Sustainable Design Lab

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, Nathan Pajka, a Sustainability Manager at Metsä Board, shares how the Finnish paperboard company is transforming packaging sustainability through innovative materials, fossil-free manufacturing, and strategic approaches to emerging regulations.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Nordic forest management and fiber technology enable the production of lighter, stronger paperboard
• Why virgin fiber can outperform recycled materials for food safety and barrier properties
• The pathway to fossil-free manufacturing through biomass energy and mill electrification
• How lightweight paperboard reduces carbon emissions across the entire supply chain
• Why EPR regulations are accelerating the shift from plastic to fiber-based packaging solutions
• The future of sustainable barrier coatings and their role in plastic replacement
  
  

Nathan Pajka is a Sustainability Manager at Metsä Board, a leading Finnish paperboard company specializing in lightweight, high-performance packaging solutions. With diverse experience spanning healthcare, energy, and environmental services, he brings a comprehensive understanding of packaging sustainability and material innovation to his role. As a key voice in fiber-based packaging development, Nathan focuses on helping brands transition to more sustainable solutions while meeting strict performance and regulatory requirements. His expertise in EPR compliance, carbon footprint reduction, and barrier technology development has positioned him as a valuable resource for companies seeking to reduce their environmental impact through innovative packaging solutions.

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.

Each episode dives deep into advanced materials, circular economy strategies, and real-world innovations, offering clear, actionable guidance for packaging engineers, brand leaders, and decision-makers.

From seaweed-based packaging to compostable alternatives, we break down complex sustainability topics into clear, actionable ideas that can drive meaningful change.

Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability.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, Sam Boex and Bella Collins of Flexi-Hex share how their plastic-free protective packaging solution uses thoughtful, user-centered design to drive sustainable packaging adoption, replace plastic, and prove that good design moves the needle to encourage sustainable packaging adoption through the customer experience.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Flexi-Hex's honeycomb design provides superior protection while reducing shipping volume
• Why paper-based protective packaging can outperform traditional plastic solutions
• The power of authentic storytelling in driving sustainable packaging adoption
• Why craft materials are becoming the new standard for premium sustainable packaging
• How collaboration between startups and established companies accelerates sustainable innovation
  
  

Sam Boex is the Co-Founder of Flexi-Hex, bringing his product design expertise to revolutionize sustainable protective packaging. With a background in product development, he transformed a personal challenge—shipping surfboards without plastic into an innovative honeycomb sleeve design that's disrupting traditional packaging solutions. Sam led the development of Flexi-Hex's patented paper-based technology, which matches or exceeds the performance of conventional plastic packaging while significantly reducing its environmental impact.

Bella Collins serves as Commercial Director at Flexi-Hex, combining her marketing expertise with a profound commitment to ocean conservation. As a record-breaking ocean rower who has crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, her firsthand experience with marine plastic pollution drives Flexi-Hex's mission for sustainable packaging solutions. Bella has been instrumental in developing Flexi-Hex's compelling brand narrative and viral marketing campaigns, helping transform an innovative product into a movement for positive environmental change in the packaging industry.

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

Take your learning further with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Masterclass Workbook by Sustainable Design Lab.


Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley, 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 shares eight advanced packaging redesign strategies that can help companies lower their EPR fees while improving environmental performance.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to implement targeted lightweighting by focusing on materials with the highest EPR fees
• The Material Shifting Framework for transitioning from high-fee plastics to lower-cost paper alternatives
• Why category anchoring can reduce EPR costs by strategically designing packages around lower-fee materials
• How to leverage PCR content to qualify for eco-modulation incentives and reduce compliance costs
• How to eliminate problematic features like metallic inks and carbon black plastics that trigger higher EPR fees
• Why transitioning from flexible plastics to paper-based alternatives can cut EPR fees by up to 95%
  
  

Chris leads the Sustainable Design Lab at Veritiv, where he oversees a 20,000-square-foot R&D facility in Silicon Valley and manages a team of over 60 packaging engineers, industrial designers, and sustainability experts. 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' 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.

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

Want to be a guest on Sustainable Design Lab?

If you’re driving innovation in sustainable packaging - whether through design, material science, policy, or practical implementation - we want to hear from you.

Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/phynPFW4AJC54Zn28

From bioplastics to circular economies, this podcast is where the most forward-thinking voices in sustainable design come to unpack real-world challenges and share actionable insights


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

Take your learning further with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Masterclass Workbook by Sustainable Design Lab.


Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley, 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 dives into Colorado's unique approach to packaging EPR in this comprehensive overview and comparison with Oregon's program. Chris unpacks key differences in fee structures, composting initiatives, and eco-modulation incentives.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Colorado's EPR program prioritizes composting infrastructure and incentivizes certified compostable packaging
• Why Colorado's fee structure differs from Oregon's
• How to qualify for eco-modulation incentives in Colorado
• The strategic approach to reuse and refill systems in Colorado, including complete fee exemptions for qualifying programs
• Why Colorado's balanced approach to recycling and composting creates new opportunities for sustainable packaging design
  
  

Chris leads the Sustainable Design Lab at Veritiv, where he oversees a 20,000-square-foot R&D facility in Silicon Valley and manages a team of over 60 packaging engineers, industrial designers, and sustainability experts. 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' 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.

