Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors presented by Atlantic Packaging

This episode kicks off with a special announcement brought to you from See Change Sessions 2026. Sander Defruyt of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and today's guest, Allison Lin of Mars, discuss the launch of the PaperFlex Consortium, an R&D consortium aimed at accelerating innovation for paper-based flexible packaging. This consortium is convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, powered by their partner (Re)Set, and the founding members are Mars, Colgate-Palmolive, Nestle, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever. We're proud to feature this special announcement here on the Sustainable Packaging Podcast.

Cory Connors welcomes Allison Lin of Mars for a long-awaited conversation about the company's efforts to make its packaging more circular, and the broader work Allison is doing globally to advance sustainable packaging. Allison shares her non-traditional path into the industry, starting in investment banking before moving through Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola on her way to Mars. She discusses how her Taoist Buddhist upbringing shapes her view of humanity's relationship with nature, her active role in the UN-led Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, and the structural and product innovations Mars has made to elevate sustainability, including tying packaging and greenhouse gas goals to executive compensation, launching paper-based packaging for brands like Snickers and KIND, and designing packaging around real-world end-of-life and recycling infrastructure.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Allison's career journey from investment banking to sustainability leadership at P&G, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, and Mars
• How her Buddhist upbringing shapes her perspective on humanity's connection to nature
• The UN Global Plastics Treaty: progress, challenges, and the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty
• Compassionate listening as a negotiation approach, inspired by Paris Agreement architect Christiana Figueres
• Mars's structural sustainability commitments, including tying packaging and GHG metrics to executive compensation
• Mars packaging innovations: paper-based packaging for Snickers and Mars bars in Australia, KIND bars in Whole Foods, increased recycled content, and mono-material transitions
• Designing packaging based on actual local recycling and waste infrastructure rather than a one-size-fits-all "designed to be recyclable" approach
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): lessons from Europe, the current US landscape, and the importance of well-designed, eco-modulated EPR
• Tools and partners supporting EPR data and reporting, including EPI Lorax and Reclay
• Total cost of ownership considerations for packaging as EPR fees and requirements evolve
• Advice on networking authentically, including personalized LinkedIn outreach

Resources Mentioned:

• https://www.paperflexconsortium.org/
• UN Global Plastics Treaty / UNEP Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee
• Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty (convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF)
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• Mars Healthy Planet

Chapters:

00:13 PaperFlex Announcement from See Change Sessions

02:07 Introduction to Sustainability and Career Path

04:57 The Role of Buddhism in Sustainability

07:35 The Global Plastics Treaty and Its Challenges

12:09 Mars' Innovations in Sustainable Packaging

15:01 Extended Producer Responsibility and Its Impact

17:32 Future of Sustainability and Collaboration

19:41 Final Thoughts and Personal Insights

Contact:

Listeners interested in connecting with Allison Lin are encouraged to reach out via LinkedIn.

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Connect with Cory on LinkedIn here: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors reconnects with Lara Botta, Vice President of Bota Eco Packaging, joining from Italy. They discuss the intricacies of new sustainability regulations and the paperwork burden they place on consumers and companies alike, and how Lara's team works to make compliance as simple as possible. Lara shares how Bota Eco Packaging, founded by her grandmother in 1947, has stayed ahead of European recyclability standards for decades, and how the company's innovation practices since 2017 have positioned it as a trusted resource for finding new, more sustainable materials. They also cover Italy's economic and energy challenges, the shift from purpose-driven to regulation-driven sustainability, the difficulty of convincing procurement teams that sustainable materials can be cost-effective, and Lara's role as an ambassador at the upcoming Sustainable Packaging Summit in Utrecht, where she'll moderate a panel on the controversial "paperization" trend.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Lara's grandmother founding Bota Eco Packaging in 1947 and selling paper packaging around Milan by tramway
• The company's evolution from corrugated cardboard into a sustainable packaging innovation leader since 2017
• Why Italy and Europe have led the way on recyclability and packaging regulation
• Current market conditions in Italy: energy prices, geopolitics, and slow growth
• The shift from purpose-driven sustainability to regulation-driven compliance
• Reframing "cost" conversations with procurement teams around total cost of ownership
• Being named an ambassador for the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Utrecht
• Moderating a panel on "paperization" and why it's a trending but controversial topic
• Consumer decision-making, System 1 vs. System 2 thinking, and sustainable purchasing behavior
• Generational differences in sustainability expectations
• Advice for attendees heading to the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Utrecht

