Unlock The Hidden Value in Your Packaging Data

What if your packaging data held the secret to saving money AND reducing your environmental impact?

Most companies have a blindspot when it comes to their packaging data. It's not surprising – data is often scattered across spreadsheets, PDFs, emails and even Post-It notes! Without a clear picture, how can you measure the environmental footprint of your packaging or identify opportunities to reduce costs?   

In Australia, 6.98 million tonnes of packaging was placed on market (POM) during 2021-2022, representing an estimated $2.1 billion in value¹. Reducing this by just 10% would eliminate 698,000 tonnes of packaging, saving $210 million. This substantial saving could be shared with consumers to address rising cost-of-living concerns or reinvested to further enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Beyond cost savings, the environmental benefits of removing 698,000 tonnes of packaging are equally compelling – reduced logistics emissions, less waste at end of life, and decreased pressure on Australia’s emerging recovery and recycling infrastructure. While this is a simplified take on a complex problem, the logic is sound, and it’s the right direction for us to pursue.

Here's the kicker – data doesn’t lie, but it does hide.

And when it’s hidden, we miss the chance to make informed decisions. Imagine being able to pinpoint where your packaging creates waste, how it impacts your carbon footprint, or where inefficiencies are driving up costs.

It's not just about fixing what's broken – It's about unlocking what's possible. 

Why This is Getting Harder to Ignore

If the sheer potential of packaging data isn’t enough to grab your attention, compliance pressures likely will. This is a landscape that is changing rapidly. Terms like Scope 3 emissions, Extended Producer Responsibility, and eco-modulated fees are no longer buzzwords - they’re becoming business realities.

Companies are now expected to track and report on their packaging’s environmental impact, and the stakes are high. Failure to adapt doesn’t just mean regulatory headaches – it could mean falling behind in a market that’s increasingly valuing sustainability. The sustainable packaging market alone is valued at $285.3 billion USD at the end of 2024. Within 10 years, by the end of 2034, it is projected to reach $490.5 billion USD.

This isn’t just about avoiding penalties; it’s about staying ahead of the curve. What if compliance became less of a burden and more of a competitive edge?‍

Even the United States is Getting on Board

Like Australia, the United States faces challenges with its fragmented approach to packaging regulations, lacking the centralised frameworks found in Europe.

However, state-level initiatives are driving meaningful change. EPR frameworks are already in place across five states –California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Oregon – with significant progress in compostable packaging regulations. Policies like the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (Senate Bill 54, SB54) are at the forefront, aiming to eliminate plastic waste and foster a circular economy.

While potential challenges may arise under a Trump-led Republican Government, the momentum for sustainable packaging solutions is expected to continue.

The Untapped Potential of Packaging Data

Data is never just numbers; it’s a story waiting to be told – about inefficiencies, opportunities and even innovation. Take packaging weight, for example. On the surface, it might seem insignificant, but even a slight reduction across millions of units can save money, lower physical mass, and reduce emissions from production and logistics.

Or consider the materials you use. Switching to those with higher recyclability or recycled content isn’t just better for the planet – it can be better for your bottom line, especially with eco-modulated fees coming into play in 2027. The key is balancing your material portfolio to optimise both environmental and financial outcomes; however, this depends on uncovering the (often) hidden data needed to unlock these insights. 

Unilever offers a powerful example of what’s possible. Since 2008, they’ve saved €1.5 billion by lightweighting bottles for concentrated products and implementing other sustainability initiatives.

This approach doesn’t just cut costs – it reduces resource use and environmental impact, creating a multiplier effect.

But their innovation teams aren’t stopping there (yes, we’ve spoken to them!). They see even greater potential in increasing product concentration to further reduce packaging. The challenge? Achieving cross-industry alignment to ensure customers still perceive value.

It would take a bold retailer to double the price of washing-up liquid, for example, in exchange for twice the concentration. But the benefits are undeniable: 50% fewer bottles, 50% fewer shipments, and a dramatically smaller environmental footprint.

The answers lie in your data.

‍What are the quick wins you are missing? How can you refine your packaging to deliver better commercial outcomes while improve impact across the lifecycle? Now’s the time to uncover the insights within your data and transform them into meaningful action. The opportunity is there – are you ready to take the leap?

At Phantm, we’re driven by a simple but powerful mission: to eliminate fugitive materials from the global ecosystem and help build a cleaner, more regenerative circular economy.

We know meaningful change isn’t always easy, and it comes with costs – that’s why we’re committed to helping our customers unlock value and find solutions thatwork for both their business and the planet. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities and create lasting change.

¹ Source: Australian Packaging Consumption and Recovery report 2021-22