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Agenda

The Sustainability in Packaging US 2024 agenda is here!

Beginning in the afternoon on Wednesday, March 6, Sustainability in Packaging US 2024 will kick-off with three pre-conference workshops followed by two exciting days of general sessions on March 7 - 8. Hear from representatives from across the supply chain, and extend your learnings by choosing a ticket will all three workshops included!

Meet the speakers from Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., The Recycling Partnership, TetraPak, Fibre Box Association (FBA), Can Manufacturers Institute, Landsberg Orora, Casper, Smithers, ERT, Lorax, CalRecycle, Huhtamaki, and more!

Add the three workshops for just $400! Decide which workshop to attend in person, and access presentations and videos from the other two after the event. Featuring experts from Starbucks, Steptoe & Johnson, P&G, Sonoco, Cruz Foam, EFI, Munchkin, ALPLA INC., Carton Council of North America, Tetra Pak, Interact Boulder, Carbon Better, Lifecycles, Zacros America, University of Michigan, ORBIS Corporation, Plastic Ingenuity, American Forest & Paper Association, The Aluminum Association, Plastics Industry Association, Strategic Materials, Mango Materials, Turn, erthos, RRS, and more!


 
< Design for Consumer Centric Packaging >
< Workshop Description >
This workshop will cover design for consumer centric packaging, innovation, circularity etc.
Opening Presentations
Closing the Information Gap
Many companies recognize the information gap that exists in the public and the importance of providing accurate information to help facilitate the transition to a circular economy. The question is, how? As a recycler and leader in providing innovative solutions for plastic packaging, ALPLA, has chosen to raise people’s awareness on how to use plastic responsibly as a valuable material through a global communication’s project called aVoice. As a B2B supplier that doesn’t directly engage consumers, we have entered new territory. As part of the project, ALPLA North America launched a website called Plastic Reimagined, along with two social media accounts to provide timely content on topics like recycling, policy, waste, pollution, and greenhouse gases, to name a few. By providing information in a simple and engaging way, ALPLA hopes to reduce consumer confusion about the life cycle of plastics. Additionally, people who engage with the content can learn how to easily incorporate sustainability into their lives with confidence. This presentation will provide the audience with some of the thinking that went behind Plastic Reimagined and the associated media sharing networks along with examples of content provided to users, steps taken to increase followers and challenges encountered. From this we hope that other companies will feel inspired to directly engage the public to close the information gap, regardless of where they are on the supply chain.

Additional Presenter: Chivvaun Smith, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, ALPLA North America
Billy Rice | Sustainability Manager, ALPLA
Understanding Consumer Recycling Behavior
What is the number one influence on consumers to recycle? This was the question Carton Council of North America wanted to better understand in their efforts to increase the carton recycling rate across the United States. So, the industry association commissioned a study to look at the behavior behind consumer recycling practices to better understand how people make decisions and what behavior changes could be made to improve recycling. Seven key findings were identified and will prove valuable across packaging formats. Learn how packaging companies can translate these findings into effective messaging their brands can use to inspire more consumers to recycle.
Jason Pelz | Vice President of Sustainability, Tetra Pak
Panel: The Plastics Conundrum: Engaging Gen Z to Drive Sustainable Packaging and Material Recovery in a Disrupted World
This session aims to benefit the Sustpack community by addressing the urgent need for regenerative systems amidst global challenges. We'll delve into the complexities of plastics credits, emphasizing the reduction necessary before implementation and explore the hurdles surrounding single-use plastics. By engaging with Gen Z, an educated activist generation, we'll reveal their demands for better packaging and increased access to material recovery facilities (MRFs), highlighting how their advocacy influences brand transformation. Our speakers will share data on Gen Z's attitudes towards packaging, helping brands understand the choices they must make to balance quality standards and sustainability goals. This session will inspire community members to adopt innovative, localized solutions that drive consumer behavior change, enhance brand purpose, and foster a sustainable, regenerative future.

