THIS TOUR IS NOW FULLDown by the River is a guided group bike ride along River Road in St. Charles Parish. It brings you face to face with two powerful forces in Louisiana: the environmental justice movement and local African-American history. It is an evolution of what has traditionally been called a "toxic tour"--a drive-by of polluting sites like dumps, refineries, and chemical plants. Down by the River transforms a litany of depressing sites into powerful beacons of resistance, a lens through which the past and present are applied to today’s environmental movement. Bicycles and helmets are provided. Participants cycle mostly on the levee, next to the Mississippi River, stopping at six historically relevant sites. Co-led by a community organizer from a local grassroots group and the Bike Ride Manager of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
Price: $120
Capacity: 20
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
Monday, April 1
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm (CDT)
Tour
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana HQ
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite people in action to achieve a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast for all. Incorporated in 1988, CRCL represents a unique mix of businesses, local governments, industries, scientific communities, national and local conservation groups, hunters, anglers and a broad spectrum of concerned residents who share a common vision and commitment to the sustainability of coastal Louisiana. The common vision of these varied and diverse interests is the driving strength of CRCL, the most effective and recognized coastal advocacy organization in the state. Recognizing that Louisiana’s coastal land loss will have dramatic impacts on the nation’s energy, navigation and fisheries interests, CRCL works at the state, local and federal levels to ensure that restoring and protecting coastal Louisiana is a top priority for our state and the nation. In addition to our role as advocate and watchdog, we also serve as responsible stewards of Louisiana’s rich coastal wetlands. We facilitate and fund restoration projects through our Native Plants Program and Oyster Shell Recycling Program, and we work diligently to raise awareness and educate others about the importance of preserving and restoring coastal Louisiana. Participants will tour CRCL’s Restoration Headquarters, where we host regular volunteer opportunities through our Oyster Shell Recycling Program and Native Plants Program.
Price: $75
Capacity: 30
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
Monday, April 1
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Tour
Glass Half Full
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
Tour Glass Half Full’s main drop-off and processing facility in New Orleans. See how we transform glass “waste” into a resource that benefits the local community. Get hands-on with our sustainable sand and gravel and meet the Glass Half Full team!
Price: $75
Capacity: 30
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
Tuesday, April 2
Tuesday, April 2
7:15 am - 7:45 am (CDT)
Wellness
Morning Yoga Session
Pool Deck
Start your day on the right foot with a morning yoga class! This class is designed to help you wake up your body and mind, increase your energy levels, and focus your attention for the rest of the day. We will move through a series of gentle poses and stretches, as well as breathing exercises, to help you feel refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
This class is suitable for all levels of experience, so please feel free to join us, whether you are a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner. Mats will be provided, please bring your reusable water bottle.
RSVPs are required to attend the session. RSVP HERE
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
7:30 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Registration
Event Registration and Check-in
Celestin Foyer
Tuesday, April 2
8:00 am - 4:30 pm (CDT)
Exhibit Hall
Exhibit Hall Open
Storyville
Tuesday, April 2
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Imperial 5A
Unlock the full potential of your sustainable packaging journey in a Commence & Connect Meeting with GreenBlue Navigate. This is your opportunity to sit down with our Navigate Advisors for a focused, 25-minute dialogue. Whether you're grappling with material choices, seeking innovative recycling solutions, or aiming for zero-waste goals, we're here to offer tailored advice. We'll provide you with customized strategies and innovative approaches to help you move the needle forward in your packaging progress. Join us to Commence & Connect!
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Yes, You Can - Performing an LCA for your Package
Imperial 12
Life cycle assessments can be an incredibly valuable tool for understanding your package’s environmental performance - do you know how to perform one? In this interactive lab, attendees will perform an LCA using free software and datasets such as OpenLCA and US LCIA. After a short overview of what life cycle assessments are, what they can tell us, and what data they rely on, Dr. Absar will teach attendees how to create a simple but useful model of the environmental impacts of a demo package. Attendees can then use the sample model to compare packaging materials and other design choices in scenario modeling, or use build a model specific to their material or package type.
Note: Attendees must pre-register and download in advance the free software, tutorial video, and datasets for this session. A bill of materials for a sample package will be provided; however attendees may also use their own packaging data. Please plan to use your own laptop.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
There will be a break from 10:30 am to 11:15am
Sponsored by ICPG (Impact Plastics)
Speaker
Dr. Mariya Absar
Quantis
Speaker
Emily Wynne
Quantis
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Panel | Forest Positive as a Sustainable Sourcing Strategy
Celestin A-C
In this session, key stakeholders spearheading the concept and strategies for Forest Positive will share their vision for brands, retailers and consumer goods companies will share their work on the landscapes approach and how global sustainable sourcing plays an integral role in paper packaging sourcing, healthy ecosystems and net zero targets.
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Michele Zollinger
Nestle
Speaker
Laura Hohmann
CDP
Speaker
Jason Metnick
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Panel | (Packaging) Source Reduction in EPR Programs
Empire C-D
The concept of source reduction and reuse has been introduced in Extended Producer Responsibility legislation around the country. Incorporating the concept of source reduction has been present in packaging innovations for some time in the form of optimization and lightweighting. In this session we will link those initiatives to the concepts included in legislation and policy and how can source reduction be an active element in meeting new regulations.
Moderator
Trina Matta
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Valentin Fournel
CITEO
Speaker
Genevieve Dionne
Éco Entreprises Québec
Moderator
Ellie Moss
Perpetual
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Presentation | The Role of Packaging in Decarbonization Goals
Celestin E-D
For consumer products companies, Scope 3 upstream emissions are the vast majority of the carbon footprint and packaging is one of the biggest components of that footprint. We will discuss:
How to tackle scope 3 decarbonization efforts
How to design packaging that enables circularity
How to link these efforts to redesign product packaging, with a lens on consumer needs, cost, and sustainability
Sponsored by NatureWorks
Moderator
Patrick Krieger
PLASTICS Industry Association
Speaker
Abhijit Prabhu
Bain & Co
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | Evolution and Expansion of PET Recycling Infrastructure
Celestin F-H
PET is one of the most used plastic packaging materials in the world and its recycling infrastructure continues to expand to allow for multiple sorting PET streams to be recovered, including new sorting technologies by color. In this session, we will learn from key stakeholders from Material Recovery Facilities investing in these expansions on how technology and new infrastructure will increase PET recycling and what this will mean for circularity and sustainable packaging goals.
Sponsored by Brook + Whittle
Moderator
Adam Gendell
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Marija Massey
Eastman
Speaker
Andrew Jolin
Direct Pack Recycling
Speaker
Jeff Snyder
Rumpke Waste & Recycling
Speaker
Mark Agerton
P&G
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Imperial 5B
Your journey to robust PCR certification is quicker than you think, and you can start making progress at SPC Impact! The Path to Certification program breaks down the steps to getting certified and lets you build your certification program ahead of making a full commitment. In these Accelerator Sessions, we’ll introduce the program and kickoff a core analysis, including:
- PCR Claim Identification: Breaking down specific use cases for sourcing certified PCR - On-pack labeling, reporting on goals, meeting minimum content regulations, and more
- Product Portfolio Construction: Product line assessment and exploration of opportunities to maximize across all areas
- Supply Chain Connection: Targeting critical suppliers and customers to build the RMS Chain of Custody
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
Tuesday, April 2
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Panel | 2024: The year we overcome PCR Sourcing Challenges
Celestin A-C
With 2025 commitments for recycled content and carbon, EPR and Minimum Content policy, and legal action to recycled content claims, it has never been a more necessary but challenging time to source and track PCR utilization in packaging. The issues around data traceability, customer value of claims, and availability of feasible material for sourcing are real but can be solved by working in concert. With representatives from across the supply chain, we’ll assess the challenges and offer paths forward that increase certainty, reduce liability, and achieve the vision of recycling we all need: an increase of PCR utility that leads to benefits for sourcing and reduction of material sent to landfill or the environment.
Sponsored by Fresh-Lock by Presto
Moderator
Ross Bergman
GreenBlue
Speaker
Wesley Porter
Berry Global
Speaker
Brooke Anderson
Keurig Dr Pepper
Speaker
Scott Saunders
KW Plastics
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Presentation | Packaging Strategy: Why a clear long-term vision is critical to futureproof your business/brand
Empire C-D
80% of a product's impact is defined at the design stage so it's vital to design your packaging right at the start it it's lifecycle. Compliance requirements, budget programs and sector roadmap milestones maintain short-term planning cycles for packaging. These factors drive costly, reactive decision-making with high commercial reputational and environmental risk. Global sustainability drivers and mandatory reporting targets, however, required long terms plans.
So how do you factor in a multitude commercial, environmental and social priorities into your packaging roadmap and ensure you are policy-prepared? Tracy will outline why a more strategic approach to packaging is essential to protect your brand and define clear boundaries within which your brand can innovate.
Sponsored by Peel Plastics
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Tracy Sutton
Root
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Panel | Connecting the Packaging Value Chain For Successful Goals Implementation
Celestin E-D
Effective progress towards packaging targets, improved systems and making the most of lessons learned involves all key stakeholders across the packaging value chain. Data and metrics sharing are key to deliver a more coordinated approach to deliver on net zero commitments, packaging reduction and recovery targets. In this session we will hear from a variety of stakeholders representing different parts and roles in the supply chain on how to improve and achieve a more coordinated approach.
Sponsored by Specright
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Marcu Alexander
Danone
Speaker
Shannon Moore
Kellanova
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Presentation | Unveiling Packaging Truths: Consumer Perceptions vs. Carbon Reality
Celestin F-H
Diving into the chasm between consumer perceptions and real-world environmental consequences, we present the results of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) of top-tier meal bar packaging. Our findings illuminate the disparity between consumer convictions and ISO-compliant carbon measurements. Our research emphasizes the preferences consumers display when faced with identical products in compostable, store drop-off, recycle-ready, and landfill-directed packaging, paired with their respective carbon footprints. Join our research team as we unveil how real consumers perceive package design when confronted with the authentic environmental repercussions.
Sponsored by Danimer Scientific
Moderator
Adam Gendell
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Dr. Andrew Hurley
Clemson University
Speaker
Dave McLain
Printpack
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Book Signing | With Scott Cassel
Celestin Foyer
During the first morning break of April 2nd, in the Celestin Foyer Scott Cassel will be signing copies of "Perspectives on Product Stewardship". Quantities are limited so don't miss out.
Speaker
Scott Cassel
Product Stewardship Institute
Tuesday, April 2
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Presentation | Packaging Innovation at Scale Through Successful Partnerships
Celestin A-C
The future for the industry is going to be dependent on true partnerships as well as technological innovation. With a pressing need for more joined up thinking to develop truly sustainable innovation and innovative approaches that work at scale, Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) has been the ‘glue’ for commercially successful innovation partnerships. In this presentation we share our learnings from working across industries and sectors and how we see the future in the context of changing business approaches toward ‘partnerships’ for packaging innovation.
Moderator
Charlotte Dreizen
PLASTICS Industry Association
Speaker
James Harmer
Cambridge Design Partnership
Tuesday, April 2
11:15 am - 11:45 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Presentation | How to reach the 2050 CO2 emissions target set following the Paris Agreement – the case of household packaging in France
Empire C-D
The Paris Agreement of 2016 has set long-term goals to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global temperature increase in this century to 2 degrees Celsius while pursuing efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 degrees. Citeo, together with Carbone 4, has conducted a study to identify the levers of action that need to be put in place for household packaging to contribute to these long-term goals. This study shows, through the study of 2 scenarios (a “sobriety” one and a “pro-technology” one) that it is possible with the activation of very ambitious actions that need to be taken starting today.