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:30 The Complexity of New Sustainability Regulations and Consumer Paperwork Fatigue
03:15 Lara's Grandmother and the Founding of Bota Eco Packaging in 1947
06:00 From Corrugated Cardboard to Sustainable Innovation Since 2017
09:30 Why Italy and Europe Have Led on Recyclability and Regulation
12:15 Current Market Conditions in Italy: Energy, Geopolitics, and Growth
15:00 Regulation vs. Purpose: How the Push for Sustainability Has Shifted
18:00 Total Cost of Ownership and Changing the Conversation with Procurement
21:00 Becoming an Ambassador for the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Utrecht
23:15 Moderating the "Paperization" Panel: A Trending but Controversial Topic
26:00 Consumer Perception, Decision-Making, and System 1 vs. System 2 Thinking
29:00 Generational Differences in Sustainability Expectations
31:30 Advice for Attendees Heading to Utrecht
33:00 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Resources Mentioned:

• Bota Eco Packaging
• Sustainable Packaging Summit, Utrecht (10-12 November 2026)
• Packaging Europe (magazine referenced by Lara as a key industry resource)

Contact:

Listeners interested in connecting with Lara Botta can reach out via her website or LinkedIn.
-Website
- LinkedIn (company): Bota EcoPackaging

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I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors sits down with David Glover of 3M to preview what attendees can expect from 3M's booth at PACK EXPO, taking place October 18–21 in Chicago. David shares his 14-year journey at 3M — from product specialist to global sales trainer to portfolio marketing manager — and explains why he considers himself a "tape nerd." The conversation covers 3M's long history of packaging innovation, the growing challenge of sealing high-recycled-content corrugate, and the new products 3M is bringing to PACK EXPO to help customers meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.

Key Topics Discussed:

• David Glover's career path at 3M: product specialist, converter markets, packaging territory sales, global sales trainer, and now portfolio marketing manager for box sealing tapes
• Why packaging is the "last line of defense" for manufacturers and the cost of getting it wrong
• 3M's history of innovation: invention of Scotch Brand tape in 1929 (Richard Drew and William McKnight) and the case sealer in 1969
• The rising challenge of sealing boxes made with higher percentages of recycled content, including reduced flexural stiffness and inconsistent fiber surfaces
• The "chemistry vs. physics" framework David uses to evaluate any packaging application
• New product launches debuting at PACK EXPO: RC Plus tape head — designed for consistent sealing on lightweight, highly recycled-content boxes, with bolt-on attachments for customization
• 571 Plus sustainable paper tape — a high-performing adhesive that bonds to up to 100% recycled material
• Where the packaging industry is headed on sustainability: custom-printed tape, recycled content, and evolving state and global legislation
• The scale of PACK EXPO International — roughly 48,000 attendees at Chicago's McCormick Place

Chapters: 

00:35 Introduction to Sustainable Packaging
01:07 Introduction to Sustainable Packaging and David Glover's Background
04:14 The Importance of Packaging in Manufacturing
07:15 3M's Innovation and History in Packaging
12:02 Upcoming Innovations at Pac Expo International
15:10 Sustainability Trends in the Packaging Industry
18:08 Future Directions in Sustainable Packaging

Resources Mentioned:

• PACK EXPO International
• 3M Booth: N5720
• 3M
• 3M RC Plus + Sealing System

Contact:

Attendees can visit 3M at Booth N5720 at PACK EXPO International to see the equipment and new products in person.

Closing Thoughts:

Cory and David highlight how 3M's century of innovation continues to evolve alongside the packaging industry's shift toward recyclable, reusable, and more sustainable materials — and invite listeners to stop by the 3M booth in Chicago to see it firsthand.

Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors!

