Amazon, Walmart seek source reduction solutions from suppliers

Amazon-led collaboration with Walmart, Target and CVS through the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s Retailer Forum is seeking supplier innovations to reduce packaging source waste. Retailers convened April 22–23 to prioritize solutions (initially flexible films) and are now soliciting R&D submissions for lightweight containers, bottles and closures through July 10, 2026. The initiative aims to standardize retailer requirements (including California SB 343/SB 54 compliance and a push toward a 30% plastic recycling rate by 2028), improve supplier-to-retailer product fit, and speed scalable, cost-competitive alternatives that run on existing production assets. Market impact is likely concentrated on private-label suppliers and packaging manufacturers, potentially shifting procurement demand toward compliant, lightweight materials and benefitting vendors that can scale recyclable or low-virgin-content solutions.