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Valentin Fournel
CITEO
Tuesday, April 2
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | The Role of Responsible End Markets in Policy
Celestin F-H
How do markets prepare to meet the developing criteria for “responsible” that might vary from state-to-state? How can states develop criteria that meet their needs but are still harmonized with other states? Are the standards achievable by end markets?
Moderator
Trina Matta
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Pierre Benabides
Lichens Recyclability
Speaker
Eadaoin Quinn
Mars
Speaker
Kate Bailey
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR)
Tuesday, April 2
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Workshop | The Why, How, and What of Reusable Packaging
Celestin E-D
Is reuse imperative to tackling the waste, pollution, and climate crisis? How are learnings from reuse pilots shaping the next wave of action? And what’s now needed to accelerate reusable packaging to the mainstream?
In this workshop, we’ll be unpacking these questions, with insights from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global programmes. Together, we’ll explore what type of creativity, collaboration and commitment is needed to design reuse systems of the future.
Sponsored by Orora
Moderator
Dr. Jon Smieja
GreenBiz Group
Speaker
Mark Buckley
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
11:45 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Fireside Chat | Dr Bronner’s Journey to Refillable Packaging
Empire C-D
In working towards more reusable and refillable packaging solutions, Dr. Bronner’s has gathered important insights from a pilot of a new fiber-based liquid soap refill carton ahead of its national launch with major retailers in 2024. Cartons are an exciting new format for refillable packaging. Hear about Dr. Bronner’s journey from pilot to national launch in this fireside chat.
2:10 - 2:40 pm Keynote + Interview | Lessons from my travels in Wasteland In this opening keynote, Oliver Franklin-Wallis, author of Wasteland will share his insights and experiences about how different countries are tackling their waste streams, and what we can learn about from them. From the plastic pickers in India, the secondhand workers in Ghana to the mining waste challenges in North America, each example will give attendees a look into the value of waste, the concept of reuse and the impacts of waste pollution devasting the land. Speaker: Oliver Franklin-Wallis, Award-winning magazine journalist, whose writing has appeared in WIRED (where he is a contributing editor), British GQ, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Times Magazine, The Sunday Times Magazine, 1843, and many other publications. Author of Wasteland
Moderator: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
2:40 - 3:10 pm TED-Style Talk + Interview | The Surprising Science of Communications with Impact Every decision we make is made with the 1.4kg organ found inside our heads, and yet we know surprising little about the fundamentals of decision making. In this talk you will find out the science behind how we make decisions and the surprising pre-programming that affects how we think in big and small ways. In this talk Dan will cover both that theory as well as real-world examples of using the latest in applied behavioral science to drive impact with some of the worlds stickiest challenges. Speaker: Dan Bennett, Consulting Partner, UK Lead, Ogilvy Growth and Innovation
Moderator: Tom Pollock, Director of Strategic Partnerships, GreenBlue
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Oliver Franklin-Wallis
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Dan Bennett
Ogilvy, Behavioural Science Practice
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
3:10 pm - 3:45 pm (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Main Stage
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Celestin
3:45 - 4:00 pm TED-Style Talk | Hacking the Climate Crisis: Harnessing Hackathons as a form of Climate Action Hackathons are typically short, intense programming contests, with roots in the open-source software movement. In recent years, hackathons have become increasingly prevalent on college campuses around the world, offering community-building and experiential learning opportunities for students and professionals alike. We present a discussion of how Earth Hacks seeks to harness the hackathon innovation model to combat climate issues and drive a justice-focused culture shift in the tech space. Through our focus on utilizing the hackathon innovation model, we curate supportive, inclusive, interdisciplinary environmental hackathons as a mechanism for immersive environmental education and as a method to push forward a constellation of small, impactful environmental projects. Speaker: Sanjana Paul, CoFounder and Executive Director, Earth Hacks
4:00- 4:15 pm TED-Style Talk | Why a Holistic Approach to Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Sustainability is important and how to achieve it Sustainability has risen fast on the business agenda. However, there is still numerous benefits to unlock and untapped opportunities to seize. We will explore how inclusion, equity, and diversity (IE&D) principles play a crucial role in creating sustainable outcomes, that address challenges like climate change and resource scarcity. It’s time to broaden our understanding of sustainability and leverage it, alongside IE&D principles, as a catalyst for positive change in organizations and beyond. Speaker: Ezinne Okoro, Global Chief Client & Culture Strategy Officer, VML
4:15 - 4:30 pm TED-Style Talk | Real Talk: What it Really Takes to Advance Sustainable Packaging through Extended Producer Responsibility Policies Once seen as out of reach in the U.S., Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are now often described as “inevitable” as a growing number of U.S. states pass or explore EPR policies for packaging and other products. Even regulated industry stakeholders are describing EPR policies as a necessary building block for improving recycling outcomes and advancing packaging design innovations and sustainability. Still, state-level policy proposals face significant headwinds, corporate commitments to action on climate and single-use plastics reduction remain unmet, and local recycling systems continue to experience major challenges. Hear a municipal representative’s perspective on what is needed to achieve meaningful and sustainable progress through policy. Speaker: McKenna Morrigan, Strategic Advisor, Waste Prevention and Product Stewardship, Seattle Public Utilities, City of Seattle
4:30- 4:45 pm Joint Q&A with Paul Nowak
4:45 - 5:00 pm Fireside Chat | The Power of Collaboration between The Recycling Partnership and GreenBlue
Speakers: Keefe Harrison, CEO, The Recycling Partnership & Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Speaker
Sanjana Paul
Earth Hacks
Speaker
Ezinne Okoro
VML
Speaker
McKenna Morrigan
Seattle Public Utlities, City of Seattle
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Keefe Harrison
The Recycling Partnership
Sponsored by
Tuesday, April 2
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (CDT)
Evening Social
Evening Social | Faubourg Brewery
Faubourgh Brewery
Hosted by Amcor, SPC Impact’s Evening Social will be hosted at Faubourg Brewery, New Orleans oldest working brewery. Enjoy delicious beers, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and an expansive outdoor space with bocce ball, disc-golf and more whilst networking with your fellow attendees.
Hosted by UPM Raflatac, this SPC Impact Evening Social will be hosted at Port Orleans Brewery, one of the newer members to the New Orleans Craft Brewing family. Sip on spectacular beers, enjoy tasty bites, tour the brewery, and connect with your fellow attendees!
Continue to activate your body and mind with morning yoga! We will move through a series of body and mind strengthening poses and stretches, as well as breathing and mind exercises, to help you feel refreshed and ready for day 2 of SPC Impact!
This class is suitable for all levels of experience, so please feel free to join us, whether you are a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner. Mats will be provided, please bring your reusable water bottle.
RSVPs are required to attend the session. RSVP HERE
Sponsored by
Wednesday, April 3
7:30 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Registration
Event Registration and Check-in
Celestin Foyer
Wednesday, April 3
8:00 am - 4:30 pm (CDT)
Exhibit Hall
Exhibit Hall Open
Storyville
Wednesday, April 3
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Breakfast
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
Wednesday, April 3
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Imperial 5A
Unlock the full potential of your sustainable packaging journey in a Commence & Connect Meeting with GreenBlue Navigate. This is your opportunity to sit down with our Navigate Advisors for a focused, 25-minute dialogue. Whether you're grappling with material choices, seeking innovative recycling solutions, or aiming for zero-waste goals, we're here to offer tailored advice. We'll provide you with customized strategies and innovative approaches to help you move the needle forward in your packaging progress. Join us to Commence & Connect!
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Interactive Lab
How packaging data can shape and drive your business
Imperial 12
The power and reach of packaging data is relatively unchartered territory for most. From consumer marketing to legislative compliance through to achieving sustainability goals and reducing climate change, packaging data is the key.
This workshop will assess the following:
- Current position on your sustainability journey
- Assessment of your current packaging data
- How to unlock your potential to achieve your goals
Packaging data can trigger many assessments and metrics, from end of life recyclability (by territory), carbon analysis, and legislative risks and bans through to consumer facing communication, achieving business objectives and making responsible fact-based decisions pre-commercialization.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
There are trade-offs in trying to balance multiple objectives including carbon emissions, water conservation, functionality and end of life objectives. The audience will learn from the panelists’ experience and have the opportunity to ask questions. They will leave with an understanding of key concerns, how to measure to optimize progress and the types of tools needed to gain clarity.
Sponsored by Kwik-Lok
Moderator
Dr. Jon Smieja
GreenBiz Group
Speaker
Dr. Karen Xiao
Kwik Lok
Speaker
Dr. Viktoria Pakhnyuk
Kwik Lok
Speaker
Tiana Lightfoot Svendsen
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Nathan McKee
Trayak
Sponsored by
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Panel | Elimination: Creative Ways to Make Sure Packaging Doesn’t Become a Problem
Empire C-D
Elimination through better design should be the first step in a company’s journey towards sustainability in packaging. In this session, we’ll see examples of brands and retailers across geographics and sectors that successfully eliminated packaging, making substantial and lasting progress on their reduction goals. Presenters will share examples of both direct elimination approaches, where packaging that doesn’t serve an essential function is directly removed, as well as innovative approaches, where product redesign, technologies, or reformulation help to eliminate unnecessary packaging components.
Sponsored by SGS-IPS Testing
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Matt Swenson
Amazon
Speaker
Amy Merli
Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
Sponsored by
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Presentation | How to Talk About Plastics
Celestin E-D
The 'Many Happy Returns' research project at the University of Sheffield collected and analysed over 4.5 million words of everyday language about plastics. Our linguistics team compared the language used by retailers and manufacturers with that used by the general public and found significant differences between how these two groups conceptualise and communicate their experiences with plastic. This talk will present some of our key findings and the recommendations we published for businesses and other organisations in our 'How to Talk About Plastics' guide.
Sponsored by Kaneka Green Planet
Moderator
Adam Gendell
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Prof. Joanna Gavins
University of Sheffield
Sponsored by
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | Expanding Paper Cup Recycling Programs
Celestin F-H
In this session, the Foodservice Packaging Institute will share the journey to expand curbside paper cup recycling in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina, along with partners and key stakeholders in the region. Learnings and opportunities for increase recycling, better consumer education and less contamination will be discussed as well as how to engage local partners and MRFs.
Sponsored by Inno-Pak
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Ashley Elzinga
Foodservice Packaging Institute
Speaker
Elizabeth Rhue
Sonoco
Speaker
Wendy Worley
NC DEQ, Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service
Sponsored by
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Imperial 5B
Your journey to robust PCR certification is quicker than you think, and you can start making progress at SPC Impact! The Path to Certification program breaks down the steps to getting certified and lets you build your certification program ahead of making a full commitment. In these Accelerator Sessions, we’ll introduce the program and kickoff a core analysis, including:
- PCR Claim Identification: Breaking down specific use cases for sourcing certified PCR - On-pack labeling, reporting on goals, meeting minimum content regulations, and more
- Product Portfolio Construction: Product line assessment and exploration of opportunities to maximize across all areas
- Supply Chain Connection: Targeting critical suppliers and customers to build the RMS Chain of Custody
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
Wednesday, April 3
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Leveraging Spec Data to Action on Sustainability in More Ways than One
Imperial 12
In this 45-min session, attendees will be able to better understand how their specification data can power their sustainability initiatives. Learn how to digitize product and/or packaging data, build reports that align with ever-changing sustainability regulations/reporting requirements, and make proactive, more sustainable decisions based on that data. The session will not only highlight how to benchmark data, but look at YoY reporting trends, and explore seamless integrations with Lifecycle Assessment and Extended Producer Responsibility tools.
