Sustainable packaging isn’t about trends — it’s about purpose. Contain Design Studio focuses on fit-for-purpose solutions that protect products, reduce waste, and align with APCO guidelines. They challenge brands to move beyond greenwashing and create packaging that’s not only beautiful, but truly recyclable, reusable, or compostable — all the way from concept to curbside.

Brittney Wheeler is the founder of Contain Design Studio, a product development and packaging design studio based in Melbourne. A strong focus and commitment to ethical and sustainable manufacturing. After the birth of her first child, Brittney launched the studio in 2017, initially working out of a co-working space before expanding into her own studio in 2021.

With a team of five, Contain Design has grown into a business renowned for producing high-quality, plastic-free products, including exhibition merchandise for the National Gallery of Australia and uniquely designed packaging for Melbourne's Supernormal restaurant.

Driven by a passion for smart operations and sustainability, Brittney's work is dedicated to creating innovative designs that not only look beautiful but are environmentally responsible. Her efforts have been recognized with multiple accolades, including being named the Best Packaging Design Specialist for Victoria at the Australian Enterprise Awards.

A true advocate for ethical design, Brittney ensures that her company works only with suppliers who align with her values. She is also committed to maintaining the integrity of her products, recently achieving Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) accreditation to ensure all paper and wood products are responsibly sourced. Brittney’s journey from designer to business leader is a testament to her vision, creativity, and dedication to a sustainable future.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittney-wheeler-93808250/

 https://www.containdesign.com.au/

 https://www.linkedin.com/company/containdesign/

Sustainability for Kids was founded in March 2022, with the aim to educate younger generations on how to make the switch to a more sustainable living.

Founder and Sustainabilty Specialist Anhely Millán ensured their approach not only helped kids to learn about sustainability but helps to protect and improve the environment where they spend majority of the day, meaning the school, before and after care, or vacation programs. By helping these institutions to be more sustainable as well as implementing sustainable actions, the aim is for kids to follow sustainable behaviours to a point that it is their day-to-day.

The belief that education is key to achieve sustainability targets and this is the main reason why Sustainability for Kids exists.

"I am on a mission to provide education on sustainable practices and develop collaboration opportunities for the planet’s greater good" Anhely, is a purpose driven person, sustainable living advocate and passionate about innovation. 

She started her career, back in 2000, as secondary school Teacher just after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in chemistry.  She is very energetic when it comes to learn new topics, reason why she’s done different post-degree studies; some of them in Marketing, Environmental Management and Sustainability.  

Across her career she’s held different positions in Quality, R&D and Innovation within the food, cosmetics, personal care, and packaging industries, delivering new-to-market products and sustainable packaging solutions. 

Early in 2022, she founded Sustainability for Kids and launched her first educational book - The World Behind Recycling - with the purpose to invest in future generations and educate children on how to bring sustainability into their day-to-day activities.

https://www.sustainabilityforkids.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anhely-mill%C3%A1n/

https://ecoporium.com.au/article/anhely-millan-founder-sustainability-for-kids/

An insightful conversation with Sip & Banter and MCC Label Australia centres on the importance of collaboration between brand owners and suppliers, Jo and Amy will share insights into the materials selection and production process, and reveal the strategies used to ensure the brand’s message stands out in a competitive market.

Jo Shanahan - Co-Founder/Distiller & Chaos Co-Ordinator Jo is the co-founder, distiller, and all-round doer of things at Sip & Banter Distillery - a small business where wearing multiple hats isn't just a necessity, it's part of the adventure. 

With a background in running a fabrication business alongside her husband, Tim, she is no stranger to the demands of hands-on industries, but Sip & Banter has given them the chance to blend business with creativity, connection, and a love for great gin.  From perfecting recipes, handling production, sourcing suppliers, branding, and everything in between Jo has a hand in every part of the process-, making sure every detail reflects their vision of fun, great drinks, and good company.                                         

Amy Todd - Packaging & Account Management Specialist With over a decade of experience across the FMCG sector, Amy Todd has established herself as a dynamic force in packaging innovation, product development and strategic account management. As a current Account Manager at MCC Label, Amy expertly navigates the complex needs of clients with a specialized focus on FMCG accounts and a passion for Wine and Spirits.

Amy's extensive background in the packaging includes roles at Endeavour Drinks Group (Pinnacle Drinks), McWilliams Wines and ACCO Brands. Amy has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill in developing innovative packaging formats that drive brand recognition and market penetration. She is passionate about packaging and her past experience has provided her a unique understanding of what clients are looking for and the unique challenges that they face.  Amy's commitment to sustainability and her comprehensive understanding of APCO requirements has made her a valued partner to clients looking to achieve ambitious environmental targets while maintaining product integrity and market appeal.

https://sipandbanter.com.au/

@sipandbanter

https://www.mcclabel.com/en

@mcc.australia

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-todd-690381170/

Wausau Coated Products, Inc., headquartered in Wausau, Wisconsin, is a leading manufacturer of pressure-sensitive products, label materials, and custom coating technologies serving a wide variety of markets. Founded in 1981, Wausau Coated has established itself as a flexible manufacturer that responds quickly to today's rapidly changing demands. The company’s founding principle, "The difficult we do today, the impossible takes a day or two longer," continues to be its core philosophy.

Wausau Coated excels in manufacturing high-quality roll and sheet label materials for a variety of end uses. The company’s sales and technical staff collaborate daily to understand customer pressure-sensitive needs and develop solutions that provide a competitive advantage for their products.

https://www.wausaucoated.com/about-us    

https://ballanddoggett.com.au/?s=wausau    

https://ballanddoggett.com.au/product-category/labels/rolls/premium-beverage/    

https://ecoporium.com.au/product-index/

Dr Stijn Billiet, Vice President Global Sustainability and Michael Patterson, National Sales Director join Zaidee Jackson in an in depth conversation on our MCC sees the world of labels!

The trio explore a broad range of topics including the process of developing a sustainable label solution for a customer, global supply chains, innovations, trends and technology. They unpack the question: What is better, compostable or recycle?

Insights are shared on how MCC navigates the conversation with their customers in terms of government legislations along with a dive into what are customers priorities in terms if sustainable strategies and labels.

Dr. Stijn Billiet, Vice President Global Sustainability

Dr. Stijn Billiet, MCC's Vice President Global Sustainability, has been in the packaging industry for over 8 years, and brings with him a PhD in organic chemistry and plenty more.

He was awarded Global Label Awards' Rising Star Award in 2022, led MCC in the effort to get SBTi approval for our carbon reduction targets in 2023, and has been integral in developing MCC’s new sustainability strategy. 

Michael Patterson, National Sales Director

With 3 decades of expertise in the print, paper, and packaging industry, Michael Patterson brings a wealth of experience to his role as Sales Director at MCC Label, where he has been instrumental for the past 7 years.

Michael has forged strong partnerships with top Australian wine brands and is now leveraging his deep industry knowledge to drive success in the Food & Dairy, Beverage, and Pharmaceutical sectors. His strategic leadership and industry acumen make him a pivotal force in delivering exceptional results across diverse markets.

Resources & References

https://www.mcclabel.com/en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcclabel/posts/?feedView=all

https://ecoporium.com.au/sustainable-forums/mcc-label-dr-stijn-billiet-senior-director-global-sustainability-liveexperience-appex2024/

Pippa Corry Founder and Director of Philo & Co delves into the evolving role of sustainability within the Australian brand and agency sector.

Pippa shares how brands are responding to the upcoming national packaging targets, how brands manage current and future state of data integrity and the role it plays in reporting.

Pippa Corry is the Founder of philo & co, a sustainability and circular economy consultancy that specialises in packaging design, brand strategy and communication for FMCG brands and design agencies.

With over 15 years’ experience in the creative industry, Pippa has leveraged her skills to develop philo & co’s distinctive approach with the mission to ‘simplify circularity’. Pippa is a member of APCO, the AIP and was recently awarded the Design & Branding Visionary Woman in Packaging Award.

Philo & co’s clients include leading design agencies such as Co-Partnership and Depot, and well-known brands such as Bulla and Freedom.

Resources & References

https://www.philoand.co

www.linkedin.com/in/pippa-corry-40640347

https://www.instagram.com/philoand.co/

"The essence of what they will be asking of all of us is to ensure that the packaging that you put onto the marketplace is optimum for its intended purpose, key word being optimum." 

Keith Chessell and Ralph Moyle from AIP: Australian Institute of Packaging, Join Zaidee Jackson in an invaluable addition to our ecoporium Interview series with poignant information to be shared. The conversation brings to light a brief overview on the 2025 National Packaging Targets and Sustainable Packaging design principles, and what it will mean for you and your business. We explore the change in buying behaviour of consumers and the growth in the last couple of years to fibre based and renewable solutions as well as some challenges faced around certifications and testings with some renewable materials.

Keith Bio: Keith Chessell FAIP has 46 years of experience within the Food, Beverage & Confectionery industry (Cottee’s, Schweppes, Pepsi, Cadbury, Kraft/Mondelez) with the innovation and development of new products and the relaunch of existing products and packaging. In recent years his focus has been on sustainable packaging design and assisting the AIP & WPO with Save Foods initiatives and training support for Educational institutions. Judging packaging designs awards has been a great interest over the past 10 years and he has combined this with his ‘Sustainable Packaging Design consultancy. Keith is the AIP representative on the LCA Standards Australia committee and was the AIP representative on APCO Board (Nov 2018 - Nov 2020) and has served is on the APCO Technical Advisory Committee since its inception in April 2018. Keith is a Fellow of the AIP, a Life Member of the AIP, and a Lifetime Achievement Award winner for the WPO.

Ralph Bio: Ralph Moyle FAIP, CPP, is an experienced food-packaging consultant with 40 years’ in the food processing industry and 30 years’ focused on packaging. Through a unique range of senior management experiences in Packaging, Operations, Technical and Quality Assurance in large and medium FMCG businesses, Ralph has brought increased value to many organisations through the value of smarter packaging at less waste. Ralph’s packaging knowledge has resulted in successful contemporary designs and material selections, improved shelf life, lower material costs, shorter supply chains and environmentally friendly selections that have provided greater economic value. Ralph has been instrumental in training over 2000 people in the last few years in sustainable packaging and design, the 2025 National Packaging Targets, how do we embed the Australasian recycling label into your business and more. Ralph is past president of the AIP, a certified packaging professional, and a fellow of the AIP. He was also awarded the Founders Award for his significant contribution to packaging education and training in Australasia and a global Lifetime Achievement Award from the WPA. AIP: The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is the peak professional body for packaging education and training in Australasia; helping to shape the careers of generations of packaging professionals – from packaging technologists to international packaging business leaders along with a host of people in associated disciplines – sales and marketing, purchasing, production and environment. The AIP was founded in 1963 in response to a need for packaging technologists to interact and provide a professional identity for individuals within the packaging industry. Having served the industry for 60 years the AIP is the only professional body designed to provide professional and personal development to all levels of the packaging industry; educational offerings include the Diploma in Packaging Technology, the Certificate in Packaging, the Master in Food & Packaging Innovation, Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) Designation, Fundamentals of Packaging Technology course, half-day training courses, conferences, technical forums, site visits, Influential Women’s Mentoring program, internship program and more. The AIP covers Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia.

Resources & References

http://aipack.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-moyle-cpp-faip-91905130/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-chessell-8582591b/

https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/greenwashing-guidelines.pdf

https://www.worldpackaging.org/wpo/45/

http://aipack.com.au/the-power-of-collaboration-aip-and-apco-join-forces/

http://aipack.com.au/pida-awards-sustainable-packaging-case-studies/

http://aipack.com.au/2022-pida-awards-wrap-up/

https://worldpackaging.org/Uploads/HowToUseGuide1.pdf

https://worldpackaging.org/Uploads/2021-10/ResourcePDF37_1635406572.pdf

http://aipack.com.au/partners/

http://aipack.com.au/about-us/enewsletter/

http://aipack.com.au/education/aip-education-overview/

http://aipack.com.au/education/half-day-training-courses/

Zaidee Jackson speaks with Kate Dufty EARP Distilling Co and Taylah Minchington,CCL Label on this lively conversation celebrating innovation and partnership. The conversation brings to lifght the journey of a collective spirit of a brand and print supplier, partnering to deliver on the promise of high quality product to market. We explore the rebrand of EARP Distilling Co and the intentional direction by the team at CCL to deliver high calibre print. Ball & Doggett are proud to have been able to provide access to a label material such as Wausau Bright White Felt Ever Opauqe XL.

Kate Dufty

Kate Dufty is a graphic design and marketing professional originally from the US' west coast. Now she calls Newcastle home and has been working with Earp Distilling Co since February 2023. As the Design & Marketing Manager, Kate is not only the brand steward for this long standing family business, but oversees all print and digital assets for the distillery's day to day.

Taylah Minchington

Taylah Minchington is a Key Account Manager at CCL Label Australia with a Bachelor of Media (Journalism) from the University of Adelaide. Taylah joined the label industry in 2019 and manages clients from the wine, spirits, beer and FMCG industries with a keen focus on sustainable packaging solutions.

Resources & References

https://earpdistillingco.com/

https://ccllabel.au/

Chris Foley joins Zaidee Jackson discussion the once in a generational change to the Australian packaging landscape. They unpack the process APCO, government, industry along with specialists are undertaking to review the current and future states of the transformational change the industry is embarking on.

This important interview dives deep into the context and outcomes of the recent APCO national roadshow they hosted throughout August 2023. The ten step plan is unveiled to being our industry up to speed with the intention and delivers to government. More importantly what that looks like for government.

For all key stakeholders within the value chain impacts will be a certainty as a result of what will shape the mandates and legislations that will impact the packaging supply chain.

Chris Foley – CEO, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation Chris specialises in creating value and positive impact for large, complex businesses and organisations by improving the sustainability of their operations, products, packaging, and supply chain.

His experience includes driving system changes to deliver sustainability, product stewardship and corporate reputation outcomes in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the US. Prior to joining APCO in August 2022, Chris led strategic and transformational change in environmental sustainability across leading retailers Kmart and Target where his remit included climate change, product stewardship, circular economy, packaging, plastic, and waste.

He has also spent time in the packaging and utilities industries and government. As APCO’s CEO, Chris leads the development and execution of strategies that bring business, governments, and industry together to design, use, recover, reuse and recycle packaging to improve waste, climate, water, material, chemical and social impacts.

Resources & References

https://apco.org.au/

https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/arl/

https://anzpacplasticspact.org.au/taking-action/

https://apco.org.au/the-australasian-recycling-label

https://apco.org.au/sustainable-packaging-guidelines

https://apco.org.au/news/20Y4a00000000BxEAI

https://apco.org.au/collaborating-with-governments

https://apco.org.au/collaborating-with-industry-sectors

https://apco.org.au/packaging-sustainability-framework

The founder of Awen Consulting, Renata Daudt provides insight to the audience on the key elements on why engaging with a packaging engineer is critical to improve outcomes for packaging throughout the entire supply chain.

She sheds light on what the packaging legislation that will be mandated means to brands, convertors and printers.

Renata Daudt holds a bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering and master degree in Paper Engineering from Germany. She has over a decade of experience working for large corporates in Europe, South America, Asia and Oceania, the last 8 years exclusively in the paper industry. Renata has worked extensively with packaging materials and packaging for food products focusing on sustainability and design for circular economy.

She is founder of AWEN Consulting where she provides consulting services in sustainable packaging.

Resources & References

https://www.awenconsulting.com/ https://www.awenconsulting.com/c%C3%B3pia-about https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/plibersek/media-releases/environment-ministers-step-cut-packaging-waste https://www.sustainabilitytracker.com/brand/ecoporium-by-ball-doggett/ Contact Details: [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/company/74100607/admin/feed/posts/