Purpose <p>Emerging technologies are vital for transitioning to a circular economy. Regarding circular flexible plastic packaging, challenges encompass enhancing collection infrastructure, sorting, recycling, and adopting circular design principles to enable the circular use of post-consumer recyclates. However, integrating social aspects and guidance on prospective Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) remains limited. This study develops methodological strategies to address key challenges identified during a social entry-level assessment, using circular flexible plastic packaging as a case study.</p> Methods <p>The methodology is guided by the design science research approach, which follows key phases: problem identification, objective definition, solution development, demonstration, and evaluation. In this context, methodological strategies are developed as output knowledge based on problems identified through the S-LCA, which serves as input knowledge. The S-LCA process includes key steps—goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory data collection, impact assessment, and interpretation of results. The case study includes various stages of the innovative life cycle, including novel tracer-based sorting, emerging recycling technologies such as selective dissolution and/or deinking and delamination, deodorization and packaging laminate production in Europe, all integrated into a hypothetical (future) industrial system. The inventory is predominantly based on primary data, with a focus on the foreground system and nine prioritized indicators relevant to the entry-level reference scale impact assessment.</p> Results and discussion <p>This led to the compilation and development of 15 methodological strategies tailored to the assessment of emerging technologies. These include, for example, narrowing the scope, using proxy data through upscaling techniques, applying targeted normalization methods, conducting iterative data updates, and prioritizing the evaluation of processes with accessible primary data. These strategies could guide S-LCA practitioners across various industry sectors in evaluating the social performance of emerging technologies. The results of the S-LCA show the primary social hotspots as the indicator <i>Existence of a record of proof of age</i> and <i>Existence of certified environmental management system</i>. Hotspots are respectively attributed to data gaps for the supply chain and the resource constraints of small and medium enterprises.</p> Conclusion <p>In conclusion, the study shows that S-LCA of emerging technologies faces specific challenges, particularly limited data availability and complex value chains, requiring systematic strategies, including input from experienced stakeholders, to estimate social effects of integrating novel technologies. Future studies across diverse sectors can help validate, refine, and expand these approaches to strengthen their broader applicability and contribute to the development of a methodological framework for prospective S-LCA.</p>