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

• Season 2, Episode 5: Navigating Packaging Regulations with the U.S. Plastics Pact

  🌍 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, we’re joined by Crystal Bayliss, Director of Strategy and Engagement at the U.S. Plastics Pact, to explore the evolving landscape of packaging regulations. Crystal shares her journey from procurement to sustainability leadership, offering valuable insights on regulatory changes, voluntary commitments, and industry collaboration. 🎧 This episode, discover the latest trends in packaging laws and compliance, such as: The impact of California’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law on packaging design and compliance. The role of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content requirements and Deposit Return Systems (DRS). How the Global Plastics Treaty aims to harmonize efforts to reduce plastic waste worldwide. Why brands like Kraft Heinz are committing to long-term sustainability initiatives ahead of legal mandates. 🤝 Additionally, you’ll learn how collaboration is driving sustainable packaging solutions, as Crystal highlights inspiring success stories, from Walmart’s community recycling units to Kraft Heinz’s PCR partnerships, proving that teamwork drives real change. 💡 Get actionable tips to stay ahead in sustainable packaging. Stay informed on sustainability trends and regulatory shifts shaping the future of packaging. Don’t miss this insightful discussion packed with actionable tips for staying ahead. 🎧  Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Subscribe to catch the latest episodes and industry insights!

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• Season 2 , Episode 4: 2024 Packaging Trends Overview

  🎙️ Welcome to the final Crazy About Packaging podcast of 2024! This episode is packed with insights into the year’s most influential packaging trends and the regulations shaping the sustainability landscape. 🌍 Join Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan as they review the biggest trends of 2024, including the rise of innovative materials, machine-learning in recycling, and global policy shifts. They also share ICPG’s 2024 highlights and reveal how these milestones are paving the way for a more sustainable future. ♻️ Key topics covered in this episode include: Paperization of Packaging: Exploring the shift from plastic to fiber-based materials and the challenges in recyclability. Ocean-Based Feedstocks: Examining the promise and hurdles of using marine materials like seaweed for single-use packaging. Machine Learning in Recycling: How new technology and automation are revolutionizing material sorting and recycling efficiency. Recyclability Labeling: The growing push for clear, localized labels to guide consumers in proper recycling. Scaling Up Reuse Programs: The expansion of reuse models in urban areas and their potential for mainstream adoption. 📦 The episode also highlights major policy updates like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Reduction Act, and the Global Plastics Treaty, all of which are reshaping the future of packaging. 🏆 Don’t miss ICPG’s 2024 milestones, including ICPG’s XPP material winning the U.S. Plastics Pact Innovation Award for recyclability, incorporating lifecycle analysis (LCA) for XPP, among others. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Together, let’s celebrate the progress of 2024 and get excited about what’s to come in 2025!

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• Season 2, Episode 3: The Vital Role of Recycling Education and Access

  🎙️Welcome back to Crazy About Packaging! In this episode, Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan are joined by Kate Bailey, Chief Policy Officer at the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), to explore the challenges and solutions for creating a circular economy for plastics in North America. Discover the myths surrounding recycling and what it really takes to make recycling effective across the U.S. 🌍 Kate Bailey brings nearly 20 years of experience in the recycling industry, offering expert insights into policy and hands-on solutions. She discusses how better access to recycling, especially in underserved areas, and smarter packaging design can significantly improve recycling rates. ♻️ Did you know that while only 9% of plastics are recycled, this number includes items not meant for curbside bins? Kate explains how everyday items like plastic bottles and tubs are recycled at higher rates, and why policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are critical to boosting infrastructure and participation in recycling programs. 📦 Learn how the APR Design Guide is pushing for smarter, more recyclable packaging, and why better packaging decisions, from labels to caps, can make or break the recycling process. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Together, let’s get crazy about packaging and work towards a more sustainable future!

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• Season 2, Episode 2: Tackling the Food Waste Crisis

  Welcome back to Crazy About Packaging! In this episode, Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan team up with food waste expert Angel Veza from ReFED to explore how packaging plays a crucial role in addressing the U.S. food waste crisis. Discover staggering statistics, innovative solutions, and learn how packaging can help reduce food waste, combat climate change, and save money. 🌍 Angel Veza, Senior Manager at ReFED, joins the show to share her expertise in food waste reduction. With her culinary background and sustainability focus, Angel leads initiatives at ReFED that drive impactful, data-driven solutions across the supply chain. 📊 Did you know that 38% of food in the U.S. goes uneaten, equating to 7.6 million tons of waste? Angel breaks down the financial and environmental impacts, painting a vivid picture of the waste's true cost—$444 billion, or 2% of U.S. GDP. ♻️ While packaging often gets a bad rap, Angel reveals how smart design and innovation—like barrier packaging, resealable options, and improved date labels—can extend shelf life and prevent food from going to waste. 🌡️ Explore cutting-edge solutions like sensors that detect spoilage and temperature-sensitive packaging. Angel emphasizes that reducing food waste will require multiple strategies working in unison for a lasting impact. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Together, let’s get crazy about packaging and make a difference in reducing food waste.

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• Season 2, Episode 1: The Value of a Sustainable Packaging Assessment

  Season 2 kicks off with an exciting dive into the value of sustainable packaging assessments. In this episode, we’re joined by guest host Sarah Webber from Plastic Ingenuity, who walks us through how these assessments are transforming the industry by identifying sustainable, cost-effective packaging solutions. ♻️ In this month’s recycling trivia game, Natalie challenges Mike, Jonathan, and Sarah to figure out if a cracker dip package is recyclable. Their answers might surprise you! 🌍 Discover the four key steps of a sustainable packaging assessment, from defining goals and assessing current packaging to creating a gap assessment and executing the plan. 🔍 Learn about the specific challenges healthcare packaging faces in sustainability and how industry leaders are pushing for change despite the slow adoption of recyclable materials. 📈 Hear how sustainable packaging assessments are helping companies meet corporate and government sustainability targets without breaking the bank. Join us for a knowledge-packed episode filled with practical insights, expert advice, and real-world applications for sustainable packaging. Whether you’re a packaging professional, sustainability advocate, or curious about the future of packaging, this episode offers valuable information for everyone. Don’t forget to connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X to join the conversation! Interested in being a guest host or have questions? Email us at [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you!

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