Moderator: Valerie Hawks | Director of Production & Sustainability, Interact Boulder

Panelists Include:
  • Nicole Sullivan, Director of Climate Services, Carbon Better
  • Additional Panelists Coming Soon
Networking Break
"Recycle the Jug" Campaign - How the Dairy Industry is Advocating Recycling the Most Valuable Plastic for Recyclers!
The ubiquitous HDPE milk jug is the most desirable plastic for recyclers across the USA because of the revenue received after collection, sorting and selling.  CMAB (California Milk Advisory Board) and MilkPep (National Milk Processor Education Program) invested in developing partnerships and a communication strategy focused on California consumers and citizens with the Recycle the Jug campaign which included radio spots, bi-lingual website, social media influencers and communication with retailers and milk processors.  Roger Zellner of Rogue Zebra Consulting will share how the strategy and partnerships evolved in helping the dairy industry take a leadership role to advocate recycling of the milk jug with the long term goal to make it national. He will share the huge opportunity and the multitude of challenges with understanding, education and alignment with the broad range of stakeholders that the humble HDPE milk jug is the gold plastic nugget for recyclers who really are investing in new equipment and technology to  capture as many of the very profitable milk jugs as possible.
Roger Zellner | Owner, Rogue Zebra Consulting
Around the World in 120 Minutes – Regulatory Updates for Global Sustainable Packaging, Part One
Best Practices for Developing a Sustainability Compliance Program for Packaging
Companies are under growing pressure to comply with sustainability-focused laws for packaging, including laws restricting use of recyclable and compostable claims for packaging, EPR schemes, and recycled-content mandates, among others.  This presentation will provide an overview of some of these key laws, highlight how these laws intersect, and propose best practices for developing compliance programs.
Joseph Dages | Associate, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Working Together to Create a Circular Economy for Paper and Packaging
Circular Action Alliance representative coming soon
How to Create a Global Harmonized Method for Quantifying Environmental Impacts
Tim has just come back from Copenhagen where he’s been working on ‘GLAM’ a Life Cycle Initiative hosted by the UN Environment Programme. This is a really important/exciting development in sustainability as they’re developing standardized and globally harmonized method for quantifying Life cycle environmental impacts on human health, ecosystems and natural resources.
This will change how we measure sustainability, and therefore heavily impact brands and the way they choose their packaging strategy.
This is to launch early 2024.
Tim Grant | Director, PIQET (owned by Lifecycles)
Straight Talk into Sustainability - What we can Learn from the Sustainable Packaging Success Story of the Japanese Market
Sustainability in packaging has been a significant movement for some time, while other countries have already adopted it long before the US market. A refill pouch in Japan is an excellent example of how sustainability in packaging has advanced and evolved. Japan introduced refill pouches for home and personal care products in the late 1990s to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Japan successfully reduced over 40% of home and personal care plastic packaging in the last 25 years. Why is the US market stagnant in adopting refillable and reusable packaging? ZACROS is one of Japan's leading pouch manufacturers that has developed a refill culture together with brand owners and other suppliers. From our experience and expertise, this session discusses the key findings from the success in the Japanese market and the opportunities and challenges US brands face with refillable packaging solutions.
John Patterson | Business Development Manager, Zacros America
Welcome Evening Reception
Welcome Evening Reception at Acebounce
Sponsored By
< Reuse, Refill and the Future of Consumer Behavior >
< Workshop Description >
This workshop will highlight reuse and refill options as well as address the consumer behavior outlook. Do we push consumers to change their behaviors? Or do we wait until they are willing to accept reuse and refill options? The issue with consumer acceptance seems to be that there is not enough implemented solutions in retail, convenience stores, collection, etc. What does the future hold for reuse and refill for consumers?
Opening Presentations
Measuring the Environmental Performance of Restaurant Reusable vs Single-use Takeout Container Systems
Reusable packaging is one sustainable solution that may have the potential to reduce plastic waste in the restaurant takeaway sector. Returnable systems are the leading reusable implementation strategy in this sector where the container is owned by the restaurants or system operators and temporarily loaned out to customers who are then responsible for returning the container. These systems result in greater complexity and require attention to program design parameters to ensure environmental benefits are realized. We modeled and compared a variety of container materials and takeout/return scenarios to identify system parameters, such as container reuse rates, that can significantly influence environmental performance. Through our research, we highlight the importance of consumer behavior as a driver of environmental performance. Centralized washing systems also have the potential to increase accessibility to a city-scale cooperative reusable system. In our most recent work, we evaluated the performance of a centralized system against a distributed washing system.
Christian Hitt | Research Specialist, University of Michigan, Center for Sustainable Systems
Learnings from Reusable Cup Tests
Starbucks representative coming soon
Workshop Cont’d - Topic: Navigating Supply Chain Disruption
Measuring the Environmental Impacts of Reusable Packaging in the Circular Economy, using Packaging Life-Cycle Assessment (PLCA) Data
As companies drive supply chain sustainability and efficiency, they scrutinize their entire network, including packaging, for opportunities to reduce their impact on the environment and cut waste throughout their operations. Many leading companies today have ESG and sustainability scorecards that measure their environmental impacts. A standardized method to analyze packaging helps companies measure and document performance against these metrics.
Reusable packaging provides an effective method to handle, store and move product in the supply chain and can also reduce a company’s environmental impact, in terms of solid waste, water, energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
Packaging Life Cycle Assessment (PLCA) involves the study of how packaging impacts the environment, from raw material to end-of-life. LCA takes a cradle-to-grave life approach, from raw material extraction to make the product, to its disposal or recycling plan at the end of its useful life. It is critical to use life-cycle data to accurately compare and evaluate reusable packaging to single-use packaging within the supply chain.
Thomas Estock | Director of Sustainability, ORBIS Corporation
Cellulose films for future food packaging applications
Single-use bags, plastic bottles, food containers and food wrappers are the four most widespread items polluting the seas, making up almost half of human-made waste. The see-through plastic film has been used in global food packaging, such as bread and candy, for decades to protect food and minimise waste. However, thin plastic films are difficult to recycle because they are made of multiple plastic layers, making them difficult to separate. Because of this, they usually end up in landfills, or in the worst case, in nature after use. These environmental concerns coupled with legislative efforts are driving factors to evaluate cellulose-based material alternatives to plastics.
 