Participants should bring their own laptops (we’ll have some in case someone does not have one), an example Bill of Materials (BOM) or Spec (ex: corrugated shipper spec), a completed spec template (provided by Specright)
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
Speaker
Linda Garbis
Specright
Speaker
Katie Exum
Specright
Wednesday, April 3
9:50 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Panel | Unpacking Sustainability: Decoding the Complex Relationship between Waste and Carbon in Packaging
Empire C-D
In this session, the SPC community will gain a multifaceted understanding of packaging trade-offs, focusing on balancing waste reduction and carbon emissions. Participants will learn how carbon and plastic credits can be used as tools for minimizing environmental impact, and gain insights into evaluating credit quality and supporting sustainable solutions - not all credits are created equal. Our speakers will shed light on the varying degrees of rigor and additionality in plastic credit project development, stressing the importance of demand for post-consumer recycled material in driving the success of material recovery facilities. Additionally, they will emphasize the importance of educating consumers and brands about the production impacts of packaging, including water usage, carbon emissions, material consumption, and the influence of packaging weight on transport carbon footprint. This session will empower brands to optimize packaging for minimal waste and carbon impact, driving next-generation design innovation and effectively communicating this to consumers through multiple channels.
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Valerie Hawks
Interact Brands
Speaker
Nicole Sullivan
Cleartrace
Wednesday, April 3
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Presentation | Using Eye-tracking and Ethnographic Research to Understand Consumer Disposal Behavior
Celestin E-D
What do consumers actually do with packaging once it’s in their home, and how does this vary based on materials and messaging? Package InSight by Quad has sought to answer this question with a new study that uses ethnographic experiences to see how consumers dispose of CPG packaging. Participants were given 7-10 empty packages made from different materials, including recyclable packaging with and without H2R labels, compostable packaging, and reusable packaging. They were then asked to dispose of these packages as they would at home and then interviewed on their decision-making process. Hear about how, with the help of eye tracking technology, we are able to observe first-person actions to see what on-pack messaging proves to be most effective at encouraging consumers to make the correct disposal choice.
Sponsored by LG Chem
Companies will benefit from using deep sustainability intelligence and analytics by baselining their packaging portfolio. This will help uncover hidden opportunities, effective sustainability strategies, and lead towards actionable sustainability goals. The key takeaways from this session are:
Harness analytics and sustainability intelligence on your company’s unique portfolio data
Leverage smart feedback guidelines to guide your sustainable design decisions
Simulate what-if scenarios and their impacts on various sustainable strategies
Participants receive an eBook on sustainable packaging strategies In this interactive lab participants will be organized into groups to examine practical sustainability strategies using case studies.
Participants must bring their own laptops.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
Speaker
Prashant Jagtap
Trayak
Speaker
Brittney Esch
Trayak
Wednesday, April 3
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Presentation | The Evolving World of Carbon Removals and Offsetting
Celestin A-C
The carbon market isn't new anymore, but it does seem to continue to rapidly change. What does the evolving world of carbon removals and offsetting mean for forests and forest products? With carbon values increasing and new technologies for carbon capture being developed, what will the impacts be 10 to 25 years from now? This presentation will explore the known, unknowns, trends, and predictions in this changing space, and provide ideas for how companies, consumers, and partners can ensure forests continue to be cared for in ways that sustain the full spectrum of benefits, products, and services.
Speaker
Dr. Jon Smieja
GreenBiz Group
Speaker
Kathryn Fernholz
Dovetail Partners
Wednesday, April 3
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Panel | Source reduction and reuse in California: California’s SB54 sets itself apart from other EPR statutes by requiring source reduction
Empire C-D
In this session we will focus specifically on the State of California and its legislation. How are PROs and their members preparing to meet source reduction goals?
Moderator
Linnea Whitney Skierski
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Dr. Anja Brandon
Ocean Conservancy
Speaker
Shane Buckingham
Circular Action Alliance
Wednesday, April 3
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Making people believe in recycling again, by making them believe in the steel food can
Celestin E-D
The COVID pandemic brought a surge in canned food purchases — including people who may have actively avoided buying food in steel cans in the past. This created an unheard-of trial period for canned food, which checks many sustainable, health and societal boxes for consumers, as they are looking for packaging that helps reduce food waste and is actually recyclable.
But do consumers understand the sustainability benefits of the steel food can enough, and can they be convinced to change their behavior to buy more food packaged in steel cans?
In this session, Kris Hesson, VP of Market Engagement at ERM Shelton, will share the story of a more than three-year journey to answer this question and the campaign, Canned Good, that was developed to close the gap between intent and action, resulting in increased favorability of the steel food can, familiarity of its sustainability benefits, and preference for purchasing the steel food can in regions where the campaign was piloted.
Kris will walk through the initial research and the formation of The Canned Good Coalition, in 2021, to create meaningful preference for the steel food can package’s sustainability benefits. She will talk through how this once-in-a-lifetime snapshot was used to inform a new way of positioning steel food cans as the better choice for sustainable food packaging, and the subsequent pilot campaign and results that show both paradigm and behavioral change, as well as substantial sales increases.
Moderator
Trina Matta
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Kris Hesson
ERM Shelton
Wednesday, April 3
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | How is the Implementation of EPR Going?
Celestin F-H
EPR legislation has passed in four states in the United States. In this session, we will hear from key stakeholders on the state of implementation of the legislation in each state and their predictions on when the impacts will be seen in communities and at the MRF level.
Sponsored by Circular Action Alliance
1:40 - 2:10 pm Fireside Chat | Learning from the past to Elevate and Champion the Black Descendant Community The Descendants Project is an emerging organization committed to the intergenerational healing and flourishing of the Black descendant community in the Louisiana river parishes. The lands of the river parishes hold the intersecting histories of enslavement, settler colonialism, and environmental degradation. Hear from Joy and Jo on their work to champion the voice of the Black descendant community while demanding action that supports the total well-being of Black descendants. Moderator: Tom Pollock, Director of Strategic Partnerships, GreenBlue
Speakers: Dr. Joy Banner and Jo Banner, The Descendants Project
2:10 - 2:25 pm Fireside Chat | The Intersection of Resilience and Sustainability for the City of New Orleans In this fireside chat, we will hear about the work spearheaded by the Office of Resilience to advance policies and projects to reduce their carbon emissions, increase their recovery efforts and prepare the people of New Orleans for the changing climate. Moderator: Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Daniel Jatres, Infrastructure Projects Administrator, City of New Orleans
2:25 - 2:55 pm Fireside Chat | “Recycle Dat” Elevates Recycling at Mardi Gras with Partnerships and Innovative Approaches In the past, the success of Mardi Gras was judged by how much trash went to landfill, and it generates a lot with 2.5 million pounds going to landfill over just 11 days in 2021. That thinking is beginning to change in part due to an initiative called “Recycle Dat” that started in 2023 as a broad partnership to collect aluminum beverage cans, beads, and glass bottles during weekend parades for recycling. In this session, you will hear:
- How this partnership between industry, non-profits, and local government came together and how they all collaborate to execute the initiative
- How the initiative leverages several different ways to engage paradegoers beyond simply putting out recycling receptacles
- How the initiative is able to attract a variety of earned media
- What have been the lessons learned and how the initiative plans to improve/enhance its impact going forward
Moderator: Scott Breen, Vice President of Sustainability, Can Manufacturers Institute
Brett Davis, Director, Grounds Krewe
Kevin Ferguson, Vice President of External Affairs, New Orleans & Company
Anna Nguyen, Public Engagement Director, NOLA Ready
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Jo Banner
The Descendants Project
Speaker
Dr. Joy Banner
The Descendants Project
Speaker
Daniel Jatres
City of New Orleans
Moderator
Scott Breen
Can Manufacturers Institute
Speaker
Brett Davis
Grounds Krewe
Speaker
Kevin Ferguson
New Orleans & Company
Speaker
Anna Nguyen
NOLA Ready
Sponsored by
Wednesday, April 3
2:55 pm - 3:30 pm (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
Wednesday, April 3
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Main Stage
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Celestin
3:30 - 4:00 pm Fireside Chat | Working in Partnership to Extend Circular Practices to the Global South Delterra, Amcor and Mars announced a strategic partnership in 2023 to stem the tide of plastic pollution in the Global South (Indonesia, Brazil and Argentina to start). The goal of this collaboration will be to scale upstream and downstream solutions for a circular plastics economy including data tools to measure plastic footprint, implementing effective recycling programs and innovating material traceability solutions for increased transparency. Hear from the key stakeholders leading this effort on how they are tackling these big goals to solve an ever bigger challenge. Moderator: Charlotte Dreizen, Director Sustainability and Environment, Plastics Industry Association
Panelists:
Allison Lin, Global VP Packaging Sustainability, Mars
Dr. Shannon Bouton, President & CEO, Delterra
David Clark, VP Sustainability, Amcor
4:00- 4:15 pm TED-Style Talk | Designing Our way to a Reuse Revolution What would it take to move reusable packaging from niche to norm, and why should we make that happen? By making different design choices, we can create a circular economy for packaging where it never becomes waste. In this talk, Mark Buckley, co-author of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest publication 'Scaling returnable packaging', will shed light on how industry and policy makers can have a demonstrable impact on tackling packaging waste and the climate crisis. Speaker: Mark Buckley, Strategic Design Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
4:15 - 4:30 pm TED- Style Talk | Unleashing the Power of Packaging Data In this talk Sophie will share lessons learned from the 2+ years of developing the Open 3P standard for packaging data, how it is helping the packaging ecosystem improve the quality, availability and utility of data and support the move to a Circular Economy for packaging and data. Speaker: Sophie Walker, CEO and CoFounder, Dsposal
4:30 - 4:45 pm TED-Style Talk | Danone’s Decarbonization Menu Like many companies, Danone first committed to Science-Based Targets, and then began figuring out how exactly to meet those targets. With a broad product portfolio from beverages to baby food to yogurt, each different packaging format had a multitude of potential decarbonization pathways. Learn how a team at Danone identified and modeled the most realistic and most radical potential packaging changes to understand the carbon footprint reduction potential and build an ambitious roadmap to a low-carbon packaging future. Speaker: Sam Harrington, Director of Packaging Sustainability, R&I, Danone North America
4:45 - 5:00 pm Joint Q&A with Paul Nowak
Moderator
Charlotte Dreizen
PLASTICS Industry Association
Speaker
Allison Lin
Mars
Speaker
Dr. Shannon Bouton
Delterra
Speaker
David Clark
Amcor
Speaker
Mark Buckley
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Speaker
Sophie Walker
Dsposal
Speaker
Sam Harrington
Danone North America
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Sponsored by
Thursday, April 4
Thursday, April 4
7:15 am - 7:45 am (CDT)
Wellness
Morning Yoga Session
Pool Deck
Wrap up your time at SPC Impact in a blissful headspace! Join us for the last morning yoga class where we will move through a series of relaxing and reflective poses and stretches, as well as breathing and mind exercises.
