North America Single-use Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

North America Single-use Packaging Market Analysis

The North America Single-use Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 8.22 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 10.73 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.99% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The demand for single-use packaging that is smaller and convenient to use, as well as the need for a strong visual impact, are expected to lead to an increase in single-use packaging in North America over the forecast period. Single-use packaging refers to products used only once and then discarded or recycled. Single-use packaging includes plastic bags, single-use straws, trays, boxes, plates, coffee stirrers and bottles, soda and water containers, and most food packaging.

• The North American single-use packaging industry is growing steadily, as it has successfully implemented solutions for several packaging innovations it faced. The North American landscape is characterized by the popularity of single-use plastics in the United States and Canada. Owing to the cost-efficiency and variety of single-use plastic usage, these countries have adopted single-use plastics in many end-user industry applications.
• The pharmaceutical sector has been a significant contributor to the growth of the single-use plastic packaging market in the United States. Medical items, such as medical supplies, needles, and pharmaceuticals, are often packaged in plastic packaging because they reduce the risk of contamination, thus safeguarding end-users' interests. Additionally, the single-use beverage packaging market is expected to grow due to the increasing production of different package sizes to accommodate the rising demand for bottled beverages, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, as well as ready-to-drink beverages and milk.
• Among the primary drivers for growth in the market are the increasing demand for e-commerce and online sales-driven food delivery services and the utilization of disposable packaging that provides greater convenience and effectiveness. Despite its environmental impact, disposable packaging is still widely used due to its lightweight and resilient properties compared to other materials.
• In the United States, there are currently no regulations restricting single-use plastics on the federal level. However, many states and cities have enacted or are planning to introduce acts to regulate the consumption of single-use plastics, such as shopping and grocery bags, plastic straws, styrofoam utensils, and food and beverage containers.
• Moreover, the post-pandemic trends have increased the use of online food delivery applications, increasing the application of single-use plastic packaging products amid the hygienic concerns regarding reusable packaging, thus positively impacting the market.
• According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Russia-Ukraine Conflict restricted food exports from Ukraine and Russia and increased the prices of these commodities. The rising cost of packaging materials and items has resulted in a decline in profit across the supply chain.

North America Single-use Packaging Industry Segmentation

Single-use packaging is a type of packaging that is intended for single-use and then for disposal only. Plastic is the most widely used material in packaging and medical applications due to its versatility, ease of production, safety, sterility, and cost-effectiveness, followed by paper. Single-use plastic packaging includes grocery bags, cardboard boxes, bottles, food containers, straws, coffee stirrers, disposable cups, and disposable cutlery.

The North American single-use packaging market is segmented by material type (paper and paperboard, plastic, and glass), by end-user vertical (food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, and other end users), and by country (United States, Canada). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value in USD for all the above segments.