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is working on a novel technology to produce transparent films from dissolved cellulose. This is based on an alternative dissolving and regeneration technology that is more environmentally friendly compared to cellophane production.
The novel technology applies improved rheology control enabling enhanced film properties, wider raw material selection, and improved recyclability. VTT has launched a major material and application development project and pilot equipment for technology demonstration in Espoo, Finland. The pilot facility is ready to scale up the production methods of renewable cellulose films. With the pilot facility, VTT aims to further accelerate sustainable packaging options in the food industry by developing new material solutions that meet customers’ needs. The facility’s goal is to develop easily recyclable cellulose-based film-like materials for food packaging and bio-based barrier materials for films, paper, and cardboard.
Vinay Kumar | Research Team Leader & Project Manager (IPMA-C), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Networking Break
Panel: Applying Multiple Factors into Packaging and Product
This panel will cover topics such as reducing packaging materials, supply chain impact on packaging design, working towards more sustainable packaging, tackling recycling and understanding the consumer.

Moderator: TBD
 
Panelists:
  • Alyssa O'Halloran, Senior Packaging Engineer, Munchkin
  • Zach Muscato, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Plastic Ingenuity
  • Jessie Franco, Packaging Engineer, Dr. Bronner's
  • Alex Hagedorn, PhD, Principal Design Engineer – Packaging, GE Appliances a Haier Company
EFI Presentation
Digital printing is a sustainable option for marking and decorating corrugated packaging and displays.  To substantiate and quantify, EFI has developed a LCA model and tool that calculates total environmental impact of digital printing on corrugated and then compares it to other printing technologies.
Kerry Sanders | VP Market Development, EFI
Panel: Which Material is the Best for Different Products?
This panel will bring together representatives from the glass, paper, plastic, and aluminum industries and discuss:
  • Messaging challenges/opportunities
  • Policy challenges, dealing with negative press, communications, advocacy
  • Policy advocacy challenges/opportunities  
  • Recycling challenges/opportunities  
Moderator: TBD