This class is suitable for all levels of experience, so please feel free to join us, whether you are a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner. Mats will be provided, please bring your reusable water bottle.
RSVPs are required to attend the session. RSVP HERE
Sponsored by
Thursday, April 4
7:30 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Registration
Event Registration and Check-in
Celestin
Thursday, April 4
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Breakfast
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Storyville
Thursday, April 4
8:00 am - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Exhibit Hall
Exhibit Hall Open
Storyville
Thursday, April 4
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Imperial 5A
Unlock the full potential of your sustainable packaging journey in a Commence & Connect Meeting with GreenBlue Navigate. This is your opportunity to sit down with our Navigate Advisors for a focused, 25-minute dialogue. Whether you're grappling with material choices, seeking innovative recycling solutions, or aiming for zero-waste goals, we're here to offer tailored advice. We'll provide you with customized strategies and innovative approaches to help you move the needle forward in your packaging progress. Join us to Commence & Connect!
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Practical Steps for a Circular Economy Approach to your Packaging Data
Imperial 12
Come along to this hands-on session where you’ll be guided through the process of adopting Open 3P – either by using the GING data sharing platform or by understanding how you can implement Open 3P in your own systems. Open 3P is a free to use data standard for packaging which is being adopted by a growing number of businesses to help them streamline their data sharing and improve the quality of their packaging data. GING is a not-for-profit data sharing platform built using Open 3P to facilitate the seamless transfer of packaging data along supply chains. Please bring along a sample of your packaging data and a laptop.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
Speaker
Sophie Walker
Dsposal
Speaker
Tom Passmore
Dsposal
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 9:30 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Presentation | Designing Plastics Recycling Systems with GHG-emissions in mind to provide lower impact PCR
Celestin A-C
The mission is clear, increase PCR content in plastic packaging to prove circularity for plastics is real. The expectations at the same time are incredibly high. PCR has to be free of contamination, transparent in color and food grade for many applications. But how can such a product be delivered in an environmentally sound manner by keeping GHG-emissions in mind? This presentation will compare different recycling technologies & costs including their environmental impact. It will also suggest a collaborative path forward for competing technologies and provide perspectives on using alternative end markets for PCR outside of packaging.
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Hendrik Dullinger
EFS Plastics
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 10:00 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Workshop | Packaging Design for Reduction: Reducing carbon impact by reducing packaging while building in shelf appeal, functionality and shelf life
Empire C-D
In this workshop, we will cover:
- The implications of reducing packaging starting with the primary packaging weight and volume but also focused on the number of packaging components, secondary packaging, product waste and shelf life.
- Designing in appealing graphics and functionality while reducing packaging
- Real case studies of successful and not so successful transitions as well as include a real time case study with participants.
Sponsored by ALPLA
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Sal Pellingra
ProAmpac CIC
Speaker
Ben Davis
ProAmpac
Sponsored by
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 9:30 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Panel | Preparing to Launch a Citywide Reusable Cup Program in Galveston, TX
Celestin E-D
Today, there is nowhere you can go in the world to experience an immersive, city-scale reusable foodware system. There are dozens of reusable foodware programs in operation around the U.S. and the world. Yet, we still don’t know what interoperable systems of reusable foodware at scale look like since no interoperable reusable foodware ecosystem has been fully implemented. Perpetual and local partner, Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) aim to change this and lead Galveston to become the first city-scale reusable foodware system in the United States. This discussion will delve into the highly anticipated launch of a city-wide reusable foodware system in Galveston. The team aims to share key tools and insights needed to replicate and scale reuse systems across the world.
Moderator
Ellie Moss
Perpetual
Speaker
Joanie Steinhaus
Turtle Island Restoration Network
Speaker
Marty Miles
Perpetual
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | Producer Town Hall Session
Celestin F-H
Over the last few years, extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies covering packaging have gained significant momentum in the U.S. Four states have enacted packaging EPR laws (Maine, Oregon, California, and Colorado), two states enacted pre-EPR needs assessment laws (Maryland and Illinois), and 11 other states introduced packaging EPR bills in the 2023 legislative session. Effective EPR policies that include consistent elements rely on the collaboration of all key stakeholders – state and local governments, producers, retailers, recyclers, and environmental groups. While it is challenging to find common ground among these stakeholder groups, it is also challenging for each of these groups to find agreement within their own sector. In this session, key stakeholders representing producers from different industry sectors will have an open dialogue regarding:
- Which elements of packaging EPR bills are most important, and of most concern, to producers?
- What are some of the most challenging topics that need to be explored in such a dialogue?
- What factors have led to producers being more engaged, and even accepting, of packaging EPR bills?
- Under what conditions would producers be interested in engaging with other stakeholders in a structured dialogue with the goal of developing a model state or federal bill that results in greater national policy consistency?
- Why do we see so few individual brands visibly support packaging EPR bills? Do you believe that this will change over time?
Event attendees will get the chance to ask their questions related to these topics during the session.
Moderator
Scott Cassel
Product Stewardship Institute
Speaker
Neil Menezes
General Mills
Speaker
Dan Felton
AMERIPEN
Speaker
Carol Patterson
Foodservice Packaging Institute
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Imperial 5B
Your journey to robust PCR certification is quicker than you think, and you can start making progress at SPC Impact! The Path to Certification program breaks down the steps to getting certified and lets you build your certification program ahead of making a full commitment. In these Accelerator Sessions, we’ll introduce the program and kickoff a core analysis, including:
- PCR Claim Identification: Breaking down specific use cases for sourcing certified PCR - On-pack labeling, reporting on goals, meeting minimum content regulations, and more
- Product Portfolio Construction: Product line assessment and exploration of opportunities to maximize across all areas
- Supply Chain Connection: Targeting critical suppliers and customers to build the RMS Chain of Custody
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
Thursday, April 4
9:30 am - 10:00 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Presentation | Benchmarking Partners for Responsible Sourcing
Celestin A-C
Decisions regarding the choice of packaging materials have historically revolved around the trade-offs between functionality, aesthetics, and cost. However, now that brand owners are being held to account for their Scope 3 sustainability impacts the decision-making process has arguably become more complex. As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical aspect of business practices, the question now arises: how can you discern whether a supplier is a suitable partner for sustainable packaging? In this presentation, we will delve into the sustainable packaging goals of leading brands and explore how sustainability benchmarking can help identify best-in-class sourcing partners.
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Katie Mencke
AFRY Management Consulting
Thursday, April 4
9:40 am - 10:25 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Panel | From Pantry to Bin: Helping Consumers Recycle More
Celestin E-D
Customers care about the environment so how can we help them be positive contributors? In this panel, you’ll hear from CPGs and manufacturers to understand how we can influence change through every part of the supply chain and make considering the end-of-life for a package even easier.
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Sabrina Dixon-Ridges
Sonoco
Speaker
Amber Barron
P&G
Speaker
Steve Marko
Tillamook
Speaker
David Luttenberger
Mintel
Thursday, April 4
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Packaging Data for EPR reporting
Imperial 12
This interactive Lab will cover the best practice for managing packaging data and converting it to EPR reporting requirements. Whilst this will be US focussed, we will cover a wider focus around the world:
- Data points needed for EPR reporting
- Structure of data needed
- Converting data to EPR reports
- Where to start if you haven’t got any data!
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
Speaker
Michelle Carvell
Lorax Compliance
Thursday, April 4
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Presentation | Packaging Sustainability ‘North Star’ - What makes Packaging ‘Sustainable’ and How Best to Assess Impact
Empire C-D
When it comes to packaging, brand owners are facing growing challenges in measuring and prioritizing sustainability characteristics, often leading to contradictory conclusions, such as the choice between plastic and paper packaging. Compounded by the fact that many companies are signaling warnings about their ability to hit previously committed sustainability goals for packaging or overall net zero carbon emissions targets, the industry and vocal stakeholder groups are increasingly becoming concerned. We will discuss in this presentation ideas and a call to action for establishing a common understanding and measurement framework for sustainable packaging. This will include consideration of a comprehensive set of sustainability, financial, social well-being, and circular principles anchored in the idea that carbon emissions is perhaps the most important goal.
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Brent Nelson
Meta
Thursday, April 4
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Panel | Protective Packaging in Retail, A Case Study in Collaborative Value Chain Innovation
Celestin A-C
In this session key stakeholders representing different parts of the packaging value chain will share their experiences as they work in collaboration to achieve a sustainable packaging goal in protective packaging, to reduce carbon emissions and improve responsible sourcing. Centered on a collaborative project between a retailer of home products and a packaging manufacturer we will hear the intricacies of meeting consumer expectations, sustainability goals and preserving high-value products in transit.
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Jennifer Lawrence
Pregis
Speaker
Daché Davidson
Pregis
Speaker
Amy Leonard
Crate & Barrel
Thursday, April 4
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Thursday, April 4
11:00 am - 12:10 pm (CDT)
Film Screening
The Scale of Hope
Empire C-D
Molly Kawahata on climate, climbing and the fight for systemic change.
As a former climate advisor to the Obama White House and an ice climber with dreams of climbing steep mountains, Molly has dedicated her life to taking on seemingly insurmountable challenges. But it’s her intimate battle with mental health that gives her a profound understanding of how to harness the power of the human mind to create change. “The Scale of Hope” follows Molly as she sets out on an expedition into the Alaska Range while working to create a new climate narrative that centers her favorite question – “What can I do to help?” – with a surprising answer. It’s a story about struggle, hope, and what it will take to solve the greatest issue of our time.
Speaker
Molly Kawahata
Thursday, April 4
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Panel | Achieving Zero Resin Loss: Keeping Plastic Out of the Environment and Within the Circular Economy
Celestin A-C
At every stage of the plastic value chain, it’s critical that resin is handled securely to prevent loss into the environment. Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) is an industry-led program that supports companies in doing just that, from material suppliers to processors, across more than 60 countries globally. Join three industry leaders in this conversation to learn how they’re working towards zero resin loss and how OCS is becoming more robust, including its recently launched, facility-level inspection program.
Moderator
Charlotte Dreizen
PLASTICS Industry Association
Speaker
John Butow
DuPont EHS Center of Excellence
Speaker
Tiffany Fisher
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Speaker
Larry Josey
Braskem
Thursday, April 4
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Panel | Building Energetic and Meaningful Partnerships to Drive Change
Celestin E-D
In this session, two key stakeholders representing different parts of the value chain, will engage in vibrant conversation on the roles of Engineer/Sustainability support (Marks/SGS – Neema) and Product Manufacturing (Perrigo – Steve) during a project. The session will focus on the opportunities and challenges they face as they try to make substantive changes to the packaging we deliver to the marketplace. They will openly discuss the push-pull partnerships at play and be transparent regarding some current actions and focus areas.
Sponsored by SmartSolve
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Neema Pourian
Marks
Speaker
Steve Ramus
Perrigo
Speaker
Mike Wier
CVS Health
Sponsored by
Thursday, April 4
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Workshop | Recyclability with the Recyclers
Celestin F-H
Come learn the ‘why’ behind product and packaging recyclability, directly from the recyclers who receive, sort, and process your material. How exactly does material flow through a MRF? Why are certain types of contamination problematic? What happens at the next stage of processing for each material type? What are the processing technologies in use today, and how do they impact recyclability? This session will give the audience an understanding of the facilities and operations throughout the country, and how all their technological capabilities and complexities come together to impact whether a customer is directed to recycle or landfill a package.