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

Want to be a guest on Sustainable Design Lab?

If you’re driving innovation in sustainable packaging—whether through design, material science, policy, or practical implementation—we want to hear from you.

Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/phynPFW4AJC54Zn28

From bioplastics to circular economies, this podcast is where the most forward-thinking voices in sustainable design come to unpack real-world challenges and share actionable insights

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

Take your learning further with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Masterclass Workbook by Sustainable Design Lab.


Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley, 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 breaks down Oregon's complex 397-page EPR plan into actionable insights, exploring fee structures, compliance requirements, and money-saving opportunities through sustainable design.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Oregon's EPR fee structure works
• The Strategic Application of the State Adjustment Factor (SAF) to prevent gaming the system with non-recyclable materials
• How to leverage eco-modulation bonuses for up to $50,000 per SKU through Life Cycle Assessments
• Why the Uniform Statewide Collection List (USCL) will standardize recycling across Oregon
• How to strategically shift from high-fee materials to lower-fee alternatives
  
  

Chris leads the Sustainable Design Lab at Veritiv, where he oversees a 20,000-square-foot R&D facility in Silicon Valley and manages a team of over 60 packaging engineers, industrial designers, and sustainability experts. 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' 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.

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

Want to be a guest on Sustainable Design Lab?

If you’re driving innovation in sustainable packaging—whether through design, material science, policy, or practical implementation—we want to hear from you.

Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/phynPFW4AJC54Zn28

From bioplastics to circular economies, this podcast is where the most forward-thinking voices in sustainable design come to unpack real-world challenges and share actionable insights

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

Take your learning further with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Masterclass Workbook by Sustainable Design Lab.


Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley, 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.

Before listening to this episode, make sure you’ve checked out EPR Masterclass Overview (Episode 1) in the podcast series. In this episode, Chris breaks down how EPR laws are reshaping packaging sustainability across the US, exploring key concepts like producer obligations, ecomodulation fees, and state-specific requirements.

What You’ll Learn:

• How EPR laws are transforming packaging responsibility
• Who qualifies as a "producer" under new regulations
• The critical role of Producer Responsibility Organizations in managing compliance and fee collection
• Why ecomodulation fees can range from $0.10 to $2.58 per pound based on material recyclability and sustainability
• The current implementation timeline for EPR across five states, starting with Oregon in July 2025
  
  

Chris leads the Sustainable Design Lab at Veritiv, where he oversees a 20,000-square-foot R&D facility in Silicon Valley and manages a team of over 60 packaging engineers, industrial designers, and sustainability experts. 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' 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.

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

Want to be a guest on Sustainable Design Lab?

If you’re driving innovation in sustainable packaging—whether through design, material science, policy, or practical implementation—we want to hear from you.

Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/phynPFW4AJC54Zn28

From bioplastics to circular economies, this podcast is where the most forward-thinking voices in sustainable design come to unpack real-world challenges and share actionable insights

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

Take your learning further with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Masterclass Workbook by Sustainable Design Lab.


Welcome to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast by Veritiv. Hosted by Chris Bradley, 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 first episode of the Sustainable Design Lab podcast, host Chris Bradley, leader of Veritiv's Sustainable Design Lab, gives an overview of the EPR Masterclass series. In this series, Chris breaks down how five US states have enacted EPR legislation that will fundamentally reshape packaging costs and compliance requirements by 2025. Perfect for packaging designers, business owners, and sustainability leaders, this multi-part series delivers actionable strategies to minimize fees, maximize incentives, and transform regulatory challenges into competitive advantages through smart sustainable design.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to navigate EPR laws across five U.S. states and prepare for upcoming legislation in additional states
• The fundamental principles of EPR and their impact on packaging costs and design requirements
• Why eco-modulation fees create financial incentives for sustainable packaging innovation
• How to transform EPR compliance into a competitive advantage through innovative packaging redesign
• Why early adoption of sustainable design strategies can lead to significant cost savings before program implementation
  
  

Chris leads the Sustainable Design Lab at Veritiv, where he oversees a 20,000-square-foot R&D facility in Silicon Valley and manages a team of over 60 packaging engineers, industrial designers, and sustainability experts. 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' 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.

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

Want to be a guest on Sustainable Design Lab?

If you’re driving innovation in sustainable packaging—whether through design, material science, policy, or practical implementation—we want to hear from you.

Submit your interest here: https://forms.gle/phynPFW4AJC54Zn28

From bioplastics to circular economies, this podcast is where the most forward-thinking voices in sustainable design come to unpack real-world challenges and share actionable insightsSustainable 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, this show is your go-to resource for cutting-edge insights into the world of sustainable packaging.

Each episode dives deep into advanced materials, circular economy strategies, and real-world innovations, offering clear, actionable guidance for packaging engineers, brand leaders, and decision-makers.

From seaweed-based packaging to compostable alternatives, we break down complex sustainability topics into clear, actionable ideas that can drive meaningful change.

Join us as we reimagine packaging innovation and turn every decision into a powerful act of sustainability. Subscribe now to the Sustainable Design Lab podcast on your favorite streaming platform.
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