Panelists:
  • Terry Webber, Vice President, Industry Affairs, American Forest & Paper Association
  • Nadya Ally, Sustainability Director, The Aluminum Association
  • Laura Hennemann, SVP, Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Strategic Materials and Executive Board Member, Glass Recycling Foundation
  • Patrick Krieger, VP of Sustainability, Plastics Industry Association
Welcome Evening Reception
Welcome Evening Reception at Acebounce
Sponsored By
< Startup and Innovative Packaging Showcase >
< Workshop Description >
This workshop will highlight alternative fibers, startup sustainable companies, reusable platforms, up and coming trends, packaging alternatives in e-commerce, fashion, food & beverage and beyond.
Opening Presentations
Swaying the Future with Scaled Seaweed Packaging
What if plastic could evolve from a ubiquitous threat into a material with the capacity to restore the planet? By now, many have heard of innovative materials created from microbes, shrimp shells, agricultural waste, seaweed, and other biobased resources. There’s immense potential to shift our petroplastic packaging systems towards renewable, and even regenerative, solutions. But what will it take to scale these materials to effectively compete with plastic? In this talk, Sway co-founder and CEO Julia Marsh will share how her company is designing home compostable seaweed packaging, the lessons they have learned in bringing it to the world, and what next-generation material companies want brands to know. 
Julia Marsh | CEO and Co-Founder, Sway
Biomaterials: Revolutionizing Global Sustainability Through Inclusive Circular Solutions
Join us to explore how next-gen biomaterials lead the charge in creating a global circular environment. Learn how these innovative materials surpass traditional paper and recyclable products and redefine sustainability by offering a closed-loop solution that minimizes waste, conserves resources, and paves the way for a greener future in sustainable packaging.
  • Compostable vs. Recycling: Explain the concept of compostable products as an alternative to recycling globally, especially in regions with limited recycling facilities.
  • Global Environmental Impact: Highlight how compostable products, when properly disposed of in composting systems, can reduce the burden on landfills and lower the overall environmental impact.
  • Landfill Overflow: Discuss the challenges countries face without efficient recycling infrastructure, where recyclable products often end up in overflowing landfills.
  • Composting as a Solution with erthos’ Material: Showcase how composting allows organic materials like our compostable products to break down naturally, offering a more sustainable waste management solution.
  • Global Sustainability: Emphasize the global significance of adopting compostable products, as they can alleviate landfill issues and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future, even in regions facing recycling challenges.