Moderator
Natalie Betts
ISRI
Speaker
Stephanie Baker
KW Plastics
Speaker
Katie Drews
Eureka Recycling
Speaker
Phil Slesinski
International Paper
Thursday, April 4
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Unpacking Consumer Behavior: The Influence of Sustainable Packaging Claims on Buying Decisions
Imperial 12
Join us as we delve into the intricate relationship between consumer behavior and sustainable packaging claims. We'll explore the evolving landscape of sustainable packaging claims across various retail categories and unveil key insights into how these claims impact purchasing decisions. Find out the emerging trends in sustainable claims across the store, discern which product categories are leading the sustainability charge, and discover actionable strategies to leverage consumer preferences for sustainable packaging in your business practice.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
1:35 - 2:25 pm Keynote | Building a More Hopeful Sustainable Packaging Industry Hope can be a powerful tool in motivating teams, aligning visions, and taking action on the climate crisis. Communications expert and climate veteran, Molly Kawahata, delves into the fascinating realm of Hope within the workplace, presenting the science behind its potential to transform organizations -- impacting everything from retention to employee wellness. Molly leverages profound insights in behavioral change to empower individuals and organizations to not only envision a brighter future, but also realize their collective power to create it. Moderator: Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Speaker: Molly Kawahata, Strategist, Advocate, and former Climate Advisor at the Obama White House and Founder of Systemic Impact Strategies
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Molly Kawahata
Sponsored by
Thursday, April 4
2:25 pm - 2:55 pm (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
Thursday, April 4
2:55 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Main Stage
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Celestin
2:55 - 3:05 pm Flash Talk | SPC’s Innovation Trends Report SPC’s first-ever Innovation Trends Report will highlight the top five innovation trends based on what we’re seeing in the sustainable packaging space across a range of formats. In this session, we’ll give a preview of the report’s innovation categories and showcase examples of the leaders starting to bring these solutions to their packaging. Speaker: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
3:05 - 3:30 pm Panel | Innovation Wish List: What’s Missing and How New Solutions Can Scale Hear the judges of the 2024 SPC Innovator Awards reflect on how far sustainable packaging innovation has come and what’s still missing: the packaging designs, materials, technologies, and systems-level changes they’d like to see in the coming years, as well as how existing today’s innovations can scale to become mainstream solutions. Moderator: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
Panelists:
Dr. Andrew Hurley, Clemson University
Camille Corr Chism, Indigo Packaging
Allison Lin, Mars
SPC Member Companies are always hard at work driving innovation in their packaging formats and designs, material choices, and problem-solving for sustainability challenges. The 2024 winners for the SPC Innovator Awards are no exception - join us as we announce the latest crop of winners in packaging materials, recovery practices, and overall packaging system design. MC’s: Paul Nowak and Olga Kachook
3:50- 4:00 pm Closing Remarks and Conclusion of Event
Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Dr. Andrew Hurley
Clemson University
Speaker
Allison Lin
Mars
Speaker
Camille Corr Chism
Michigan State University
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Sponsored by
Tours
Tours
12:20 pm - 5:45 pm (CDT)
Tour
FULL - Down by the River Bike Tour
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
THIS TOUR IS NOW FULLDown by the River is a guided group bike ride along River Road in St. Charles Parish. It brings you face to face with two powerful forces in Louisiana: the environmental justice movement and local African-American history. It is an evolution of what has traditionally been called a "toxic tour"--a drive-by of polluting sites like dumps, refineries, and chemical plants. Down by the River transforms a litany of depressing sites into powerful beacons of resistance, a lens through which the past and present are applied to today’s environmental movement. Bicycles and helmets are provided. Participants cycle mostly on the levee, next to the Mississippi River, stopping at six historically relevant sites. Co-led by a community organizer from a local grassroots group and the Bike Ride Manager of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
Price: $120
Capacity: 20
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
Tours
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm (CDT)
Tour
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana HQ
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite people in action to achieve a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast for all. Incorporated in 1988, CRCL represents a unique mix of businesses, local governments, industries, scientific communities, national and local conservation groups, hunters, anglers and a broad spectrum of concerned residents who share a common vision and commitment to the sustainability of coastal Louisiana. The common vision of these varied and diverse interests is the driving strength of CRCL, the most effective and recognized coastal advocacy organization in the state. Recognizing that Louisiana’s coastal land loss will have dramatic impacts on the nation’s energy, navigation and fisheries interests, CRCL works at the state, local and federal levels to ensure that restoring and protecting coastal Louisiana is a top priority for our state and the nation. In addition to our role as advocate and watchdog, we also serve as responsible stewards of Louisiana’s rich coastal wetlands. We facilitate and fund restoration projects through our Native Plants Program and Oyster Shell Recycling Program, and we work diligently to raise awareness and educate others about the importance of preserving and restoring coastal Louisiana. Participants will tour CRCL’s Restoration Headquarters, where we host regular volunteer opportunities through our Oyster Shell Recycling Program and Native Plants Program.
Price: $75
Capacity: 30
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
Tours
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Tour
Glass Half Full
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
Tour Glass Half Full’s main drop-off and processing facility in New Orleans. See how we transform glass “waste” into a resource that benefits the local community. Get hands-on with our sustainable sand and gravel and meet the Glass Half Full team!
Price: $75
Capacity: 30
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
Evening Socials
Evening Socials
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (CDT)
Evening Social
Evening Social | Faubourg Brewery
Faubourgh Brewery
Hosted by Amcor, SPC Impact’s Evening Social will be hosted at Faubourg Brewery, New Orleans oldest working brewery. Enjoy delicious beers, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and an expansive outdoor space with bocce ball, disc-golf and more whilst networking with your fellow attendees.
Hosted by UPM Raflatac, this SPC Impact Evening Social will be hosted at Port Orleans Brewery, one of the newer members to the New Orleans Craft Brewing family. Sip on spectacular beers, enjoy tasty bites, tour the brewery, and connect with your fellow attendees!
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12:00 pm - 2:30 pm (CDT)
Celestin Foyer
Registration Check-in for Tour Participants
Registration
Monday, April 1
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm (CDT)
Registration
Registration Check-in for Tour Participants
Celestin Foyer
12:20 pm - 5:45 pm (CDT)
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
FULL - Down by the River Bike Tour
Tour
Monday, April 1
12:20 pm - 5:45 pm (CDT)
Tour
FULL - Down by the River Bike Tour
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
THIS TOUR IS NOW FULLDown by the River is a guided group bike ride along River Road in St. Charles Parish. It brings you face to face with two powerful forces in Louisiana: the environmental justice movement and local African-American history. It is an evolution of what has traditionally been called a "toxic tour"--a drive-by of polluting sites like dumps, refineries, and chemical plants. Down by the River transforms a litany of depressing sites into powerful beacons of resistance, a lens through which the past and present are applied to today’s environmental movement. Bicycles and helmets are provided. Participants cycle mostly on the levee, next to the Mississippi River, stopping at six historically relevant sites. Co-led by a community organizer from a local grassroots group and the Bike Ride Manager of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
Price: $120
Capacity: 20
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm (CDT)
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana HQ
Tour
Monday, April 1
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm (CDT)
Tour
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana HQ
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite people in action to achieve a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast for all. Incorporated in 1988, CRCL represents a unique mix of businesses, local governments, industries, scientific communities, national and local conservation groups, hunters, anglers and a broad spectrum of concerned residents who share a common vision and commitment to the sustainability of coastal Louisiana. The common vision of these varied and diverse interests is the driving strength of CRCL, the most effective and recognized coastal advocacy organization in the state. Recognizing that Louisiana’s coastal land loss will have dramatic impacts on the nation’s energy, navigation and fisheries interests, CRCL works at the state, local and federal levels to ensure that restoring and protecting coastal Louisiana is a top priority for our state and the nation. In addition to our role as advocate and watchdog, we also serve as responsible stewards of Louisiana’s rich coastal wetlands. We facilitate and fund restoration projects through our Native Plants Program and Oyster Shell Recycling Program, and we work diligently to raise awareness and educate others about the importance of preserving and restoring coastal Louisiana. Participants will tour CRCL’s Restoration Headquarters, where we host regular volunteer opportunities through our Oyster Shell Recycling Program and Native Plants Program.
Price: $75
Capacity: 30
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
Glass Half Full
Tour
Monday, April 1
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Tour
Glass Half Full
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
Tour Glass Half Full’s main drop-off and processing facility in New Orleans. See how we transform glass “waste” into a resource that benefits the local community. Get hands-on with our sustainable sand and gravel and meet the Glass Half Full team!
Price: $75
Capacity: 30
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
7:15 am - 7:45 am (CDT)
Pool Deck
Morning Yoga Session
Wellness
Tuesday, April 2
7:15 am - 7:45 am (CDT)
Wellness
Morning Yoga Session
Pool Deck
Start your day on the right foot with a morning yoga class! This class is designed to help you wake up your body and mind, increase your energy levels, and focus your attention for the rest of the day. We will move through a series of gentle poses and stretches, as well as breathing exercises, to help you feel refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
This class is suitable for all levels of experience, so please feel free to join us, whether you are a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner. Mats will be provided, please bring your reusable water bottle.
RSVPs are required to attend the session. RSVP HERE
Sponsored by
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Storyville
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
Tuesday, April 2
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE' data-start-num="52" data-end-num="92" data-date-id="a98b38066bfc">
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Imperial 5A
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Meetings
Tuesday, April 2
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Imperial 5A
Unlock the full potential of your sustainable packaging journey in a Commence & Connect Meeting with GreenBlue Navigate. This is your opportunity to sit down with our Navigate Advisors for a focused, 25-minute dialogue. Whether you're grappling with material choices, seeking innovative recycling solutions, or aiming for zero-waste goals, we're here to offer tailored advice. We'll provide you with customized strategies and innovative approaches to help you move the needle forward in your packaging progress. Join us to Commence & Connect!
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
9:00 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Imperial 12
Yes, You Can - Performing an LCA for your Package
Interactive Lab
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Yes, You Can - Performing an LCA for your Package
Imperial 12
Life cycle assessments can be an incredibly valuable tool for understanding your package’s environmental performance - do you know how to perform one? In this interactive lab, attendees will perform an LCA using free software and datasets such as OpenLCA and US LCIA. After a short overview of what life cycle assessments are, what they can tell us, and what data they rely on, Dr. Absar will teach attendees how to create a simple but useful model of the environmental impacts of a demo package. Attendees can then use the sample model to compare packaging materials and other design choices in scenario modeling, or use build a model specific to their material or package type.
Note: Attendees must pre-register and download in advance the free software, tutorial video, and datasets for this session. A bill of materials for a sample package will be provided; however attendees may also use their own packaging data. Please plan to use your own laptop.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
There will be a break from 10:30 am to 11:15am
Sponsored by ICPG (Impact Plastics)
Speaker
Dr. Mariya Absar
Quantis
Speaker
Emily Wynne
Quantis
Sponsored by
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Celestin A-C
Panel | Forest Positive as a Sustainable Sourcing Strategy
Strategic Sourcing
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Panel | Forest Positive as a Sustainable Sourcing Strategy
Celestin A-C
In this session, key stakeholders spearheading the concept and strategies for Forest Positive will share their vision for brands, retailers and consumer goods companies will share their work on the landscapes approach and how global sustainable sourcing plays an integral role in paper packaging sourcing, healthy ecosystems and net zero targets.
