.15 billion in 2023
• By End-user - Food segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

• Market Opportunities: USD 3.54 billion
• Market Future Opportunities: USD 2.53 billion
• CAGR from 2024 to 2029 : 6.6%

Market Summary

• The single-use packaging market in US is shaped by the dual demands of consumer convenience and environmental responsibility. Key drivers include the expansion of e-commerce and food delivery platforms, which necessitate durable, lightweight, and hygienic packaging solutions for a vast array of products.
• This has amplified the trend toward single-serve formats and portion-controlled packaging, catering to on-the-go lifestyles and reducing food waste. However, this growth is met with significant challenges, primarily revolving around waste management and the environmental impact of disposable materials. Growing regulatory pressure and heightened public awareness are compelling a transition toward sustainable alternatives, including recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable materials.
• A key business scenario involves supply chain managers re-evaluating their packaging portfolios to balance cost, performance, and compliance with emerging regulations like extended producer responsibility. This requires a strategic shift from a linear take-make-dispose model to a circular approach, integrating recycled content and designing for end-of-life recyclability.
• The industry's trajectory depends on innovations in material science and the development of robust recycling infrastructure to create a more closed-loop system that aligns convenience with sustainability goals, ensuring long-term market viability.

What will be the Size of the US Single-use Packaging Market during the forecast period?

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How is the US Single-use Packaging Market Segmented?

The us single-use packaging industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD million" for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

By Product Insights

The rigid packaging segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

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The Rigid packaging segment was valued at USD 4.15 billion in 2023 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

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Market Dynamics

Our researchers analyzed the data with 2024 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

• Strategic decision-making in the packaging sector is increasingly influenced by several interconnected factors. The proliferation of single-serve formats for the beverage industry highlights a broader market pivot toward convenience, yet this trend is complicated by significant recycling challenges for rigid plastic products.
• In response, many organizations are exploring the role of bioplastics in foodservice packaging, especially for compostable materials for quick-service restaurants. These initiatives are supported by advancements in high-barrier film technology, which are crucial for modified atmosphere packaging for shelf-life extension. The overarching goal is to identify sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging that meet both performance standards and consumer expectations.
• This shift reflects evolving consumer preferences for convenience-driven packaging while navigating a complex regulatory landscape for food contact substances. Lightweighting strategies in rigid container manufacturing are being implemented to reduce material usage and transport costs. A detailed cost-benefit analysis of recycled PET (rPET) is now standard practice for many firms designing packaging for improved recyclability.
• Innovations in aseptic carton for liquid foods continue to provide resource-efficient alternatives. Concurrently, the impact of e-commerce growth on packaging demand has led to a focus on automation trends in packaging and fulfillment.
• The rise of dark kitchen models and their packaging needs has created a new demand segment, while flexible packaging solutions for personal care items must balance aesthetics with sustainability. The entire value chain faces challenges in sorting multi-layer flexible films, the impact of raw material costs on packaging prices, and the pressing need for implementing circular economy models for packaging.
• Firms that proactively address these issues often see better supply chain resilience, outperforming sector averages in material cost stability by a noticeable margin.

What are the key market drivers leading to the rise in the adoption of US Single-use Packaging Industry?

• The expansion of the food delivery and takeaway industry is a primary driver fueling market growth.

• The sustained growth of the e-commerce and food delivery sectors is a primary market driver. Demand for e-commerce shipping solutions and specialized food delivery packaging is fueling innovation in durable and lightweight materials.
• This includes containers made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and flexible formats utilizing advanced barrier coating technology. The consumer preference for on-the-go consumption habits has solidified the importance of single-serve formats and portion control packaging, particularly for ready-to-eat meal trays.
• This trend is pushing manufacturers toward developing more sustainable packaging materials, including recyclable pouch materials. Innovations in chemical recycling processes are expanding the viability of these solutions.
• Companies implementing automated packaging lines for these formats report fulfillment speed increases of up to 25%, while digital printing on packaging allows for greater customization.

What are the market trends shaping the US Single-use Packaging Industry?

• The growing consumption of packaged beverages is a significant emerging trend. This development is progressively influencing demand dynamics within the market.

• Evolving consumer lifestyles are shaping key trends, with a notable shift toward flexible film packaging solutions that offer portability and resource efficiency. Materials like polypropylene polystyrene (PP) are being engineered for diverse applications, from cosmetic sample sachets to institutional can liners.
• The rise of the dark kitchen supply chain and demand from quick-service restaurant (QSR) supplies are accelerating the adoption of compostable foodservice packaging. For shelf-stable products, retort pouch technology provides a lightweight alternative to traditional cans, while cold-form foil laminates are critical for sensitive pharmaceuticals.
• Advanced polymer science is enabling these innovations, with some firms reporting a 20% reduction in material usage for CPG products. The integration of smart packaging features, which can track freshness, is enhancing product value for institutional food service.

What challenges does the US Single-use Packaging Industry face during its growth?

• The high cost of recycling rigid plastic products remains a significant challenge impacting the industry's growth trajectory.

• Navigating environmental pressures and regulatory complexities presents significant challenges. While solutions like modified atmosphere packaging and biaxially oriented nylon films enhance product preservation, their multi-layer structures complicate disposal. Similarly, the widespread use of thermoformed plastic cups and pharmaceutical blister packs faces scrutiny due to difficulties in mechanical recycling streams.
• In response, brand owner sustainability goals are driving investment in molded fiber products and improved beverage carton systems. However, meeting stringent food contact material regulations with recycled content remains a hurdle, with compliance costs increasing documentation requirements by over 30% for some manufacturers.
• These regulatory compliance challenges are intensified by growing consumer environmental awareness, compelling a thorough packaging cost analysis that balances performance, cost, and end-of-life management. This is also seen in the demand for better flexible lidding solutions.