Nuha Siddiqui | CEO and Co-Founder, erthos
Presentation to be Announced
Cruz Foam Presentation
More information coming soon
John Felts | Co-founder & CEO, Cruz Foam
Mushroom Packaging – Ecovative Design Presentation
Why the World's Largest Brands are Investing in Reuse
Abstract coming soon
Ryan Everton | Founder, Turn
Mango Materials Presentation
Revolutionizing Sustainability and Efficiency: Unveiling the IndES Elastic Staple System for Substantial Single-Use Plastic Reduction and Cost Savings in Packaging
Explore the cutting-edge IndES Elastic Staple System as a beacon of sustainable packaging excellence. This groundbreaking solution outshines conventional options like clam shells, blister packs, plastic cable ties, and paper twist ties by delivering remarkable reductions in water and energy consumption, solid waste production, and CO2 emissions. Uncover the substantial cost savings achieved through diminished material expenses and enhanced production throughput, making the IndES system a game-changer for industries across the board. Discover the limitless possibilities for technology utilization and learn how Avery Dennison can empower you to meet your sustainability and cost-saving objectives. Join us to witness the future of eco-friendly packaging and economic efficiency.
Ram Ramakrishnan | Avery Dennison
Networking Break + Show and Tell
Panel: Collaborating toward Sustainable Packaging Success
The Poly Coated Paper Alliance launched in 2023 with the defined goal of collaborating toward the end goal of widespread end-market acceptance for poly coated paper materials. To achieve this goal, the PCPA has outlined 5 essential workstreams that focus on key problem areas in the recycling chain. Each workstream has individual program plan steps, strategic initiatives, and targeted outcomes as listed below. Since the launch, we've worked together on material definitions and focusing on the data we will need to move poly coated paper toward increased end markets and becoming widely recycled. Sustainable Packaging in the US would be a great opportunity to present the work of Poly Coated Paper Alliance one year later and spreading the word about the progress that could be made through collaboration.
  • The Poly Coated Paper Alliance was founded this year to build a platform for the industry to collaborate toward the end goal of widespread end-market acceptance, universal adoption of design guidelines, seeking upgraded ISRI specs, and documented flow and recovery of poly coated paper.
  • The PCPA developed a material list and packaging type that will be researched by PCPA and included in our database.
  • The PCPA narrowed down the packaging attributes that will be included in the PCPA research.
  • The PCPA is currently preparing specific survey and interview questions, strategy, and issue-framing language for an outreach survey to mills and end markets. 
Moderator: Samantha Kappalman, Senior Consultant, RRS
 
Panelists include:
  • Shannon Moore, Director, Global Packaging Sustainability, Kellanova (formerly Kellogg's)
  • Ashley Elzing, Director, Sustainability & Outreach, FPI
  • Scott Byrne, Director, Global Sustainability Services, Sonoco
  • Amber Barron, Sustainable Materials Engineer, P&G
  • Jason Pelz, Vice President of Sustainability, Tetra Pak and Vice President of Recycling Projects, Carton Council of North America
Magnetizable Inks for Recyclable Packaging
Magnomer is a materials startup introducing a patented magnetizable coatings technology (Magmark) to impart sortability features for recyclable packaging. Magmark coatings are printed using industry standard techniques as a transparent varnish to impart magnetization on flexible films such as bottle labels. This complements widely used magnetic separators in plastics recycling to economically separate problematic labels. Magnomer's coatings technology is a packaging design tool used to resolve long standing sorting issues in package recycling such as label contamination. Magnomer has received industry recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) on the basis of a first ever commercial scale recyclability test of shrink labelled bottles.
Ravish Majithia | Founder & CEO, Magnomer
Turning Plants into Plastics to Defossilize our Everyday Products
Renewable feedstocks that tackle our CO2-emissions, or better absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, are prompted to fill the gap between ever-growing plastic demand and the limited available recycled plastic supply. Supporting this, Avantium and Origin Materials have partnered to provide the industry with two 100% bio-based and recyclable high performance polyesters: Biobased PET and PEF. Where bio-PET is an immediate sustainable drop-in for fossil-based PET, PEF has the advantage of superior barrier performance and can be recycled in existing PET assets. PEF can be identified with NIR sorting technologies enabling PEF to PEF recycling at industrial scale. At the same time, Avantium’s PEF has interim endorsement by the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) to enter the EU PET bottle recycling stream. In the United States, Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) has formally recognized the recyclability of Avantium’s PEF multilayer bottles containing up to 10% of PEF in the clear PET recycling stream. As two leading sustainable materials companies, Avantium and Origin Materials have complementary technologies, partnerships and business models to defossilize the chemical industry.
Bineke Posthumus | Director Business Development, Avantium
Welcome Evening Reception
Welcome Evening Reception at Acebounce
Sponsored By
Registration and Welcome Breakfast
Registration Table Opens
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Brittany Onslow | Conference Producer, Smithers

Set the Stage Sponsor
Sustainable Packaging Podcast: Collaborations, Future Partnerships and Opportunities
A look into sustainable packaging from three different industries, Cory Connors will ask the questions: what value have collaborations brought to your company achieving your sustainability goals? How can future partnerships help further sustainability overall? Where would you say are the biggest opportunities for the packaging industry?