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I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors talks with Teresa Williams, Director of Strategic Accounts for GS1 US, about Sunrise 2027 — the biggest shift in retail packaging data in 50 years. Teresa explains how the industry is transitioning from the traditional 1D linear UPC barcode to a data-rich 2D barcode (a QR code powered by GS1 Digital Link), why it matters for brands and retailers, and how companies can start preparing now. The two also discuss Teresa's path into the AIDC (automatic identification and data capture) space, what GS1 US actually does, and the regulatory forces — from the Food Supply Chain Modernization Act to EPR laws — accelerating the change.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Teresa's background in AIDC (automatic identification and data capture) and her path to GS1 US
• What GS1 and GS1 US are, and how they support 300,000+ businesses across 25+ industries
• What Sunrise 2027 (globally, Ambition 2027) actually means — and why there's no hard "sunset" date for 1D barcodes
• How the new 2D barcode (GS1 Digital Link) can hold expiration dates, batch/lot numbers, allergen info, and sustainability stories on a single scan
• The first UPC-coded product ever sold: Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum, in 1974
• Consumer demand driving the shift — nearly 80% of shoppers say they're more likely to buy if they can scan a code for more product information
• Regulatory drivers: the Food Supply Chain Modernization Act, DSCSA (healthcare), and state EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) laws
• What happens if a brand doesn't adopt — no register rejection, but a growing competitive disadvantage
• Practical first steps: starting with accurate GS1 identifiers, dual marking (printing both barcode types), and using labels before committing to new packaging
• GS1 US's solution provider directory for point-of-sale hardware, software, and barcode printing partners
• GS1 US Connect and the "Beyond the Barcode" exhibit
• Advice for brands: don't go it alone — loop in solution providers, marketing, and product development; take a "crawl, walk, run" approach

Chapters:

00:00 – Preparing for Sunrise 2027
00:27 – Introduction
00:53 – Meet Teresa Williams
03:41 – What Is GS1?
05:58 – What Is Sunrise 2027?
09:28 – The First UPC Barcode
10:26 – Why 2D Barcodes Matter
11:31 – What Happens If Brands Don’t Transition?
12:36 – Industry Response & Regulations
14:19 – Sunrise 2027 Resources
15:42 – How Brands Can Prepare
17:21 – Finding a Solution Provider
18:31 – Challenges of Transitioning to 2D
20:08 – What’s Next for Sunrise 2027?
21:35 – Connect with Teresa & GS1 US

Resources Mentioned:

• GS1 US Sunrise 2027 hub
• GS1 US homepage
• Sunrise 2027 dedicated email
• Teresa Williams on LinkedIn

Contact:

Listeners with questions about the 2D barcode transition can reach the GS1 US Sunrise 2027 team at [email protected], visit gs1us.org, or connect with Teresa Williams directly on LinkedIn.

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Connect with Cory

Connect with Cory on LinkedIn here: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

Recorded live on stage at Atlantic Packaging's National Sales Meeting, this special episode traces Atlantic Packaging's remarkable 80-year journey from a small-town North Carolina newspaper to a billion-dollar, family-owned leader in sustainable packaging. Host Cory Connors sits down with CEO Rusty Carter, VP Bill Balkcum, and President Wes Carter to unpack the company's origin story, its evolution into packaging, the sales-driven culture that has defined it for decades, and the values the family hopes will carry the business into its next generation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Rusty Carter's roots in the newspaper business at the Tabor City Tribune, and the "band of brothers" who shaped his early view of hard work and loyalty
• The company's gradual migration from newspapers and office supplies into industrial and institutional distribution
• Bill Balkcum's early career at Dillard Paper Company and his first encounters with Rusty as a competitor
• The 1980 move to Wilmington, the acquisition of Crown Box, and Atlantic's pivotal shift toward packaging
• The rise of stretch film, garment film, and linear low-density film in the 1980s packaging boom
• Competing against industry giant Dillard Paper Company and using innovation and differentiation to win business
• Building a value-added business through die cutting, converting, and printing capabilities
• The transformational 1999 Henley acquisition and its role in creating a true regional and eventually national footprint
• Why Atlantic has remained a sales-driven organization, with leadership staying close to customers
• What Rusty Carter is most proud of: the people, the culture, and passing the torch to the next generation
• The core values guiding Atlantic's future: integrity, honesty, gratitude, and environmental responsibility

Chapters:
 
00:24 Introduction and Legacy of Atlantic Packaging
01:07 Introduction to the Sustainable Packaging Podcast
02:10 Early Days in the Newspaper Business
08:15 Transition to Atlantic Packaging
12:04 Competing in the Packaging Industry
18:21 The Move to Wilmington and Crown Box Acquisition
25:07 Evolution of Packaging and Automation
32:10 Differentiation in the Packaging Market
36:16 The Evolution of Leadership and Sales Culture
43:22 Transformational Acquisitions: The Henley Impact
48:23 Investing in Value-Added Services
59:50 Pride in Legacy and Culture
01:03:23 Core Values for Future Generations

