The business case for purpose: how credible impact drives brand growth, trust, and performance
Let’s get one thing out of the way: business purpose isn’t a brand “nice-to-have” anymore. Not because people suddenly got nicer, but because the market has changed. Consumers now expect brands to carry more of the sustainability load than individuals do. In NielsenIQ’s 2023 sustainability research, 46% of respondents said brands are most responsible for […]
Sustainability is now imposed. Leadership is still a choice.
In 2025, sustainability is no longer an aspirational idea reserved for annual reports or brand manifestos. It has become a structural requirement, embedded in regulation, scrutinised by regulators, and increasingly assessed by consumers who expect evidence, not intention. For brands navigating plastic packaging, EPR compliance, and sustainability commitments, this marks a decisive shift: Regulation has […]
How brands use certified plastic credits to support Scope 3 reductions
For many organisations, conversations about sustainability now revolve around Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. These terms appear in ESG reports, investor briefings, and regulatory discussions, often without explanation. If you are not a sustainability specialist, that can feel disorienting. Before discussing how certified plastic credits support Scope 3 strategies, it is important to […]
When waste management systems fail, workers pay the price
There is a hard truth at the heart of the global waste management conversation that rarely gets the attention it deserves. When waste systems fail, the consequences are not abstract nor theoretical. They are borne by people by workers whose bodies absorb the risk long before the rest of society feels any disruption. The landfill […]
Turning Tides: Transforming marine debris into art in the Torres Strait
In November 2025, the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) invited us to deliver an intensive workshop on Waiben, Zenadeth Kes, with 12 local artists from the Torres Straits Islands. The 3-day workshop was held at Gab Titui Art & Cultural Centre with artists from places including Badu, Moa and Erub Island, as well as Seisa […]
Design for Recyclability 2026: New material, label & additive restrictions
The 2025 EU PPWR (Packaging Waste Regulation) has ushered in a ‘packaging renaissance’, where packaging is being designed for both consumer appeal and recyclability. For brands selling into the EU, design for recyclability is now a compliance requirement, not a future ambition. Decisions made in 2026 will determine whether packaging can legally remain on the […]
COP30 after Belém: Why verified plastic recovery will matter more in 2026 corporate reporting
Delegates of COP30 in Belém demanded ‘roadmaps’ to lead the world away from fossil fuels and to prevent deforestation. While the roadmaps didn’t fully materialize by the end of COP30, they are expected in mid- 2026. The concept of a roadmap is powerful, since it illustrates a vision with clear steps for achieving an extraordinarily […]
Buy One → Remove One: A clearer way to communicate sustainability impact
Sustainability is more visible than ever, and harder than ever to distinguish. Most brands now meet baseline expectations. They report, track, certify, and communicate progress. But for audiences outside sustainability teams, the result is often the same: similar language, similar claims, and little sense of what impact actually looks like in the real world. That […]
How to build an EPR-ready packaging data architecture for 2026
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are expanding rapidly across global markets. For brands, this shift brings a clear reality: packaging data is no longer a back-office detail. It is a regulatory asset. Whether EPR is already in force where you operate or still on the horizon, building an EPR-ready packaging data architecture now is the […]
How certified plastic recovery strengthened packaging claims for August
How certified plastic recovery strengthened packaging claims for August When period-care brand August committed to making transparent, evidence-based packaging claims, they turned to Plastic Collective’s certified plastic recovery program. The result: a stronger sustainability narrative, audit-ready data, and precise alignment with emerging packaging regulations. This case demonstrates why certified recovery is becoming essential for brands […]