Host and Moderator: Cory Connors, Sustainable Packaging Podcast and Director of Sustainable Packaging, Landsberg Orora

Cody Stanton, Packaging and Digital Product Management, Casper 
Mattresses in general are not an easy item to ship. Coming up with sustainable packaging for large items to ship and repack, can prove to be quite difficult. What did the packaging journey and design look like for Casper? What can other companies with large DTC items learn from Casper’s packaging?
Cory Connors | Director of Sustainable Packaging, Orora Packaging Solutions
Session I: Industry Trends, Consumer Insights and Innovation Around the World
Sustainable Packaging: Are Consumers Buying It?
Since 2018/19, virtually all of the major Consumer Packaging Goods (CPG) companies have announced goals and initiatives to make their product packaging more sustainable. Many media reports suggest that consumers are demanding more sustainable products. 
This presentation begins with a short summary of goals and progress among some of the largest CPG companies and then reviews a series of studies that show where consumers are at in terms of interest in sustainable packaging and willingness to make changes to their purchasing habits. Research conducted by the author is discussed as well as a number of other studies by well-known consulting firms and research companies. 
Research with US consumers shows that interest in sustainable packaging has grown significantly since 2020, and that a substantial percentage would consider buying paper instead of plastic in specific product categories. Yet consumers don’t differentiate between different types of sustainable packaging – they aren’t sure whether made with recycled materials, recyclable, or compostable is better. Products with sustainability claims on pack have averaged higher growth rates than those without in recent years. Yet there are so many different ‘eco-claim’s’ that consumers are confused by the choices and are concerned that some claims are greenwashing.
The presentation shows that some consumers will pay more for sustainable packaging but that a substantial percentage are not willing or able to pay more. One of the greatest barriers to shopping more sustainably is the cost of more sustainable products. The presentation wraps up by showing the results of two segmentations of the consumer market, one from Europe and one from the US. Both have very similar findings and show there is a segment of consumers who may be called “Eco-Actives” or “Activists”. This segment may well be influencing corporate sustainability goals, but it is important to recognize that this is a small segment, not the entire market, and there are substantial segments who may not be on board for sustainable packaging.
Susan Cornish | Principal Consultant, Insight + Action
The Future of Sustainable Packaging Long Term Strategic Forecast to 2032
Embracing transformation – why a life cycle perspective (only) is key to win the future
Speaker TBD, Constantia Flexibles
Evolving demands for packaging materials need a full scope view. Life cycle assessments (LCA) are a key basis to understand environmental impacts and identify more sustainable solutions. Showcasing Constantia Flexibles’ 360 degree approach and in-house LCA model, we discuss how requirements for sustainability and functionality can be met in flexible packaging
Networking Break and Coffee – Sponsored by Tetrapak
Sponsored by
Session II: Collaboration and Partnerships Around the World
Partnership Case Study
More information coming soon
Session III: Sustainable Retailers
Panel: Sustainable Retailers – Applying Sustainability
This panel will address packaging, recycling, carbon emissions and more. How are retailers maintaining sustainable supply chains? What sustainability initiatives are implemented? How are you educating your consumers on these initiatives?

Panelists coming soon
Networking Lunch Sponsored by Kuraray
Sponsorsed by
ORBIS
Session IV: Global Plastics Treaty and the future of the circular economy
Panel & Presentation: Policy in Practice, Plastics Treaty Update
Policy in Practice - Willemijn Peeters, CEO and Founder, Searious Business
The world waits to see what will be contained in the UN Global Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution. Whatever ambitions are set, the methods are unlikely to be prescriptive. It will be left to national governments and private-sector businesses to identify the technical solutions, invest in and build the infrastructure needed to support its execution. Which is why we created EPPIC – The End of Plastic Pollution International Collaborative together with the US State Dept, convening stakeholders across the plastic value chain. We’d like to introduce EPPIC and talk about how the Plastics Treaty could affect the packaging sector and sustainability across the world and how they can get involved in supporting a just transition to a circular plastic economy.

