Crazy About Packaging: Conversations with the C.A.P. Pack

• Season 3, Episode 2: What Do Sustainability Buzzwords Actually Mean?

  🌱 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — are joined by Paige Greenberg, Sustainable Packaging Engineer at Plastic Ingenuity, to break down one of the most overused (and misunderstood) parts of packaging today: sustainability buzzwords.We’re talking about those words we see everywhere — recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, circular, reusable — and digging into what they actually mean, how they’re misused, and why it matters.🔍 Tune in to explore:The differences between biodegradable, compostable, and oxo-degradable (yes, there’s a big one)What “circularity” really looks likeHow reuse systems can fall short without infrastructure and consumer buy-inWhy terms like “sustainable” are values-driven, and how that shapes strategyWhat manufacturers and brands can do to bring clarity instead of confusion🎯 If your team is trying to make smart, sustainable packaging choices — or just trying to understand what all these labels mean — this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and drop us a note at [email protected] with any packaging buzzwords you want us to tackle next. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming. We’ll see you in the next episode!

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• Season 3, Episode 1: The Blunder Years: Exploring Some of Packaging's Greatest Misses

  Crazy About Packaging: Season 3, Episode 1 – The Blunder Years💥Welcome back to a new season of Crazy About Packaging! In our Season 3 premiere, the CAP Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — take a look back at some of the biggest packaging fails we’ve seen (and a few we’ve personally been part of).From melted PLA containers to packaging you need scissors to open, this episode is full of real-world examples of what happens when good ideas miss the mark. And more importantly, what we can learn from them.🔍 Tune in to explore:What went wrong with some of the most infamous packaging fails in recent yearsWhy well-intentioned “sustainability” moves can create new problems for consumersReal stories from the CAP Pack’s past projects, from nacho cheese disasters to melted prototypesThe small details that make or break a package once it hits the real world🎯 If you’ve ever had a packaging concept fall apart in testing (or worse, in-market), you’re not alone. This episode is packed with cautionary tales and a few laughs, and it just might help you avoid your own blunder.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Join the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram, and email us your packaging fail stories at [email protected]. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

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• Season 2, Episode 12: Standardizing Recycling in a Fragmented System

  ♻️ In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, we’re joined by Nyssa Thongthai, Senior Project Manager at How2Recycle, to talk about one of the most confusing areas in packaging today: recycling. Why is it so difficult to know what can be recycled — and what’s actually being done to fix the problem?Nyssa shares her technical expertise from over a decade in polymer development and sustainable packaging assessment, and helps us understand why recycling rules vary so much, what How2Recycle really evaluates, and how we can move toward a more consistent, functional system.🎧 This episode, get clarity on real-world recycling issues like:Why recycling isn’t the same in every city — and what that means for packaging designers and consumersHow outdated recycling facilities limit what gets accepted, even if the material is recyclable elsewhereThe five criteria How2Recycle uses to determine whether packaging is recyclable in practice — not just in theoryWhat it will take to shift from a fragmented system to one that works for consumers, brands, and recyclersWhy designing packaging for recyclability from the start is the most effective fix🧠 You’ll also hear why even packaging experts second-guess recycling labels, and how consumer awareness is helping drive the industry forward. Nyssa breaks down the system piece by piece and shares practical insights for building packaging that actually gets recycled.🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram. Subscribe to stay up to date on the latest packaging insights and industry voices!

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• Season 2, Episode 11: Debunking 10 Common Packaging Myths

  In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack take aim at one of the biggest sources of confusion in the industry: packaging misinformation.From dramatic headlines to misquoted studies, there’s no shortage of bad information floating around. This episode takes on 10 of the most common myths about plastics and sustainability (and explains what’s actually true).This isn’t about defending poor design or pretending everything’s working fine. It’s about getting clear on the facts, so teams can make better decisions without getting sidetracked by noise.🔍 Tune in to explore:Why “all plastic is bad” is an oversimplification that misses the real storyHow alternative materials like glass and paper may create more problems than they solveWhat “biodegradable” actually means, and why it doesn’t always helpThe truth about recycling: where it works, where it doesn’t, and why that’s changingHow shifting the blame to plastic distracts from the real issue — infrastructure and behavior🎯 Whether you're new to packaging or deep in the sustainability weeds, this episode breaks down the myths that keep teams stuck and gives you the clarity to move forward.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Join the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram, and email us your questions at [email protected]. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

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• Season 2, Episode 10: What It Really Takes to Replace Packaging Material

  📦 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — dive into one of the most complex moves a packaging team can make: replacing materials.⚙️ Whether it’s a shift from polystyrene to polypropylene or a move into molded fiber or paperboard, changing materials impacts everything from machinery to consumer experience. This episode breaks down why these changes happen, what makes them so hard, and how to do it without bringing your operations to a halt.🔍 Tune in to explore:Why regulatory pressure, sustainability goals, and product performance often trigger material shiftsHow equipment limitations and team misalignment can turn a simple swap into a costly projectReal-world examples of successful transitions and what made them workTips for navigating the process, from trial runs to team coordination🎯 If you’ve ever asked, “Can’t we just use a greener material?” this episode is for you. Material changes affect more than just the packaging. They ripple across procurement, operations, and the supply chain. We’ll show you how to approach them the right way.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and drop us a note at [email protected] if your team is facing a packaging pivot. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

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