Resources Mentioned:

• Atlantic Packaging History

Contact:

Listeners interested in learning more about Atlantic Packaging can visit atlanticpackaging.com.
Wes Carter - LinkedIn
Atlantic Packaging - LinkedIn
Atlantic Packaging - Linktree

Closing Thoughts:

Rusty and Bill reflect on eight decades of risk-taking, relationships, and reinvention, from hot-type newspaper tables to a national packaging powerhouse, and share why culture, not just growth, is the legacy they're most proud of building.

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Connect with Cory

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I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors sits down with Anna Perlina, a sustainable packaging and EU PPWR consultant with Integrity Solutions, to unpack why the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is reshaping how companies — even those outside Europe — think about packaging strategy. Anna traces her path from leading global packaging procurement at a major FMCG company to founding her own consultancy, and explains how the PPWR has turned "sustainable packaging," once a vague and subjective goal, into a concrete, common playing field with a roadmap running through 2040. The two also preview this November's Sustainable Packaging Summit in Utrecht, where they both serve as ambassadors.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Anna's journey from corporate packaging procurement to founding Integrity Solutions
• Why PPWR gives companies a concrete, common definition of "sustainable packaging" for the first time
• The business case for regulatory certainty: why clear rules unlock long-term investment in new materials and equipment
• The real-world testing and scale-up challenges of switching packaging formats (including a cautionary tale about pickle jars)
• Anna's role as an ambassador for the Sustainable Packaging Summit and her speaking history with Packaging Europe webinars and panels
• Reflections on last year's Sustainable Packaging Summit in Utrecht, including moderating the "paper vs. plastic" panel
• What's new for the 2026 Summit: three full days of programming, EU commissioner participation, and lessons learned from the PPWR's first milestone (August 12, 2026)
• Why non-EU companies should study the PPWR now, even if they don't sell into Europe
• Practical tips for attending the Summit, including train travel to Utrecht

Chapters: 

00:16 Introduction to Sustainability and Consulting
02:59 Understanding PPWR and Its Impact on Packaging
05:37 Challenges in Sustainable Packaging Implementation
10:06 The Role of the Sustainable Packaging Summit
12:46 Insights from the Last Summit and Future Expectations
15:23 Practical Tips for Companies on Sustainability
18:07 Conclusion and Networking Opportunities

Resources Mentioned:

• Integrity Solutions — Anna Perlina's sustainable packaging and EU PPWR consultancy
• Anna Perlina on LinkedIn
• Sustainable Packaging Summit, Utrecht — November 10–12, 2026, at the Beatrix Theatre, Jaarbeurs
• European Commission PPWR overview and guidance

Contact:

Listeners can connect with Anna Perlina on LinkedIn, where she regularly publishes free expert content and practical guidance on navigating the PPWR.

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I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors sits down with Delegate Jackie Hope Glass of the Virginia House of Delegates to talk about the road that led her from community organizing to the statehouse, and what that experience has taught her about building real partnerships between policymakers and the packaging industry. Jackie shares how a habit of "minding other people's business" turned into a grassroots homework program for neighborhood kids, then a school board run, and eventually a seat in the General Assembly. She and Cory also dig into their shared experience at See Change Sessions in Vermont, the case for a national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, and why she believes industry has a bigger role to play at the policymaking table than most people realize.

Key Topics Discussed:

•  Jackie's path from Navy veteran and community organizer to Virginia state legislator
• The origin story of her neighborhood "homework house" and how it led to public service
• Reflections on See Change Sessions in Vermont and why the event felt different from a typical industry conference
• How packaging and sustainability professionals can build real relationships with state legislators
• California's SB 54 and the challenges of getting states aligned on Extended Producer Responsibility
• Why Jackie sees packaging waste as a design and systems issue, not a moral one
• Jackie's "6 Cs" framework for guiding her legislative focus (creative, circular, coastal resilience, crime aversion, care, and cyber)
• CitizenU, Jackie's summer civic education program and policy pitch contest for constituents of all ages
• The realities of serving as a citizen legislator in Virginia's part-time General Assembly

