Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.


In this episode, Dillon Baxter, CEO and Co-founder of PlantSwitch, a company developing plant-based, home-compostable materials designed to biodegrade in any environment, shares how his team achieved cost-competitive PHA alternatives using agricultural waste.


What You’ll Learn:

• How bacteria actually build a polymer that looks and performs like plastic
• A practical roadmap for zero-waste packaging
• How PlantSwitch is tackling the cost problem that has kept PHA materials on the sidelines for years
• Why behavior change is a harder solution than material design
• The critical difference between PLA and PHA in regulatory and marketing contexts
  
  

Dillon Baxter is the CEO and Co-founder of PlantSwitch, driving innovation in plant-based, home-compostable materials designed to replace traditional plastics in single-use applications. With vast expertise in material science, cost-effective scaling, and circular economy solutions, he has developed a proprietary technology that transforms bacterial polymers into functional, biodegradable alternatives that break down naturally in any environment.


Download the full report here! to see how these ink innovations fit into the broader 2026 sustainability landscape.


This podcast features guest speakers expressing their own company’s products, views, and experiences. Any statements regarding environmental attributes, such as biodegradability, compostability, degradation, or “zero waste” claims, are representations made solely by the guest about their own products or technologies.


Veritiv Operating Company has not independently substantiated or verified such claims. Under the FTC’s Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (16 C.F.R. Part 260), environmental performance may depend on disposal conditions, infrastructure, and environment, and outcomes may vary. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or guarantee by Veritiv Operating Company.


Chapters:

• [00:00] Intro
• [00:37] The Packaging Waste Challenge
• [04:11] How PlantSwitch Works
• [05:49] Cracking the Cost Problem
• [07:27] Rethinking the Infrastructure Argument
• [10:33] PHA vs. PLA
• [11:55] Why PlantSwitch Isn’t Trying to Change Consumer Behavior
• [14:44] What Gives Dylan Hope for the Future of Packaging
  
  

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.


Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.


In this episode, Sigrid Svedberg from EVLR International dives into how FibreStrap is replacing fossil-based plastic ties with a PLA biocomposite and paper fiber alternative that matches traditional performance, why upcoming EU PPWR regulations are accelerating the conversation, and where fiber-based materials are heading next.


What You’ll Learn:

• Why 300 billion zip ties annually represent packaging's most underestimated sustainability challenge
• How to conduct a micro-component audit of your packaging system
• The performance parity principle for material substitution
• Why regulatory pressure is accelerating the conversation from "should we change?" to "where do we start?"
• How to leverage drop-in solutions to reduce disruption in your supply chain
  
  

Sigrid Svedberg is the Co-founder of EVLR International, an innovative company revolutionizing load containment and strapping solutions in the packaging industry. With over 20 years of experience in packaging design, sales, and business development, Sigrid has developed a deep expertise in optimizing packaging systems across all stages, from production to distribution and end-of-life. She identified a critical sustainability gap in the widespread use of single-use plastic zip ties and created a fiber-based alternative, combining PLA biocomposite locking heads with FSC-certified paper cord, that matches the performance of traditional plastic while eliminating its centuries-long environmental persistence.


Download the full report here! to see how these ink innovations fit into the broader 2026 sustainability landscape.

The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.


Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.


In this episode, Amanda Yates of 3M takes us behind the scenes of one of the world’s most iconic innovation engines to explore how sustainability is embedded across every stage of product development, from materials science and R&D to commercialization and customer collaboration.


What You’ll Learn:

• How to implement a Sustainability Value Commitment framework
• Why collaborative systems unlock innovation faster
• The critical importance of mapping trade-offs before commercialization
• How to align sustainability messaging with different stakeholder motivations
• Why customer-centric sustainability strategies outperform design-for-sustainability approaches
  
  

Amanda Yates is the Senior Director of Global Sustainability at 3M, where she leads the integration of sustainability principles into the company's research, development, and innovation pipeline. With deep expertise in sustainable product development and corporate environmental strategy, Amanda has been instrumental in advancing 3M's Sustainability Value Commitment, a framework ensuring every new product incorporates sustainability considerations. Her work bridges innovation and impact, aligning 3M's 100+ year legacy of invention with contemporary climate and circular economy goals.