Panel: Plastics Treaty Update

Panelists:
  • Felipe Victoria, Senior Manager for International Policy, Ocean Conservancy
  • Axel Darut, Public Affairs Associate - Circular economy policies, Minderoo Foundation

Willemijn Peeters | CEO & Founder, Searious Business
Panel: Explaining Claims and Further Education around Advanced Recycling
This panel will address how brands approach/explain claims with advanced recycling and better understanding how they can help with education to consumers as well as the industry.

Moderator: Suzanne Shelton, CEO, Shelton Group 

Panelists:
  • Robert Cotton, R&D Director of Sustainable Packaging Commercialization, PepsiCo Global Snacks
  • Christiane Waldron, Head of Business Development, Neste
  • More panelists coming soon
Networking Break
Session V: Technology and Sustainability – How does material use and technology play into sustainable packaging?
< Session Description >
This session will cover food packaging, bioplastics, compostable packaging and more.
Compostable Bioplastic Gains Momentum in Brazil's Food Packaging Industry
The use of compostable bioplastic packaging in food production lines has gained traction in Brazil, with some early adopters and success cases, which will be presented by ERT´s CEO, Kim Gurtensten Fabri.
One notable example is stand-up pouches, commonly multi-layered materials that can be transitioned to compostable bioplastic packaging in several applications. Other examples are delivery and supermarket thermoformed single-use packaging, significantly reducing their environmental impact. Additionally, the natural food and supplements industry has shown a substantial interest in adopting more sustainable packaging solutions that align with the brands' purpose and product offerings.
Kim Gurtensten Fabri | Presidente, Earth Renewable Technologies
How to Develop Compostable Packaging and Avoiding Greenwashing
This informative presentation will detail the do’s and don’ts of developing sustainable packing using coffee pods as an example. It will explain the four pillars of sustainability (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle & Compost) while outlining FTC green laws/claims and third-party certifications (BPI, CMA, ASTM, TÜV, How2Recycle, and Carbon Neutral). The presentation also reviews current and future state recycling and composting requirements in addition to resources/organizations that can provide support. It identifies existing and upcoming materials that can help. Participants will be able to ask questions at the end for respective relevant situations.
Michael Sands | CEO and Co-Founder, Smile Compostable Solutions
Dry Molded Fiber - Scaling up for Sustainable Change
The need for sustainable solutions to remedy the climate crisis is critical, and the impact of single-use plastic is one of today’s more significant environmental challenges. That was the starting point when PulPac developed Dry Molded Fiber – a disruptive technology for packaging solutions, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to do with cellulosic fibers.

Fiber was always the best alternative to replace single-use plastics. And using water to make fiber-based products is proven, but PulPac managed to take almost all the water out of that equation. The result is cost-effective, responsibly produced, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging with a significantly lower climate impact than alternatives.
Sanna Fager | Chief Commercial Officer, PulPac
Evening Networking Reception
Turn to be Used at Reception
Quantis will provide a custom cocktail at the reception bar! Be sure to grab one!
Session IV: Recycling, Ecosystems and MRF Involvement
Presentation to be Announced
Panel: How do we Scale up Compostable Packaging Solutions Without Wide Access to Composting?
More information coming soon

Moderator: Frank Franciosi or Cary Oshins, US Composting Council

Panelists:
  • Esteban Guzman, Cardia Bioplastics
  • Kelly Williams, Managing Director, Earthfirst
  • More panelists coming soon
Session V: Around the World in 120 Minutes – Regulatory Updates for Global Sustainable Packaging Pt. 2
< Session Description >
This session will cover regulatory updates from EPR around the world, EU PPWR and SB 54.
SB 85 Panel
This session will be focused on SB 85, the recycling refunds (i.e., beverage container deposit return system) bill that will be re-introduced in Illinois in 2024.

