
SPC Innovator Awards
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition recognizes meaningful contributions and advancements towards more sustainable packaging through the annual SPC Innovator Awards. The awards celebrate and showcase the outstanding people and organizations behind extraordinary advancements in packaging sustainability.
All winners will be given an award plaque suitable for prominent display. The SPC will coordinate publicizing the finalists and the award winners. Announcements of the award winners and their respective projects or programs will be promoted by the SPC through the SPC website and written communications such as newsletters and social media. Additionally, SPC Innovator Award Winners will have the option to develop a case study jointly with Trayak.
The SPC Innovator Awards are open for SPC members to apply.
The submission period for the 2022 SPC Innovator Awards was open from Monday, April 25th until Friday, July 8th. Submissions are now closed.
Tips for a Winning Submission
A submission is more likely to advance to the finalist stage – and be selected as a winner – of the SPC Innovator Awards if it:
- Showcases a breakthrough in its category – see past years’ winners for what was considered a novel solution in past years
- Demonstrates the use of third-party certifications, standards, and testing protocols, including but not limited to FSC, SFI, APR, How2Recycle, BPI, TUV, etc.
- Refrains from generic sustainability claims that are not reinforced by certifications (e.g. “fully recyclable”, “responsibly sourced”, “compostable”)
- Provides as much technical information as possible about the achievements of the package (e.g. spec sheets, LCA output, certification status, test results, etc.)
- While the submission may focus on improvements to primarily one category (e.g. responsible sourcing), it should not “take a step backwards” in other categories (e.g by compromising material health when reasonable alternatives are available)
Members must be logged in to access the ‘Submissions’ tab.
Sponsored by:
Award Categories

Innovation in Responsible Sourcing
Recognizing breakthroughs in the procurement and use of more sustainable materials, including new materials, improvements to conventional materials, improvements to sourcing practices, and novel uses of materials in challenging applications.

Innovation in Design Optimization
Recognizing breakthroughs in efficiency, including reductions in material usage, process improvements enabled by changes in packaging design, and improvements to volumetric/cube utilization and transportation efficiency, provided that functionality and performance are preserved or enhanced while life cycle impacts are lowered.

Innovation in Recovery
Recognizing breakthroughs in the quantity and/or quality of recovered packaging, including design improvements that enable greater compatibility with existing recovery infrastructure, enhancements to recovery programs and/or infrastructure, and partnerships to advance recovery practices and/or participation.

Innovation in Food Waste Prevention
Recognizing breakthroughs in preventing food waste through packaging design, such as improvements to product evacuation, functionality, resealability, closures, pack sizes, and ease of use; technology-based innovations such as coatings, sensors, inserts, packets, and active packaging, and/or raising consumer awareness about proper food storage.
-
2022 SPC Innovator Awards Winners
Finalists
-
2021 SPC Innovator Awards Winners
Finalists
-
2020 SPC Innovator Awards Winners
Finalists
2020 SPC Innovator Awards
-
2019 SPC Innovator Awards Winners
Finalists
-
2018 SPC Innovator Awards Winners
Sustainable packaging innovators earn kudos
Sometimes it’s hard enough to make any substantial gains in sustainable packaging goals. But it takes extra effort and zeal to really excel. When that happens, the entire industry—and perhaps even the world—advances.
On April 25, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition applauded innovation and leadership in sustainable packaging with the presentation of its 2018 SPC Innovator Awards. Excellence in sustainability and packaging was recognized in four categories: Packaging Innovation; Breakthrough Process; Outcome of a Partnership; and Outstanding Person.
Read the Full Profile of the 2017 SPC Innovator Award Winners -
2017 SPC Innovator Awards Winners
The sustainable packaging community celebrates achievements
Adam Gendell, Associate Director of the SPC:
“The submissions we received were a clear indicator of the impressive breadth and depth of our members’ activities in packaging sustainability. Our awardees are taking chances and deserve celebration for their enterprising and creative ideas. All of these winners went beyond the easy wins, and showed true commitment to creating meaningful change.”
Read the Full Profile of the 2017 SPC Innovator Award Winners
The submission window for this year’s awards have closed. Check back for more information about next year’s awards.