Download the full report here! to see how these ink innovations fit into the broader 2026 sustainability landscape.


The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 


Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.


In this episode, Michael Marszalek and Cameron Stout share why dimensional efficiency is becoming one of the most important and overlooked drivers of sustainable packaging, how the Packsize-Veritiv partnership is making automated right-sized packaging accessible at scale, and what it takes to turn packaging optimization into measurable sustainability and financial impact.


What You’ll Learn:

• Why dimensional efficiency outperforms material substitution alone
• How to identify packaging waste hidden on your warehouse floor
• The operational integration framework for packaging automation
• Why reliability concerns around automated packaging systems are overstated
• How emerging regulations are accelerating the shift from sustainability initiative to business requirement
  
  

Cameron Stout is Vice President for Partnership Development at Packsize, bringing deep expertise in warehouse automation and right-sized packaging solutions. With a background in optimizing fulfillment operations across diverse warehouse environments, he specializes in translating complex automation challenges into practical, scalable implementations.


Michael Marszalek is the Senior Director of Partnerships at Packsize, dedicated to connecting dimensional efficiency with measurable environmental and financial impact. Bringing a purpose-driven approach to packaging innovation, he champions the integration of automation, material strategy, and supply chain optimization to deliver real-world sustainability outcomes.


Download the full report here! to see how these ink innovations fit into the broader 2026 sustainability landscape.


The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.


Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.

In this episode, Scott Fulbright, CEO and Co-founder of Living Ink Technologies, discusses the real impact of inks and pigments, especially carbon black, one of the most widely used materials in packaging printing. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Why pigments are systematically overlooked in sustainability discussions
• How to convert waste biomass into functional pigments without disrupting existing supply chains
• The critical difference between carbon sequestration and biodegradability in end-of-life scenarios
• Why safety is an underrated competitive advantage in material innovation
• How to position inks within emerging EPR and regulatory frameworks to unlock policy-driven market shifts
  
  

Scott Fullbright is CEO and Co-founder of Living Ink Technologies, an innovator at the intersection of material science, climate innovation, and scalable manufacturing. With a background in biotechnology and the algae and biofuel sectors, Scott has redirected his expertise toward solving one of packaging's most invisible sustainability challenges: replacing fossil-based carbon black pigments with biochar derived from waste biomass and algae. His work showcases that capturing atmospheric carbon through repurposed agricultural residues can create functional, drop-in ink solutions for major consumer brands while maintaining existing manufacturing standards.

Download the full report here! To see how these ink innovations fit into the broader 2026 sustainability landscape.

The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 

Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.

In this episode, Chris and Brodie walk through the 10 biggest sustainable packaging trends shaping 2026, based on insights gathered from hundreds of suppliers, prototypes, regulatory developments, and real-world design challenges.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to leverage fiber-based formats as a competitive advantage
• Why natural polymers represent required innovation in 2026
• How specialty coatings unlock fiber functionality
• The path to premium sustainability
• How to build circular systems from day one
  
  

Chris Bradley is the Chief Marketing Officer at Veritiv and co-host of the Sustainable Design Lab podcast. As a leading authority in sustainable packaging innovation, he specializes in helping companies navigate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and develop cost-effective sustainable packaging solutions. Chris's expertise spans packaging design optimization, regulatory compliance, and sustainable material innovation, making him uniquely qualified to guide businesses through the emerging landscape of EPR legislation.

