The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) has officially confirmed that 6 September will be recognised globally as World Packaging Day, marking a new annual moment for industry, academia and society to spotlight packaging’s role in modern life.

The announcement, set out in WPO’s latest release, positions the day as a coordinated worldwide celebration aligned to the anniversary of the organisation’s foundation.

The WPO describes the initiative as “a global call to raise awareness of packaging as a strategic enabler of our modern life in society”, emphasising its importance in feeding, supplying and protecting more than eight billion people worldwide. The organisation says the day will serve as a platform to elevate packaging’s contribution to safety, efficiency, sustainability and economic growth.

Luciana Pellegrino, WPO president, underscored packaging’s central role across global supply chains, stating: “Packaging is present in every aspect of our daily lives… reducing losses and waste, enhancing sustainability in consumption, and most of all, safe and convenient access to goods for better quality of life for society.” She added that packaging delivers “economic, social and environmental positive impact in our modern life in society.”

Rather than a single flagship event, World Packaging Day will be structured as a decentralised, collaborative celebration. WPO members and stakeholders worldwide will be encouraged to host local initiatives — from factory tours and innovation showcases to educational programmes, sustainability projects and student activities — all unified under the global hashtag #worldpackagingday.

The organisation has outlined four strategic themes to guide annual activity:

1. Packaging for Progress — highlighting contributions to health, safety and quality of life.
2. Packaging Against Food Waste — demonstrating how packaging protects food and extends shelf life.
3. Packaging and Economic Growth — showcasing its role in logistics, manufacturing, exports and trade.
4. Packaging and Sustainability — promoting circularity, eco‑design and responsible consumption.

Soha Atallah, WPO vice president for marketing, confirmed that the inaugural celebration will be supported by a coordinated global communications campaign, noting: “The inaugural celebration will take place around September 6, 2026, with activities organised by WPO’s Board Members and stakeholders across the global packaging ecosystem.”

The concept was developed with support from WPO’s Italian member, Istituto Italiano Imballaggio, and features a logo designed by Brazilian designer Giovanni Vannucchi.

With the first celebration taking place 6 September, the packaging sector is preparing to use the day as a springboard for innovation, collaboration and public engagement — reinforcing WPO’s mission of “better quality of life through better packaging for more people.”

For more information on WPO World Packaging Day, visit https://www.worldpackaging.org/WPD/