Exclusive Technavio Analysis on Customer Landscape

The us single-use packaging market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the us single-use packaging market report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.

Customer Landscape of US Single-use Packaging Industry

Competitive Landscape

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, us single-use packaging market forecast, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the industry.

Amcor Plc - Offerings include engineered single-serve sachets for condiments and dressings, addressing demand for precise portion control and convenience in food service applications.

The industry research and growth report includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:

• Amcor Plc
• Ardagh Group SA
• Berry Global Inc.
• Dart Container Corp.
• Georgia Pacific LLC
• Graphic Packaging Holding Co.
• Liquipak Corp.
• Mattpak Inc.
• Novolex
• O I Glass Inc.
• O.Berk Co. LLC
• Pactiv Evergreen Inc.
• ProAmpac Holdings Inc.
• Sealed Air Corp.
• Snapsil Corp.
• Tetra Pak International SA
• Transcontinental Inc.
• Winpak Ltd.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key industry players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Recent Development and News in Us single-use packaging market

• In September 2024, Amcor Plc announced the commercial launch of its new AmFiber Performance Paper, a high-barrier, recyclable packaging solution designed for snacks and confectionery, reducing plastic usage by up to 80% compared to traditional packaging.
• In December 2024, Berry Global Inc. finalized its acquisition of a key European producer of thermoformed containers for a reported $450 million, significantly increasing its capacity to serve the ready-to-eat meal and dairy markets.
• In February 2025, ProAmpac Holdings Inc. formed a strategic alliance with a major university's material science department to accelerate the development of next-generation compostable films with enhanced oxygen and moisture barrier properties.
• In May 2025, Sealed Air Corp. received regulatory approval from the FDA for a new food-grade recycled plastic material derived from its advanced chemical recycling process, allowing for its use in direct food contact applications.

Dive into Technavio’s robust research methodology, blending expert interviews, extensive data synthesis, and validated models for unparalleled US Single-use Packaging Market insights. See full methodology.

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Research Analyst Overview

• The US single-use packaging market is actively redefining its operational footprint around circular economy principles. Boardroom-level decisions increasingly pivot from traditional material dependence toward a portfolio approach integrating innovations in advanced polymer science. While rigid plastic containers and flexible film packaging remain foundational, the emphasis is on sustainable packaging materials, including molded fiber products and compostable foodservice packaging.
• The use of food-grade polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene polystyrene (PP) is being optimized for recyclability. Firms adopting hybrid chemical recycling processes alongside mechanical recycling streams are reporting up to a 25% increase in feedstock recovery from complex waste.
• This is crucial for increasing post-consumer recycled (PCR) content while adhering to strict food contact material regulations. The ecosystem is diverse, spanning from aseptic carton packaging and corrugated container systems to specialized formats like retort pouch technology and cold-form foil laminates. Key technologies include barrier coating technology and modified atmosphere packaging, which utilize high-barrier film structures.
• The supply chain also relies on glass container manufacturing, metal can packaging, and institutional can liners. Lightweight container design and flexible lidding solutions are standard, but the entire value chain is being reshaped by extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies that demand better waste management infrastructure.
• Materials like biaxially oriented nylon, recyclable padded mailers, and thermoformed plastic cups must now be designed for end-of-life, driving a shift away from landfill dependency.

What are the Key Data Covered in this US Single-use Packaging Market Research and Growth Report?

• What is the expected growth of the US Single-use Packaging Market between 2025 and 2029?

  • USD 2.53 billion, at a CAGR of 6.6%

• What segmentation does the market report cover?

  • The report is segmented by Product (Rigid packaging, and Flexible packaging), End-user (Food, Beverage, Healthcare and pharmaceutical, Personal care, and Others), Material (Plastic, Paper and paperboard, Metals, Glass, and Biodegradable materials) and Geography (North America)

• Which regions are analyzed in the report?

  • North America

• What are the key growth drivers and market challenges?

  • Growth of food delivery and takeaway industry, High cost of recycling rigid plastic products

• Who are the major players in the US Single-use Packaging Market?

  • Amcor Plc, Ardagh Group SA, Berry Global Inc., Dart Container Corp., Georgia Pacific LLC, Graphic Packaging Holding Co., Liquipak Corp., Mattpak Inc., Novolex, O I Glass Inc., O.Berk Co. LLC, Pactiv Evergreen Inc., ProAmpac Holdings Inc., Sealed Air Corp., Snapsil Corp., Tetra Pak International SA, Transcontinental Inc. and Winpak Ltd.

Market Research Insights

• The market is shaped by consumer convenience trends and overarching brand owner sustainability goals. The rise of food delivery packaging and e-commerce shipping solutions necessitates deep supply chain optimization, spurring packaging innovation for diverse applications from ready-to-eat meal trays to cosmetic sample sachets. Catering to on-the-go consumption habits requires balancing performance with food safety standards.
• In response to consumer environmental awareness and regulatory compliance challenges, waste reduction initiatives are paramount. Firms adopting automated packaging lines see efficiency gains over 15%. A comprehensive packaging cost analysis must now factor in raw material price volatility and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Success hinges on improving sorting technology advancements within material recovery facilities (MRFs) to support closed-loop recycling systems and the unique demands of the dark kitchen supply chain and quick-service restaurant (QSR) supplies.

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