Brodie Vander Dussen is the Senior Manager of the Sustainable Design Lab at Veritiv and co-host of the Sustainable Design Lab podcast, recognized for her expertise in sustainable packaging innovation and circular economy principles. With vast experience evaluating suppliers, analyzing emerging materials, and identifying industry trends, she brings practical insights into how brands can transition from sustainability aspirations to executable design strategies.

Download the full report here! To see how these ink innovations fit into the broader 2026 sustainability landscape.

The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.

In this episode, Leah Ford and John Licata of CJ Biomaterials break down how PHAs are literally grown by bacteria in massive fermentation tanks, how CJ is scaling from lab to full production, and where PHAs are already shining.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to differentiate PHAs from other biopolymers
• Why paper coating represents the near-term commercial breakthrough for PHAs
• Designing credible compostable packaging
• How to validate compostability claims without greenwashing
• The hidden advantage of PHAs in worst-case environmental scenarios
  
  

Leah Ford is Director of Global Marketing and Communications at CJ Biomaterials, bringing over 20 years of experience in the biopolymers industry. Her expertise spans the critical intersection of regulatory compliance, scientific innovation, and market perception, domains essential to advancing compostable materials. Leah is a trusted advisor to brands navigating sustainability claims, helping bridge the gap between cutting-edge PHA technology and real-world consumer trust.

John Licata is Director of Applications at CJ Biomaterials, leading the material science innovations that are transforming polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from laboratory concepts into scalable, commercial solutions. With deep expertise in fermentation technology, polymer chemistry, and biopolymer formulation, John has been central to developing PHA compounds tailored for diverse applications, including paper coatings, food packaging, and nonwovens.

The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.

In the final episode of the Cold Chain Packaging Masterclass, Chris and Brodie move from diagnosis to design. This conversation focuses on how cold chain systems should be engineered to tolerate real-world variability, not ideal lab conditions. Through ten practical design strategies, the episode explains why cold chain excellence comes from understanding failure, stabilizing systems, and removing hidden assumptions that quietly erode performance at scale.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why cold chain design should begin with failure modes rather than material selection
• How designing for undefined “worst cases” drives cost, weight, and carbon without improving reliability
• Why repeatability, not validation, separates prototypes from engineered systems
• How small dimensional and mechanical tolerances quietly reduce thermal margin
• Why orientation dependence and PCM movement introduce invisible risk
• How stabilizing systems first reduces the need for excess insulation and energy
• What rightsizing reveals about system maturity, sustainability, and cost control
  
  

Chris Bradley is the Chief Marketing Officer at Veritiv, where he leads design, marketing, and sustainability with a focus on building recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging systems. With more than 25 years of experience, he has driven innovation for leading CPG brands including Clorox, Colgate-Palmolive, Nestlé, and Procter & Gamble. Chris is an inventor with over 40 patents and a long track record of award-winning work in sustainable design. He is also a pioneer in reusable packaging, grounded in decades of hands-on experience bringing scalable solutions to market.

Brodie Vander Dussen is a sustainable packaging strategist focused on helping brands build responsible, future-ready packaging systems. With deep expertise across materials, substrates, and formats, she works across CPG, retail, and circular startups, combining technical insight with practical problem-solving. Brodie is an active voice in the sustainable packaging community through podcasting, education, and industry collaboration, and is a frequent speaker at global events including Paris Packaging Week and the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum.

The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 

Any references to recyclability in this episode are provided for general informational purposes only. Actual recyclability depends on local regulations and the availability of appropriate recycling facilities in your area. Please check with your local recycling program to confirm whether specific materials or packaging formats discussed can be recycled where you live.Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.