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Delegate Jackie Glass
02:14 Journey to Politics: From Community Service to Delegate
04:31 The Impact of C-Change: A Unique Policymaking Experience
08:54 Bridging the Gap: Industry and Politics Collaboration
11:19 The Six Cs: Guiding Principles for Policy
13:34 CitizenU: Empowering Citizens Through Education
15:55 Legislative Projects: Making a Difference in Virginia
19:39 Extended Producer Responsibility: A National Perspective
23:06 The Urgency of Environmental Action
26:06 SSP intro animation v1.mp4

Resources Mentioned:

• Delegate Jackie Hope Glass, Virginia House of Delegates, 93rd District
• See Change Sessions, Burlington, Vermont
• Packaging Matters at See Change Sessions

Contact:

Listeners interested in connecting with Delegate Glass's office about legislation, community programs, or CitizenU can reach out through her official Virginia House of Delegates page.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors sits down with Crystal Bayliss, Executive Director of the U.S. Plastics Pact, to unpack a pivotal year for the organization. Crystal shares how a sustainability sign on an office water cooler sparked her personal journey from food and ingredient procurement into packaging sustainability, and how that path led her to the Pact — first as a member representative, then as a program manager, and eventually to the organization's top leadership role. Cory and Crystal dig into the departure of major member companies ahead of the 2025 targets, why the original goals were always meant to be a "blank sheet of paper" starting point, and what comes next as the Pact rolls out new, more flexible ways for companies to engage. The conversation also covers the recent leadership transition at the Pact, the case for voluntary industry action paving the way for smart regulation, and the newly released Film & Flex Circularity framework tackling one of packaging's most contentious materials.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Crystal's path from procurement into plastics sustainability and up through the U.S. Plastics Pact
• Why major brands (Walmart, Mars, Mondelez, Nestlé) stepped back from the Pact ahead of the 2025 deadline
• The reality behind the 2025 targets: only ~50% of packaging reusable/recyclable/compostable and 11% recycled/bio-based content achieved, against 100% and 30% goals
• New, more flexible engagement tiers coming soon for Pact members with narrower packaging portfolios
• The recent CEO transition and Crystal's move from Director of Strategy & Engagement to Interim CEO to Executive Director
• Voluntary industry action vs. mandatory regulation, and how the Food Safety Modernization Act offers a precedent
• California's SB 54 and the Pact's role advising policymakers
• The new "Journey to Film & Flex Circularity" framework and the unique challenges of flexible film packaging
• Atlantic Packaging's circular stretch film recycling system in North Carolina
• What gives Crystal hope for the future of sustainable packaging amid regulatory uncertainty

Chapters:
 
00:00 The Complexity of Sustainable Packaging
01:00 Crystal Bayliss’ Journey into Sustainability
02:55 Challenges Facing the U.S. Plastics Pact
08:11 Why the 2025 Plastics Targets Fell Short
10:25 Building a Circular Packaging System
13:17 Leadership Changes at the U.S. Plastics Pact
14:45 Voluntary Commitments vs. Government Regulation
18:15 The Challenge of Flexible Film Packaging
20:26 Commercial Film & Stretch Film Recycling
22:09 What’s Next for Sustainable Packaging?

Resources Mentioned:

• U.S. Plastics Pact
• Journey to Film & Flex Circularity: A Framework of Necessary Design, Collection, and End Market Levers
• California SB 54, Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act
• FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Initiative

Contact:

Listeners interested in learning more about the U.S. Plastics Pact or its upcoming membership options can visit usplasticspact.org.

