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

• 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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• Season 2, Episode 9: Behind the Scenes at the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition

  ♻️ In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, hosts Natalie and Jonathan are joined by Brittany LaValley, Vice President of Material Systems at The Recycling Partnership, to unpack how the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition is reshaping the future of polypropylene (PP) recovery.🌟 From the unexpected story of how Brittany transitioned from fine arts to recycling innovation to the strategic moves behind regaining polypropylene’s “widely recyclable” label, this episode takes you behind the curtain of a material many overlook—but that plays a critical role in the circular economy.🔍 Tune in to explore:How over $22 million in grants helped improve recycling access for more than 48 million people.Why consumer confusion remains the biggest barrier, and how tools like Recycle Check aim to close that gap.The unique strengths of polypropylene that make it worth the fight (think: heat resistance, food safety, and high clarity).What’s next for the Coalition, especially with emerging EPR legislation on the horizon.🎯 Whether you're a packaging pro or just passionate about sustainability, this episode delivers the inside scoop on how collaborative, cross-industry action is making polypropylene recycling more effective and more accessible than ever before.🎧 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 to stay in the loop on all things packaging!

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• Season 2, Episode 8: Using Life Cycle Analysis for More Sustainable Packaging Decisions

  Crazy About Packaging: Season 2, Episode 8 – Using Life Cycle Analysis for Smarter, More Sustainable Packaging Decisions📦 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the C.A.P. Pack is joined by sustainability consultant Neil Shackleton to dig into the world of life cycle analysis (LCA). You’ve heard the term, but what does it actually mean for packaging — and why should brand owners and manufacturers care?🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:What life cycle analysis really is — and how it goes way beyond just recyclabilityWhy data-driven sustainability decisions matter more than feel-good assumptionsHow brands can use LCA to avoid costly mistakes and greenwashingReal examples of how companies used LCA to lower environmental impact and cut costsWhy measuring five key environmental indicators (not just carbon) leads to better packaging choices💡 Whether you’re a packaging engineer, procurement lead, or brand owner, this episode will give you practical tools to approach sustainability with confidence — and back it up with data.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes packed with insights for smarter packaging decisions.

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• Season 2, Episode 7: The Language of Plastics—Why Words Matter

  🗣️ How do words shape the way we think about plastics? In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the C.A.P. Pack sits down with Dr. Joanna Gavins, a cognitive linguist from the University of Sheffield, to explore how language influences public perception of plastic, recycling, and sustainability.🎧 Tune in to learn:How a study of 4.5 million words revealed a major disconnect between consumers, brands, and policymakers on plastic discussions.Why companies’ sustainability messaging can unintentionally alienate consumers—and what to do instead.The surprising power of clear, direct language (and why telling people what not to do is sometimes more effective).How overusing eco-friendly buzzwords can actually make consumers less likely to trust a brand’s sustainability claims.Strategies to shift the narrative around plastics from “waste” to “resource.”💡 Whether you're in packaging, marketing, or sustainability, this episode is packed with insights on how language can be a tool for real change.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest discussions shaping the packaging industry!

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• Season 2, Episode 6: Unpacking the Truth About Microplastics with Dr. Chris DeArmitt

  The conversation around microplastics is filled with myths—but what’s the real story? In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan welcome back Dr. Chris DeArmitt, a leading plastics expert and independent environmental scientist, to separate fact from fiction. 🌍 What you’ll learn in this episode:✔️ Are microplastics as harmful as the headlines suggest?✔️ How do media narratives fuel misinformation about plastics?✔️ Why do life cycle analyses show that plastic alternatives may not be as eco-friendly as they seem?✔️ Do microplastics actually degrade, or do they persist indefinitely? Dr. DeArmitt debunks common myths using peer-reviewed data and shares insights from his upcoming book, Shattering the Plastics Illusion. If you want science-based answers on microplastics, sustainability, and the future of packaging, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on the latest in sustainable packaging!

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