CHICAGO—  The push to reduce single-use plastics in packaging has gained momentum as companies respond to growing pressure from legislation, corporate sustainability goals, and shifting consumer preferences. Companies are moving towards alternatives like paper-based packaging, yet there are both benefits and challenges to this transition, particularly around recyclability.Governments and organizations worldwide are enacting legislation to reduce plastic waste, driven by the environmental impact of single-use plastics, which contribute to pollution, climate change, and harm to wildlife. For example, recent U.S. policies aim to limit plastic pollution, reflecting a broader trend of regulatory action against single-use plastics. Corporations are also setting ambitious sustainability targets, with many committing to reducing or eliminating plastic in their packaging. Giants like Nestlé, Unilever, Procter & Gamble and L’Oréal have all recently switched to paper packaging for various lines of cosmetics and food items, or removed plastics from current paper packages. Consumer demand plays a critical role here; Two Sides North America research indicates that 55% of consumers would prefer to buy from brands that remove plastic from their packaging.