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Connect with Cory

Connect with Cory on LinkedIn here: 
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I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors reconnects with longtime industry friend Emily Williams to discuss her new role leading How2Recycle. Emily traces her path from chemical engineering through roles at Michelman and TC Transcontinental (now ProAmpac) into a career built around product sustainability, policy, and partnerships. The conversation dives into the chaos surrounding California's SB 343 truth-in-labeling law and the recent injunction affecting it, how How2Recycle is guiding members through the uncertainty, and what's ahead at the organization's September 30th event in San Diego. Along the way, Emily and Cory swap stories about being recognized in public, obsessively sorting recycling bins at airports, and the growing culture of pre-competitive collaboration across the packaging industry.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Emily's path from chemical engineering into packaging sustainability, and her new role at How2Recycle
• The evolution of sustainability from a niche "side room" topic to a central industry focus
• The SB 343 injunction: what it does and doesn't change, and How2Recycle's "hold the line" guidance for members
• California's 60/60 recyclability threshold and the confusion it creates for brands
• How companies are responding differently to SB 343, from full compliance to pausing label rollouts
• The label redesign process: consumer studies, working groups, and industry jargon that doesn't translate to shoppers
• Ongoing research into better consumer messaging around cleaning and emptying packaging
• Contamination in recycling streams, including a look at the "wall of shame" at recovery facilities
• The role of trust, transparency, and credibility in keeping recycling systems functional
• Nonprofit advocacy vs. lobbying: how How2Recycle can influence policy within legal limits
• A sneak peek at the September 30th How2Recycle event in San Diego, including a cross-association panel on changing laws like SB 343
• The rise of pre-competitive collaboration as an industry norm
• How2Recycle's expanded member engagement efforts, including booths at Advance and the Summit and high-attendance member town halls

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Emily Williams and the episode
01:01 Emily's background and journey into sustainability
01:45 Evolution of sustainability in the packaging industry
03:08 Role of How to Recycle and Emily’s core competencies
04:02 Upcoming industry event in San Diego
04:50 Emily’s experience at industry events and public recognition
09:20 Legal landscape: SB 343 and recent injunctions
10:00 Impacts of legislation and legal challenges on packaging
12:05 Strategies for compliance and risk management
12:57 Consumer perceptions and labeling challenges
14:02 Designing compliant and effective packaging labels
16:02 Consumer studies and communication strategies
17:06 Waste stream quality and contamination issues
18:56 Optimism and future outlook for recycling and policy
21:01 Preview of the September 30th event and panels
22:02 Advocacy, lobbying, and industry collaboration
24:50 The importance of pre-competitive collaboration
27:01 Member engagement and opportunities at industry events
27:53 Emily’s outreach and town hall initiatives
28:52 Closing remarks and future engagement opportunities

Resources Mentioned:

• How2Recycle
• Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) events: Advance and the Summit
• California SB 343 (Truth in Labeling law)
• Circular Action Alliance (Oregon)
• Ameripen and the PAC Act
• FPA's Fall Flex Forward meeting
• FPI's Spring meetingSCS Global

Contact:

Listeners interested in How2Recycle's labeling program, upcoming events, or member resources can connect with Emily Williams and the How2Recycle team at their September 30th event in San Diego, or at upcoming SPC events including Advance and the Summit this fall.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors talks with Kim Holmes about Oregon's landmark position as the first U.S. state to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. Kim traces her path into sustainability — from a paralegal detour to a master's in urban studies at Portland State University, through hands-on recycling and waste characterization work with Community Environmental Services — before landing in her current role leading Oregon's CAA team. She breaks down what a producer responsibility organization actually does, how Oregon's "shared responsibility" model differs from other states, and what's driving the buildout of the Recycle On network of drop-off sites across the state.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Kim's career path into recycling and sustainability policy
• What the Circular Action Alliance is and how it supports producer compliance across Oregon, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Washington
• Oregon's shared responsibility model between producers, local governments, and haulers
• The Recycle On brand: public education, outreach, and drop-off collection network
• How producer fees are calculated and why they vary state to state
• Buildout of Oregon's 144 planned collection points, including partnerships with transfer stations and Southern Oregon Goodwill
• Materials accepted at drop-off centers (film, rigid plastics, foil, shredded paper, glass) versus the curbside system
• How Recycle On differs from Oregon's Bottle Bill deposit system
• The NAW constitutional challenge to Oregon's EPR law and its narrow preliminary injunction
• EPR's long track record internationally (Canada, Europe, and beyond) versus its newness in the U.S.
• Recent wins: roll cart rollouts in The Dalles, new truck deliveries in Southern Oregon, and transportation cost reimbursement for rural communities
• The Contamination Audit Center and Contamination Reduction Funding mechanism
• Working toward a national responsible end-market verification standard with SCS Global
• How other states are watching Oregon's implementation and where harmonization may emerge

Resources Mentioned:

• Recycle On Oregon page 
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
• SCS Global

Contact:

Listeners can learn more about Oregon's EPR programs, find drop-off locations, and get in touch with the Circular Action Alliance team at recycleon.org/oregon.

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