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Michele Zollinger
Nestle
Speaker
Laura Hohmann
CDP
Speaker
Jason Metnick
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Empire C-D
Panel | (Packaging) Source Reduction in EPR Programs
Starting with Reduction
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Panel | (Packaging) Source Reduction in EPR Programs
Empire C-D
The concept of source reduction and reuse has been introduced in Extended Producer Responsibility legislation around the country. Incorporating the concept of source reduction has been present in packaging innovations for some time in the form of optimization and lightweighting. In this session we will link those initiatives to the concepts included in legislation and policy and how can source reduction be an active element in meeting new regulations.
Moderator
Trina Matta
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Valentin Fournel
CITEO
Speaker
Genevieve Dionne
Éco Entreprises Québec
Moderator
Ellie Moss
Perpetual
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Presentation | The Role of Packaging in Decarbonization Goals
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Presentation | The Role of Packaging in Decarbonization Goals
Celestin E-D
For consumer products companies, Scope 3 upstream emissions are the vast majority of the carbon footprint and packaging is one of the biggest components of that footprint. We will discuss:
How to tackle scope 3 decarbonization efforts
How to design packaging that enables circularity
How to link these efforts to redesign product packaging, with a lens on consumer needs, cost, and sustainability
Sponsored by NatureWorks
Moderator
Patrick Krieger
PLASTICS Industry Association
Speaker
Abhijit Prabhu
Bain & Co
Sponsored by
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Celestin F-H
Panel | Evolution and Expansion of PET Recycling Infrastructure
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | Evolution and Expansion of PET Recycling Infrastructure
Celestin F-H
PET is one of the most used plastic packaging materials in the world and its recycling infrastructure continues to expand to allow for multiple sorting PET streams to be recovered, including new sorting technologies by color. In this session, we will learn from key stakeholders from Material Recovery Facilities investing in these expansions on how technology and new infrastructure will increase PET recycling and what this will mean for circularity and sustainable packaging goals.
Sponsored by Brook + Whittle
Moderator
Adam Gendell
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Marija Massey
Eastman
Speaker
Andrew Jolin
Direct Pack Recycling
Speaker
Jeff Snyder
Rumpke Waste & Recycling
Speaker
Mark Agerton
P&G
Sponsored by
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Imperial 5B
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Meetings
Tuesday, April 2
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Imperial 5B
Your journey to robust PCR certification is quicker than you think, and you can start making progress at SPC Impact! The Path to Certification program breaks down the steps to getting certified and lets you build your certification program ahead of making a full commitment. In these Accelerator Sessions, we’ll introduce the program and kickoff a core analysis, including:
- PCR Claim Identification: Breaking down specific use cases for sourcing certified PCR - On-pack labeling, reporting on goals, meeting minimum content regulations, and more
- Product Portfolio Construction: Product line assessment and exploration of opportunities to maximize across all areas
- Supply Chain Connection: Targeting critical suppliers and customers to build the RMS Chain of Custody
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Celestin A-C
Panel | 2024: The year we overcome PCR Sourcing Challenges
Strategic Sourcing
Tuesday, April 2
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Panel | 2024: The year we overcome PCR Sourcing Challenges
Celestin A-C
With 2025 commitments for recycled content and carbon, EPR and Minimum Content policy, and legal action to recycled content claims, it has never been a more necessary but challenging time to source and track PCR utilization in packaging. The issues around data traceability, customer value of claims, and availability of feasible material for sourcing are real but can be solved by working in concert. With representatives from across the supply chain, we’ll assess the challenges and offer paths forward that increase certainty, reduce liability, and achieve the vision of recycling we all need: an increase of PCR utility that leads to benefits for sourcing and reduction of material sent to landfill or the environment.
Sponsored by Fresh-Lock by Presto
Moderator
Ross Bergman
GreenBlue
Speaker
Wesley Porter
Berry Global
Speaker
Brooke Anderson
Keurig Dr Pepper
Speaker
Scott Saunders
KW Plastics
Sponsored by
So how do you factor in a multitude commercial, environmental and social priorities into your packaging roadmap and ensure you are policy-prepared? Tracy will outline why a more strategic approach to packaging is essential to protect your brand and define clear boundaries within which your brand can innovate.
Sponsored by Peel Plastics' data-start-num="59" data-end-num="62" data-date-id="a98b38066bfc">
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Empire C-D
Presentation | Packaging Strategy: Why a clear long-term vision is critical to futureproof your business/brand
Starting with Reduction
Tuesday, April 2
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Presentation | Packaging Strategy: Why a clear long-term vision is critical to futureproof your business/brand
Empire C-D
80% of a product's impact is defined at the design stage so it's vital to design your packaging right at the start it it's lifecycle. Compliance requirements, budget programs and sector roadmap milestones maintain short-term planning cycles for packaging. These factors drive costly, reactive decision-making with high commercial reputational and environmental risk. Global sustainability drivers and mandatory reporting targets, however, required long terms plans.
So how do you factor in a multitude commercial, environmental and social priorities into your packaging roadmap and ensure you are policy-prepared? Tracy will outline why a more strategic approach to packaging is essential to protect your brand and define clear boundaries within which your brand can innovate.
Sponsored by Peel Plastics
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Tracy Sutton
Root
Sponsored by
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Panel | Connecting the Packaging Value Chain For Successful Goals Implementation
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Tuesday, April 2
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Panel | Connecting the Packaging Value Chain For Successful Goals Implementation
Celestin E-D
Effective progress towards packaging targets, improved systems and making the most of lessons learned involves all key stakeholders across the packaging value chain. Data and metrics sharing are key to deliver a more coordinated approach to deliver on net zero commitments, packaging reduction and recovery targets. In this session we will hear from a variety of stakeholders representing different parts and roles in the supply chain on how to improve and achieve a more coordinated approach.
Sponsored by Specright
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Marcu Alexander
Danone
Speaker
Shannon Moore
Kellanova
Sponsored by
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Celestin F-H
Presentation | Unveiling Packaging Truths: Consumer Perceptions vs. Carbon Reality
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Tuesday, April 2
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Presentation | Unveiling Packaging Truths: Consumer Perceptions vs. Carbon Reality
Celestin F-H
Diving into the chasm between consumer perceptions and real-world environmental consequences, we present the results of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) of top-tier meal bar packaging. Our findings illuminate the disparity between consumer convictions and ISO-compliant carbon measurements. Our research emphasizes the preferences consumers display when faced with identical products in compostable, store drop-off, recycle-ready, and landfill-directed packaging, paired with their respective carbon footprints. Join our research team as we unveil how real consumers perceive package design when confronted with the authentic environmental repercussions.
Sponsored by Danimer Scientific
Moderator
Adam Gendell
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Dr. Andrew Hurley
Clemson University
Speaker
Dave McLain
Printpack
Sponsored by
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Storyville
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Networking Break
Tuesday, April 2
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Celestin Foyer
Book Signing | With Scott Cassel
Tuesday, April 2
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Book Signing | With Scott Cassel
Celestin Foyer
During the first morning break of April 2nd, in the Celestin Foyer Scott Cassel will be signing copies of "Perspectives on Product Stewardship". Quantities are limited so don't miss out.
Speaker
Scott Cassel
Product Stewardship Institute
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin A-C
Presentation | Packaging Innovation at Scale Through Successful Partnerships
Strategic Sourcing
Tuesday, April 2
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Presentation | Packaging Innovation at Scale Through Successful Partnerships
Celestin A-C
The future for the industry is going to be dependent on true partnerships as well as technological innovation. With a pressing need for more joined up thinking to develop truly sustainable innovation and innovative approaches that work at scale, Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) has been the ‘glue’ for commercially successful innovation partnerships. In this presentation we share our learnings from working across industries and sectors and how we see the future in the context of changing business approaches toward ‘partnerships’ for packaging innovation.
Moderator
Charlotte Dreizen
PLASTICS Industry Association
Speaker
James Harmer
Cambridge Design Partnership
11:15 am - 11:45 am (CDT)
Empire C-D
Presentation | How to reach the 2050 CO2 emissions target set following the Paris Agreement – the case of household packaging in France
Starting with Reduction
Tuesday, April 2
11:15 am - 11:45 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Presentation | How to reach the 2050 CO2 emissions target set following the Paris Agreement – the case of household packaging in France
Empire C-D
The Paris Agreement of 2016 has set long-term goals to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global temperature increase in this century to 2 degrees Celsius while pursuing efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 degrees. Citeo, together with Carbone 4, has conducted a study to identify the levers of action that need to be put in place for household packaging to contribute to these long-term goals. This study shows, through the study of 2 scenarios (a “sobriety” one and a “pro-technology” one) that it is possible with the activation of very ambitious actions that need to be taken starting today.
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Valentin Fournel
CITEO
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin F-H
Panel | The Role of Responsible End Markets in Policy
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Tuesday, April 2
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | The Role of Responsible End Markets in Policy
Celestin F-H
How do markets prepare to meet the developing criteria for “responsible” that might vary from state-to-state? How can states develop criteria that meet their needs but are still harmonized with other states? Are the standards achievable by end markets?
Moderator
Trina Matta
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Pierre Benabides
Lichens Recyclability
Speaker
Eadaoin Quinn
Mars
Speaker
Kate Bailey
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR)
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Workshop | The Why, How, and What of Reusable Packaging
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Tuesday, April 2
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Workshop | The Why, How, and What of Reusable Packaging
Celestin E-D
Is reuse imperative to tackling the waste, pollution, and climate crisis? How are learnings from reuse pilots shaping the next wave of action? And what’s now needed to accelerate reusable packaging to the mainstream?
In this workshop, we’ll be unpacking these questions, with insights from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global programmes. Together, we’ll explore what type of creativity, collaboration and commitment is needed to design reuse systems of the future.
Sponsored by Orora
Moderator
Dr. Jon Smieja
GreenBiz Group
Speaker
Mark Buckley
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Sponsored by
11:45 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Empire C-D
Fireside Chat | Dr Bronner’s Journey to Refillable Packaging
Starting with Reduction
Tuesday, April 2
11:45 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Fireside Chat | Dr Bronner’s Journey to Refillable Packaging
Empire C-D
In working towards more reusable and refillable packaging solutions, Dr. Bronner’s has gathered important insights from a pilot of a new fiber-based liquid soap refill carton ahead of its national launch with major retailers in 2024. Cartons are an exciting new format for refillable packaging. Hear about Dr. Bronner’s journey from pilot to national launch in this fireside chat.
