California’s SB 54 regulations are reshaping packaging decisions by requiring producers to achieve a 25% reduction in single-use plastic packaging by 2032, measured against their 2023 packaging baseline. Progress isn’t measured by plastic weight alone; companies must also reduce the number of plastic components in their packaging, making thoughtful packaging design and engineering more important than ever.
With the August 1, 2026 deadline approaching, producers subject to regulation must submit their initial Individual Source Reduction Plan (ISRP), outlining how they intend to meet California’s source reduction requirements and work toward the state’s long-term reduction targets. For many organizations, that means answering difficult questions about packaging data, material choices, engineering tradeoffs, and where meaningful source reduction opportunities actually exist.
With deadlines like SB 54’s looming, the challenge isn’t understanding why source reduction matters; it’s knowing where to start.
That’s exactly what Strategic Packaging Partners’ President Jessie Schwartz and EPR expert Eric Abraham discussed during a recent free LinkedIn Live held on June 26, 2026. Rather than focusing solely on regulatory requirements, they shared a practical framework packaging teams can use to evaluate source reduction opportunities, prioritize initiatives, and begin preparing for California’s SB 54 requirements.
If your organization is evaluating packaging changes, preparing for SB 54, or looking for practical ways to identify source reduction opportunities, this training provides an excellent starting point.
Watch the full recording below.
Why Source Reduction Matters Now
EPR regulations in several states, along with California’s SB 54 legislation are changing the way producers think about packaging.
Source reduction is no longer simply a sustainability initiative; it is becoming a business initiative that influences packaging design, engineering decisions, compliance planning, and long-term cost management.
As organizations prepare for future reporting requirements, they’re asking questions like:
- Where are our biggest opportunities?
- What does California actually expect?
- Which packaging changes will have the greatest impact?
- How do we balance sustainability with performance, cost, and consumer expectations?
Rather than viewing source reduction as another compliance exercise, packaging teams have an opportunity to use it as a framework for making smarter packaging decisions.
The Five Pathways to Source Reduction
During the LinkedIn Live training, Jessie and Eric broke down the Five Pathways to Source Reduction framework that organizations can use to evaluate their packaging portfolio and begin to answer the questions above.
1. Eliminate
The simplest opportunity is often removing packaging components that no longer provide meaningful value.
Examples may include:
- Unnecessary sleeves
- Plastic windows
- Excess inserts
- Redundant secondary packaging
- Oversized labels or closures
Even small reductions can create meaningful impact when multiplied across millions of units.
2. Right-Size
Many packages contain unnecessary air space or excess shipping volume.
Right-sizing helps companies reduce:
- Headspace
- Shipping cube
- Void fill
- Pallet inefficiencies
- Distribution costs
Often, reducing package size delivers both sustainability and operational benefits.
3. Lightweight
Lightweighting focuses on reducing material without sacrificing package performance.
This may include:
- Downgauging films
- Optimizing bottle or carton structures
- Reducing component weight
- Improving product-to-package ratios
The goal isn’t simply using less material—it’s maintaining performance while eliminating unnecessary weight.
4. Reuse & Refill
Reuse systems can significantly reduce packaging waste, but they require more than new packaging.
Successful programs must consider:
- Consumer adoption
- Reverse logistics
- Cleaning and inspection
- Transportation
- Overall economics
As discussed during the webinar, reuse is often as much a business model decision as it is a packaging decision.
5. Format & Material Shifts
Changing packaging formats or materials can create opportunities—but only when evaluated holistically.
Every change should consider:
- Recyclability
- Compostability
- Shelf life
- Transportation impacts
- Consumer experience
- Manufacturing requirements
- Future EPR implications
Simply replacing one material with another doesn’t automatically create a better outcome.
Better Packaging Decisions Start with Better Questions
One of the biggest themes throughout the discussion was that successful source reduction isn’t about chasing a single metric.
Packaging engineers must balance:
- Product protection
- Manufacturing efficiency
- Transportation
- Sustainability goals
- Regulatory requirements
- Consumer expectations
- Business performance
The most effective organizations evaluate these tradeoffs together rather than making isolated packaging decisions.
Ready to Apply These Concepts to Your Business?
The LinkedIn Live provides the framework.
The next step is determining how those ideas apply to your packaging portfolio.
That’s why Strategic Packaging Partners created the Source Reduction Readiness Workshop™.
During this private 90-minute working session, SPP works directly with your team to:
- Review your current packaging portfolio
- Discuss your business objectives
- Identify practical source reduction opportunities
- Evaluate SB 54 readiness
- Prioritize next steps based on your products and business goals
You’ll receive a personalized workshop summary, an Opportunity Snapshot highlighting key opportunities, and a practical roadmap to help your team move forward with confidence.
Limited-Time LinkedIn Live Offer
As a thank-you to attendees of the LinkedIn Live, Strategic Packaging Partners is offering the Source Reduction Readiness Workshop™ for $995 (regularly $1,995) for a limited time.
👉 Learn more about the Source Reduction Readiness Workshop™ here:
https://strategicpackagingpartners.com/source-reduction-readiness-workshop
Whether your organization is just beginning to explore source reduction or actively preparing for SB 54, this workshop provides practical guidance tailored to your business, not generic recommendations.
Because better packaging decisions start with understanding your opportunities.