Moderator: TBD

Panelists include:
  • Jennifer Bogs, Director, Global Sustainability, Crown Holdings, Inc.
  • Seema Keshav, Co-Founder, Go Green Vernon Hills-Lincolnshire
  • Liz Kunkle, Zero Waste Policy Manager, Illinois Environmental Council

Scott Breen | Vice President of Sustainability, Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI)
Networking Break
The PPWR and Beyond: Implications for CPG Companies
The EU’s proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR) will have a wide-reaching impact on how goods are transported, sold and consumed. New supply chains and infrastructure systems will be needed to comply with the regulations, which will apply equally to goods produced in the EU and goods imported into the EU. This presentation examines how the PPWR departs from current regulations, its impact on CPG companies, and how companies can prepare for its entry into force.
Christl Li | Regulatory Scientist, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
Regulatory Updates – EPR
SB 54 and Single Use – How Does this Impact the Packaging Industry
Evening Networking Reception
Turn to be Used at Reception
Quantis will provide a custom cocktail at the reception bar! Be sure to grab one!
Registration and Breakfast
Registration Table Opens
Open Remarks
Brittany Onslow | Conference Producer, Smithers
Session VI: Sustainability – CSR, Emissions and Zero Waste to Landfill
<Session Description>
This session will talk about carbon emissions, zero waste, labeling and how companies are reporting on sustainability.
Keynote: What Does the Future of Reporting your Sustainable Packaging Look Like?
OurCarbon Presentation
Circularity and Scoring for Sustainability in Corrugated Packaging
The Corrugated Packaging Alliance recently completed its latest and fourth Life Cycle Assessment showing an incredible 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since the first study in 2006. The presentation will explore the critical role circularity and a long-standing commitment to sustainability play in generating meaningful improvements to combat climate change. In this session, Rachel Kenyon will present a well-rounded discussion about the latest study and what it says about the true sustainability of a corrugated box.
Rachel Kenyon | Senior Vice President, Fibre Box Association
SB 343 (Allen) Truth in Recycling – and updates to 1201
SB 343 provides “truth in labeling” to familiar recycling symbols on many plastic and packaging products. The measure prohibits the use of the chasing-arrows symbol on products that are not truly recyclable.
Nick Lapis | Director of Advocacy, Californians Against Waste
A Demonstration toward Zero Waste in a Major League Soccer stadium
In 2023, Huhtamaki announced its sponsorship of Children's Mercy Park, the stadium of Sporting Kansas City, a Major League Soccer (MLS) organization. As the official provider of sustainable packaging into the park, Huhtamaki is taking an active role in helping Sporting KC achieve its goal of being a zero waste facility by 2027. This project encompasses both recycling and composting of packaging in the front of house and back of house operations. Huhtamaki is using this as a demonstration to help others organizations understand the important elements in setting up a zero-waste program.
Michael Hodges | Vice President, Sustainability and Communications, Huhtamaki
Session VII: Trends, Industry Impact and Future Outlook
Panel: Enhancing Recycling Access for Packaging
There are packaging types that are accepted in some, but not all, U.S. recycling programs. Manufacturers and consumer brands are working to elevate the recyclability status of these packaging types. In this session, you'll learn about the approaches that the carton, polypropylene, and aerosol can industries, among others, are taking to increase acceptance in U.S. recycling programs of their packaging.
 
The need for many packaging types to increase their recycling access performance is becoming more acute as states consider setting standardized recyclable lists and as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) begins its review of what the FTC’s Green Guides define as "recyclable."
 
The activities these packaging manufacturers and consumer brands are executing to increase the access rate include Materials Recovery Facility engagement, grant opportunities, new research and data development, and improved labeling on the package. You'll hear about the goals and strategies of several packaging manufacturers, as well as what has and hasn't worked in the past and their plans for the future.

Panelists Include:
  • Jason Pelz, Vice President of Sustainability, TetraPak
  • Katherine Huded, Vice President, Circular Venture, The Recycling Partnership
  • Scott Breen, Vice President of Sustainability, Can Manufacturers Institute
Closing Remarks and Take Away Lunch
Just Salad – To Go Lunch