Part 2 of the Cold Chain Packaging Master Class moves into biopharmaceutical cold chain, where failure carries consequences that go beyond cost or delay. Chris and Brodie explain how biopharma cold chain systems break in practice, not because the science is wrong, but because real-world variability exposes weak assumptions. From fragile biologics and GLP-1 therapies to lane handoffs, temperature bands, and hidden failure modes, this episode shows why systems that look validated often fail quietly, long before alarms ever trigger.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why biopharmaceutical cold chain failure affects patient outcomes, not just logistics performance
• How biopharma risk compounds across product sensitivity, time at temperature, and regulatory exposure
• Why GLP-1 therapies expose weak cold chain systems through scale and operational pressure
• Where lane-based validation breaks down in real-world biopharmaceutical shipments
• What distinguishes high-performing biopharma cold chain systems that prevent excursions rather than document them
  
  

Chris Bradley is the Chief Marketing Officer at Veritiv, where he leads design, marketing, and sustainability with a focus on building recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging systems. With more than 25 years of experience, he has driven innovation for leading CPG brands including Clorox, Colgate-Palmolive, Nestlé, and Procter & Gamble. Chris is an inventor with over 40 patents and a long track record of award-winning work in sustainable design. He is also a pioneer in reusable packaging, grounded in decades of hands-on experience bringing scalable solutions to market.

Brodie Vander Dussen is a sustainable packaging strategist focused on helping brands build responsible, future-ready packaging systems. With deep expertise across materials, substrates, and formats, she works across CPG, retail, and circular startups, combining technical insight with practical problem-solving. Brodie is an active voice in the sustainable packaging community through podcasting, education, and industry collaboration, and is a frequent speaker at global events including Paris Packaging Week and the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum.

The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 

Any references to recyclability in this episode are provided for general informational purposes only. Actual recyclability depends on local regulations and the availability of appropriate recycling facilities in your area. Please check with your local recycling program to confirm whether specific materials or packaging formats discussed can be recycled where you live.Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts

Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley and Brodie Vander Dussen, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging. Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.

This episode kicks off a new Cold Chain Packaging Master Class series. Brodie and Chris lay the foundation by unpacking what cold chain packaging actually is, how thermal science behaves inside these systems, and why sustainability, performance, and cost can no longer be treated as separate decisions. From insulation and phase change materials to testing, lane variability, and regulatory pressure, this episode sets the baseline for understanding how modern cold chain systems must be designed.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why cold chain packaging is a system problem, not a material choice
• How thermal science (conduction, convection, radiation) drives real-world performance
• The tradeoffs across insulation options, from EPS to fiber and cellulose systems
• How phase change materials and testing determine success or failure in real lanes
• Why regulation, freight economics, and sustainability pressures are reshaping cold chain design
  
  

Chris Bradley is the Chief Marketing Officer at Veritiv and co-host of the Sustainable Design Lab podcast. As a leading authority in sustainable packaging innovation, he specializes in helping companies navigate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and develop cost-effective sustainable packaging solutions. Chris's expertise spans packaging design optimization, regulatory compliance, and sustainable material innovation, making him uniquely qualified to guide businesses through the emerging landscape of EPR legislation.

Brodie Vander Dussen is the Senior Manager of Sustainable Design Lab at Veritiv and co-host of the Sustainable Design Lab podcast, recognized for her expertise in sustainable packaging innovation and circular economy principles. With vast experience evaluating suppliers, analyzing emerging materials, and identifying industry trends, she brings practical insights into how brands can transition from sustainability aspirations to executable design strategies.

The information presented in this episode is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 

Any references to recyclability in this episode are provided for general informational purposes only. Actual recyclability depends on local regulations and the availability of appropriate recycling facilities in your area. Please check with your local recycling program to confirm whether specific materials or packaging formats discussed can be recycled where you live.Sustainable Design Lab is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 

Previous guests include: Sam Boex & Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex, Nathan Pajka of Metsä Board, John Felts of Cruz Foam

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

1. Plastic-Free Paper Packaging: Flexi-Hex on Designing for Luxury and Sustainability
2. How Metsä Board Is Redesigning Packaging From Forest to Shelf with Nathan Pajka
3. The Future of Foam: Compostable Materials That Perform with John Felts