A business meeting with a person pointing to a computer screen.

Packaging companies are eligible for a new competition that would give access to decision-makers at the world’s largest retailer. | chainarong06/Shutterstock

The U.S. Plastics Pact has launched a competition with prizes potentially more valuable than one-time cash awards: namely, serious conversations with Walmart’s private label packaging leaders.

The U.S. Plastics Pact, an organization founded by The Recycling Partnership and the World Wildlife Fund, has partnered with Walmart’s Circular Connector for the competition.

Launched in April, the Circular Connector is an online tool that packaging producers use to pitch their recyclable plastic packaging to the world’s largest retailer.

The U.S. Plastics Pact is backed by dozens of consumer goods brand owners, material producers, recycling groups and companies and others, including Walmart. The pact’s goals include eliminating problematic and unnecessary packaging and ensuring 100% of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

Through the new collaboration, packaging companies can submit to the competition in the recyclable packaging, reuse/refill systems and compostable packaging categories. According to a press release, the winners will receive manufacturing trial discussions with the potential to pilot a project with Walmart, four 30-minute mentoring sessions with Walmart private label packaging teams, promotion through U.S. Plastics Pact channels, a technology showcase with procurement and technology staff from companies supporting the pact, and a chance to be featured on the Sustainable Packaging podcast.

Additionally, all applicants that submit before Aug. 12, 2022, will be considered for a U.S. Plastics Pact Packaging Innovation Award.

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