2:10 - 2:40 pm Keynote + Interview | Lessons from my travels in Wasteland In this opening keynote, Oliver Franklin-Wallis, author of Wasteland will share his insights and experiences about how different countries are tackling their waste streams, and what we can learn about from them. From the plastic pickers in India, the secondhand workers in Ghana to the mining waste challenges in North America, each example will give attendees a look into the value of waste, the concept of reuse and the impacts of waste pollution devasting the land. Speaker: Oliver Franklin-Wallis, Award-winning magazine journalist, whose writing has appeared in WIRED (where he is a contributing editor), British GQ, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Times Magazine, The Sunday Times Magazine, 1843, and many other publications. Author of Wasteland
Moderator: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
2:40 - 3:10 pm TED-Style Talk + Interview | The Surprising Science of Communications with Impact Every decision we make is made with the 1.4kg organ found inside our heads, and yet we know surprising little about the fundamentals of decision making. In this talk you will find out the science behind how we make decisions and the surprising pre-programming that affects how we think in big and small ways. In this talk Dan will cover both that theory as well as real-world examples of using the latest in applied behavioral science to drive impact with some of the worlds stickiest challenges. Speaker: Dan Bennett, Consulting Partner, UK Lead, Ogilvy Growth and Innovation
Moderator: Tom Pollock, Director of Strategic Partnerships, GreenBlue
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Oliver Franklin-Wallis
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Dan Bennett
Ogilvy, Behavioural Science Practice
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Sponsored by
3:10 pm - 3:45 pm (CDT)
Storyville
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Networking Break
Tuesday, April 2
3:10 pm - 3:45 pm (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Main Stage
Tuesday, April 2
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Main Stage
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Celestin
3:45 - 4:00 pm TED-Style Talk | Hacking the Climate Crisis: Harnessing Hackathons as a form of Climate Action Hackathons are typically short, intense programming contests, with roots in the open-source software movement. In recent years, hackathons have become increasingly prevalent on college campuses around the world, offering community-building and experiential learning opportunities for students and professionals alike. We present a discussion of how Earth Hacks seeks to harness the hackathon innovation model to combat climate issues and drive a justice-focused culture shift in the tech space. Through our focus on utilizing the hackathon innovation model, we curate supportive, inclusive, interdisciplinary environmental hackathons as a mechanism for immersive environmental education and as a method to push forward a constellation of small, impactful environmental projects. Speaker: Sanjana Paul, CoFounder and Executive Director, Earth Hacks
4:00- 4:15 pm TED-Style Talk | Why a Holistic Approach to Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Sustainability is important and how to achieve it Sustainability has risen fast on the business agenda. However, there is still numerous benefits to unlock and untapped opportunities to seize. We will explore how inclusion, equity, and diversity (IE&D) principles play a crucial role in creating sustainable outcomes, that address challenges like climate change and resource scarcity. It’s time to broaden our understanding of sustainability and leverage it, alongside IE&D principles, as a catalyst for positive change in organizations and beyond. Speaker: Ezinne Okoro, Global Chief Client & Culture Strategy Officer, VML
4:15 - 4:30 pm TED-Style Talk | Real Talk: What it Really Takes to Advance Sustainable Packaging through Extended Producer Responsibility Policies Once seen as out of reach in the U.S., Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are now often described as “inevitable” as a growing number of U.S. states pass or explore EPR policies for packaging and other products. Even regulated industry stakeholders are describing EPR policies as a necessary building block for improving recycling outcomes and advancing packaging design innovations and sustainability. Still, state-level policy proposals face significant headwinds, corporate commitments to action on climate and single-use plastics reduction remain unmet, and local recycling systems continue to experience major challenges. Hear a municipal representative’s perspective on what is needed to achieve meaningful and sustainable progress through policy. Speaker: McKenna Morrigan, Strategic Advisor, Waste Prevention and Product Stewardship, Seattle Public Utilities, City of Seattle
4:30- 4:45 pm Joint Q&A with Paul Nowak
4:45 - 5:00 pm Fireside Chat | The Power of Collaboration between The Recycling Partnership and GreenBlue
Speakers: Keefe Harrison, CEO, The Recycling Partnership & Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Speaker
Sanjana Paul
Earth Hacks
Speaker
Ezinne Okoro
VML
Speaker
McKenna Morrigan
Seattle Public Utlities, City of Seattle
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Keefe Harrison
The Recycling Partnership
Sponsored by
RSVPs are required to attend the event. RSVP HERE' data-start-num="90" data-end-num="100" data-date-id="a98b38066bfc">
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (CDT)
Faubourgh Brewery
Evening Social | Faubourg Brewery
Evening Social
Tuesday, April 2
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (CDT)
Evening Social
Evening Social | Faubourg Brewery
Faubourgh Brewery
Hosted by Amcor, SPC Impact’s Evening Social will be hosted at Faubourg Brewery, New Orleans oldest working brewery. Enjoy delicious beers, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and an expansive outdoor space with bocce ball, disc-golf and more whilst networking with your fellow attendees.
Hosted by UPM Raflatac, this SPC Impact Evening Social will be hosted at Port Orleans Brewery, one of the newer members to the New Orleans Craft Brewing family. Sip on spectacular beers, enjoy tasty bites, tour the brewery, and connect with your fellow attendees!
Continue to activate your body and mind with morning yoga! We will move through a series of body and mind strengthening poses and stretches, as well as breathing and mind exercises, to help you feel refreshed and ready for day 2 of SPC Impact!
This class is suitable for all levels of experience, so please feel free to join us, whether you are a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner. Mats will be provided, please bring your reusable water bottle.
RSVPs are required to attend the session. RSVP HERE
Sponsored by
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Storyville
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Breakfast
Wednesday, April 3
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Breakfast
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE' data-start-num="52" data-end-num="92" data-date-id="bbb268b42457">
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Imperial 5A
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Meetings
Wednesday, April 3
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Imperial 5A
Unlock the full potential of your sustainable packaging journey in a Commence & Connect Meeting with GreenBlue Navigate. This is your opportunity to sit down with our Navigate Advisors for a focused, 25-minute dialogue. Whether you're grappling with material choices, seeking innovative recycling solutions, or aiming for zero-waste goals, we're here to offer tailored advice. We'll provide you with customized strategies and innovative approaches to help you move the needle forward in your packaging progress. Join us to Commence & Connect!
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Imperial 12
How packaging data can shape and drive your business
Interactive Lab
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Interactive Lab
How packaging data can shape and drive your business
Imperial 12
The power and reach of packaging data is relatively unchartered territory for most. From consumer marketing to legislative compliance through to achieving sustainability goals and reducing climate change, packaging data is the key.
This workshop will assess the following:
- Current position on your sustainability journey
- Assessment of your current packaging data
- How to unlock your potential to achieve your goals
Packaging data can trigger many assessments and metrics, from end of life recyclability (by territory), carbon analysis, and legislative risks and bans through to consumer facing communication, achieving business objectives and making responsible fact-based decisions pre-commercialization.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
There are trade-offs in trying to balance multiple objectives including carbon emissions, water conservation, functionality and end of life objectives. The audience will learn from the panelists’ experience and have the opportunity to ask questions. They will leave with an understanding of key concerns, how to measure to optimize progress and the types of tools needed to gain clarity.
Sponsored by Kwik-Lok
Moderator
Dr. Jon Smieja
GreenBiz Group
Speaker
Dr. Karen Xiao
Kwik Lok
Speaker
Dr. Viktoria Pakhnyuk
Kwik Lok
Speaker
Tiana Lightfoot Svendsen
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Nathan McKee
Trayak
Sponsored by
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Empire C-D
Panel | Elimination: Creative Ways to Make Sure Packaging Doesn’t Become a Problem
Starting with Reduction
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Panel | Elimination: Creative Ways to Make Sure Packaging Doesn’t Become a Problem
Empire C-D
Elimination through better design should be the first step in a company’s journey towards sustainability in packaging. In this session, we’ll see examples of brands and retailers across geographics and sectors that successfully eliminated packaging, making substantial and lasting progress on their reduction goals. Presenters will share examples of both direct elimination approaches, where packaging that doesn’t serve an essential function is directly removed, as well as innovative approaches, where product redesign, technologies, or reformulation help to eliminate unnecessary packaging components.
Sponsored by SGS-IPS Testing
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Matt Swenson
Amazon
Speaker
Amy Merli
Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
Sponsored by
Sponsored by Kaneka Green Planet' data-start-num="56" data-end-num="59" data-date-id="bbb268b42457">
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Presentation | How to Talk About Plastics
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Presentation | How to Talk About Plastics
Celestin E-D
The 'Many Happy Returns' research project at the University of Sheffield collected and analysed over 4.5 million words of everyday language about plastics. Our linguistics team compared the language used by retailers and manufacturers with that used by the general public and found significant differences between how these two groups conceptualise and communicate their experiences with plastic. This talk will present some of our key findings and the recommendations we published for businesses and other organisations in our 'How to Talk About Plastics' guide.
Sponsored by Kaneka Green Planet
Moderator
Adam Gendell
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Prof. Joanna Gavins
University of Sheffield
Sponsored by
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Celestin F-H
Panel | Expanding Paper Cup Recycling Programs
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | Expanding Paper Cup Recycling Programs
Celestin F-H
In this session, the Foodservice Packaging Institute will share the journey to expand curbside paper cup recycling in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina, along with partners and key stakeholders in the region. Learnings and opportunities for increase recycling, better consumer education and less contamination will be discussed as well as how to engage local partners and MRFs.
Sponsored by Inno-Pak
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Ashley Elzinga
Foodservice Packaging Institute
Speaker
Elizabeth Rhue
Sonoco
Speaker
Wendy Worley
NC DEQ, Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service
Sponsored by
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Imperial 5B
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Meetings
Wednesday, April 3
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Imperial 5B
Your journey to robust PCR certification is quicker than you think, and you can start making progress at SPC Impact! The Path to Certification program breaks down the steps to getting certified and lets you build your certification program ahead of making a full commitment. In these Accelerator Sessions, we’ll introduce the program and kickoff a core analysis, including:
- PCR Claim Identification: Breaking down specific use cases for sourcing certified PCR - On-pack labeling, reporting on goals, meeting minimum content regulations, and more
- Product Portfolio Construction: Product line assessment and exploration of opportunities to maximize across all areas
- Supply Chain Connection: Targeting critical suppliers and customers to build the RMS Chain of Custody
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Imperial 12
Leveraging Spec Data to Action on Sustainability in More Ways than One
Interactive Lab
Wednesday, April 3
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Leveraging Spec Data to Action on Sustainability in More Ways than One
Imperial 12
In this 45-min session, attendees will be able to better understand how their specification data can power their sustainability initiatives. Learn how to digitize product and/or packaging data, build reports that align with ever-changing sustainability regulations/reporting requirements, and make proactive, more sustainable decisions based on that data. The session will not only highlight how to benchmark data, but look at YoY reporting trends, and explore seamless integrations with Lifecycle Assessment and Extended Producer Responsibility tools.
Participants should bring their own laptops (we’ll have some in case someone does not have one), an example Bill of Materials (BOM) or Spec (ex: corrugated shipper spec), a completed spec template (provided by Specright)
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
Speaker
Linda Garbis
Specright
Speaker
Katie Exum
Specright
9:50 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Empire C-D
Panel | Unpacking Sustainability: Decoding the Complex Relationship between Waste and Carbon in Packaging
Starting with Reduction
Wednesday, April 3
9:50 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Panel | Unpacking Sustainability: Decoding the Complex Relationship between Waste and Carbon in Packaging
Empire C-D
In this session, the SPC community will gain a multifaceted understanding of packaging trade-offs, focusing on balancing waste reduction and carbon emissions. Participants will learn how carbon and plastic credits can be used as tools for minimizing environmental impact, and gain insights into evaluating credit quality and supporting sustainable solutions - not all credits are created equal. Our speakers will shed light on the varying degrees of rigor and additionality in plastic credit project development, stressing the importance of demand for post-consumer recycled material in driving the success of material recovery facilities. Additionally, they will emphasize the importance of educating consumers and brands about the production impacts of packaging, including water usage, carbon emissions, material consumption, and the influence of packaging weight on transport carbon footprint. This session will empower brands to optimize packaging for minimal waste and carbon impact, driving next-generation design innovation and effectively communicating this to consumers through multiple channels.
