PUBLISHER: Grand View Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1888658
PUBLISHER: Grand View Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1888658
The global collapsible recycled plastic packaging market size was estimated at USD 9.38 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 16.11 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2033. The industry is driven by the growing emphasis on sustainability, circular economy initiatives, and the need to reduce logistics and storage costs.
In addition, rising e-commerce, retail, and industrial supply chain activities are boosting demand for reusable and space-efficient packaging solutions. Governments, corporations, and consumers are increasingly prioritizing the reduction of plastic waste and the use of recycled materials. Recycled collapsible packaging solutions, such as foldable crates, bins, and totes, align perfectly with these objectives as they minimize material waste, reduce carbon emissions, and extend product lifecycles. For instance, companies such as CHEP and ORBIS Corporation have expanded their reusable plastic container programs made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials to help clients lower their environmental footprint and achieve sustainability goals. These initiatives reflect how environmental compliance and sustainability commitments are encouraging industries to adopt collapsible recycled packaging solutions.
The surge in e-commerce and retail logistics has significantly accelerated the adoption of collapsible recycled plastic packaging due to the sector's demand for durable, reusable, and space-efficient solutions. Online retail giants such as Amazon, Walmart, and Alibaba handle millions of shipments daily, requiring packaging solutions that are both cost-effective and sustainable. Collapsible recycled plastic containers, crates, and pallets are gaining traction because they reduce volume during reverse logistics and can be reused multiple times, unlike single-use corrugated or stretch-wrapped alternatives. This not only helps reduce operational costs but also aligns with the sustainability mandates increasingly emphasized in e-commerce supply chains. The rapid expansion of e-commerce sales further underscores this trend. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. retail e-commerce sales reached USD 304.2 billion in the second quarter of 2025, marking a 1.4% increase from the first quarter and accounting for 16.3% of total retail sales.
In retail logistics, space optimization is critical. Collapsible packaging allows retailers to transport and store goods efficiently by minimizing the volume of empty packaging on return trips. For instance, collapsible plastic crates can reduce storage space by up to 70% when folded, enabling companies to save significantly on warehousing and transportation costs. Retail chains such as Carrefour and Tesco have already incorporated reusable collapsible crates and bins in their distribution centers to handle fresh produce and other fast-moving goods. In Europe, where the e-commerce sector continues to expand despite macroeconomic challenges, the European E-commerce Report 2024 reveals that online retail sales reached USD 965.8 billion in 2023, a 3% increase over 2022. This steady growth, particularly in Southern (14%) and Eastern Europe (15%), reinforces the need for efficient and sustainable packaging systems such as collapsible recycled plastics that can support regional fulfillment networks and cross-border logistics.
The rapid adoption of Returnable Transport Systems (RTS) and pooling models has emerged as a key driver for the growth of the collapsible recycled plastic packaging industry. As global supply chains evolve toward circularity and efficiency, manufacturers, retailers, and logistics providers are seeking packaging solutions that can be reused multiple times without compromising product protection or performance. Collapsible recycled plastic containers, crates, bins, and pallets are ideal for RTS frameworks, as they can be folded flat when empty, reducing backhaul costs and storage space. These systems are gaining traction in industries such as food & beverage, automotive, retail, and pharmaceuticals, where repeated distribution cycles make reusability both environmentally and economically advantageous.
Global Collapsible Recycled Plastic Packaging Market Report Segmentation
This report forecasts revenue growth at a global level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global collapsible recycled plastic packaging market report based on material, product, end use, and region: