♻️ 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 consumers

• How outdated recycling facilities limit what gets accepted, even if the material is recyclable elsewhere

• The five criteria How2Recycle uses to determine whether packaging is recyclable in practice — not just in theory

• What it will take to shift from a fragmented system to one that works for consumers, brands, and recyclers

• Why 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!