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Valerie Hawks
Interact Brands
Speaker
Nicole Sullivan
Cleartrace
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Presentation | Using Eye-tracking and Ethnographic Research to Understand Consumer Disposal Behavior
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Wednesday, April 3
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Presentation | Using Eye-tracking and Ethnographic Research to Understand Consumer Disposal Behavior
Celestin E-D
What do consumers actually do with packaging once it’s in their home, and how does this vary based on materials and messaging? Package InSight by Quad has sought to answer this question with a new study that uses ethnographic experiences to see how consumers dispose of CPG packaging. Participants were given 7-10 empty packages made from different materials, including recyclable packaging with and without H2R labels, compostable packaging, and reusable packaging. They were then asked to dispose of these packages as they would at home and then interviewed on their decision-making process. Hear about how, with the help of eye tracking technology, we are able to observe first-person actions to see what on-pack messaging proves to be most effective at encouraging consumers to make the correct disposal choice.
Sponsored by LG Chem
Companies will benefit from using deep sustainability intelligence and analytics by baselining their packaging portfolio. This will help uncover hidden opportunities, effective sustainability strategies, and lead towards actionable sustainability goals. The key takeaways from this session are:
Harness analytics and sustainability intelligence on your company’s unique portfolio data
Leverage smart feedback guidelines to guide your sustainable design decisions
Simulate what-if scenarios and their impacts on various sustainable strategies
Participants receive an eBook on sustainable packaging strategies In this interactive lab participants will be organized into groups to examine practical sustainability strategies using case studies.
Participants must bring their own laptops.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
Speaker
Prashant Jagtap
Trayak
Speaker
Brittney Esch
Trayak
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin A-C
Presentation | The Evolving World of Carbon Removals and Offsetting
Strategic Sourcing
Wednesday, April 3
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Presentation | The Evolving World of Carbon Removals and Offsetting
Celestin A-C
The carbon market isn't new anymore, but it does seem to continue to rapidly change. What does the evolving world of carbon removals and offsetting mean for forests and forest products? With carbon values increasing and new technologies for carbon capture being developed, what will the impacts be 10 to 25 years from now? This presentation will explore the known, unknowns, trends, and predictions in this changing space, and provide ideas for how companies, consumers, and partners can ensure forests continue to be cared for in ways that sustain the full spectrum of benefits, products, and services.
Speaker
Dr. Jon Smieja
GreenBiz Group
Speaker
Kathryn Fernholz
Dovetail Partners
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Empire C-D
Panel | Source reduction and reuse in California: California’s SB54 sets itself apart from other EPR statutes by requiring source reduction
Starting with Reduction
Wednesday, April 3
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Panel | Source reduction and reuse in California: California’s SB54 sets itself apart from other EPR statutes by requiring source reduction
Empire C-D
In this session we will focus specifically on the State of California and its legislation. How are PROs and their members preparing to meet source reduction goals?
Moderator
Linnea Whitney Skierski
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Dr. Anja Brandon
Ocean Conservancy
Speaker
Shane Buckingham
Circular Action Alliance
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Making people believe in recycling again, by making them believe in the steel food can
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Wednesday, April 3
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Making people believe in recycling again, by making them believe in the steel food can
Celestin E-D
The COVID pandemic brought a surge in canned food purchases — including people who may have actively avoided buying food in steel cans in the past. This created an unheard-of trial period for canned food, which checks many sustainable, health and societal boxes for consumers, as they are looking for packaging that helps reduce food waste and is actually recyclable.
But do consumers understand the sustainability benefits of the steel food can enough, and can they be convinced to change their behavior to buy more food packaged in steel cans?
In this session, Kris Hesson, VP of Market Engagement at ERM Shelton, will share the story of a more than three-year journey to answer this question and the campaign, Canned Good, that was developed to close the gap between intent and action, resulting in increased favorability of the steel food can, familiarity of its sustainability benefits, and preference for purchasing the steel food can in regions where the campaign was piloted.
Kris will walk through the initial research and the formation of The Canned Good Coalition, in 2021, to create meaningful preference for the steel food can package’s sustainability benefits. She will talk through how this once-in-a-lifetime snapshot was used to inform a new way of positioning steel food cans as the better choice for sustainable food packaging, and the subsequent pilot campaign and results that show both paradigm and behavioral change, as well as substantial sales increases.
Moderator
Trina Matta
The Recycling Partnership
Speaker
Kris Hesson
ERM Shelton
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin F-H
Panel | How is the Implementation of EPR Going?
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Wednesday, April 3
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | How is the Implementation of EPR Going?
Celestin F-H
EPR legislation has passed in four states in the United States. In this session, we will hear from key stakeholders on the state of implementation of the legislation in each state and their predictions on when the impacts will be seen in communities and at the MRF level.
Sponsored by Circular Action Alliance
1:40 - 2:10 pm Fireside Chat | Learning from the past to Elevate and Champion the Black Descendant Community The Descendants Project is an emerging organization committed to the intergenerational healing and flourishing of the Black descendant community in the Louisiana river parishes. The lands of the river parishes hold the intersecting histories of enslavement, settler colonialism, and environmental degradation. Hear from Joy and Jo on their work to champion the voice of the Black descendant community while demanding action that supports the total well-being of Black descendants. Moderator: Tom Pollock, Director of Strategic Partnerships, GreenBlue
Speakers: Dr. Joy Banner and Jo Banner, The Descendants Project
2:10 - 2:25 pm Fireside Chat | The Intersection of Resilience and Sustainability for the City of New Orleans In this fireside chat, we will hear about the work spearheaded by the Office of Resilience to advance policies and projects to reduce their carbon emissions, increase their recovery efforts and prepare the people of New Orleans for the changing climate. Moderator: Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Daniel Jatres, Infrastructure Projects Administrator, City of New Orleans
2:25 - 2:55 pm Fireside Chat | “Recycle Dat” Elevates Recycling at Mardi Gras with Partnerships and Innovative Approaches In the past, the success of Mardi Gras was judged by how much trash went to landfill, and it generates a lot with 2.5 million pounds going to landfill over just 11 days in 2021. That thinking is beginning to change in part due to an initiative called “Recycle Dat” that started in 2023 as a broad partnership to collect aluminum beverage cans, beads, and glass bottles during weekend parades for recycling. In this session, you will hear:
- How this partnership between industry, non-profits, and local government came together and how they all collaborate to execute the initiative
- How the initiative leverages several different ways to engage paradegoers beyond simply putting out recycling receptacles
- How the initiative is able to attract a variety of earned media
- What have been the lessons learned and how the initiative plans to improve/enhance its impact going forward
Moderator: Scott Breen, Vice President of Sustainability, Can Manufacturers Institute
Brett Davis, Director, Grounds Krewe
Kevin Ferguson, Vice President of External Affairs, New Orleans & Company
Anna Nguyen, Public Engagement Director, NOLA Ready
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Jo Banner
The Descendants Project
Speaker
Dr. Joy Banner
The Descendants Project
Speaker
Daniel Jatres
City of New Orleans
Moderator
Scott Breen
Can Manufacturers Institute
Speaker
Brett Davis
Grounds Krewe
Speaker
Kevin Ferguson
New Orleans & Company
Speaker
Anna Nguyen
NOLA Ready
Sponsored by
2:55 pm - 3:30 pm (CDT)
Storyville
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Networking Break
Wednesday, April 3
2:55 pm - 3:30 pm (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
Speaker: Mark Buckley, Strategic Design Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
4:15 - 4:30 pm TED- Style Talk | Unleashing the Power of Packaging Data In this talk Sophie will share lessons learned from the 2+ years of developing the Open 3P standard for packaging data, how it is helping the packaging ecosystem improve the quality, availability and utility of data and support the move to a Circular Economy for packaging and data. Speaker: Sophie Walker, CEO and CoFounder, Dsposal
4:30 - 4:45 pm TED-Style Talk | Danone’s Decarbonization Menu Like many companies, Danone first committed to Science-Based Targets, and then began figuring out how exactly to meet those targets. With a broad product portfolio from beverages to baby food to yogurt, each different packaging format had a multitude of potential decarbonization pathways. Learn how a team at Danone identified and modeled the most realistic and most radical potential packaging changes to understand the carbon footprint reduction potential and build an ambitious roadmap to a low-carbon packaging future. Speaker: Sam Harrington, Director of Packaging Sustainability, R&I, Danone North America
4:45 - 5:00 pm Joint Q&A with Paul Nowak ' data-start-num="82" data-end-num="88" data-date-id="bbb268b42457">
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Main Stage
Wednesday, April 3
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Main Stage
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Celestin
3:30 - 4:00 pm Fireside Chat | Working in Partnership to Extend Circular Practices to the Global South Delterra, Amcor and Mars announced a strategic partnership in 2023 to stem the tide of plastic pollution in the Global South (Indonesia, Brazil and Argentina to start). The goal of this collaboration will be to scale upstream and downstream solutions for a circular plastics economy including data tools to measure plastic footprint, implementing effective recycling programs and innovating material traceability solutions for increased transparency. Hear from the key stakeholders leading this effort on how they are tackling these big goals to solve an ever bigger challenge. Moderator: Charlotte Dreizen, Director Sustainability and Environment, Plastics Industry Association
Panelists:
Allison Lin, Global VP Packaging Sustainability, Mars
Dr. Shannon Bouton, President & CEO, Delterra
David Clark, VP Sustainability, Amcor
4:00- 4:15 pm TED-Style Talk | Designing Our way to a Reuse Revolution What would it take to move reusable packaging from niche to norm, and why should we make that happen? By making different design choices, we can create a circular economy for packaging where it never becomes waste. In this talk, Mark Buckley, co-author of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest publication 'Scaling returnable packaging', will shed light on how industry and policy makers can have a demonstrable impact on tackling packaging waste and the climate crisis. Speaker: Mark Buckley, Strategic Design Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
4:15 - 4:30 pm TED- Style Talk | Unleashing the Power of Packaging Data In this talk Sophie will share lessons learned from the 2+ years of developing the Open 3P standard for packaging data, how it is helping the packaging ecosystem improve the quality, availability and utility of data and support the move to a Circular Economy for packaging and data. Speaker: Sophie Walker, CEO and CoFounder, Dsposal
4:30 - 4:45 pm TED-Style Talk | Danone’s Decarbonization Menu Like many companies, Danone first committed to Science-Based Targets, and then began figuring out how exactly to meet those targets. With a broad product portfolio from beverages to baby food to yogurt, each different packaging format had a multitude of potential decarbonization pathways. Learn how a team at Danone identified and modeled the most realistic and most radical potential packaging changes to understand the carbon footprint reduction potential and build an ambitious roadmap to a low-carbon packaging future. Speaker: Sam Harrington, Director of Packaging Sustainability, R&I, Danone North America
4:45 - 5:00 pm Joint Q&A with Paul Nowak
Moderator
Charlotte Dreizen
PLASTICS Industry Association
Speaker
Allison Lin
Mars
Speaker
Dr. Shannon Bouton
Delterra
Speaker
David Clark
Amcor
Speaker
Mark Buckley
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Speaker
Sophie Walker
Dsposal
Speaker
Sam Harrington
Danone North America
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Sponsored by
7:15 am - 7:45 am (CDT)
Pool Deck
Morning Yoga Session
Wellness
Thursday, April 4
7:15 am - 7:45 am (CDT)
Wellness
Morning Yoga Session
Pool Deck
Wrap up your time at SPC Impact in a blissful headspace! Join us for the last morning yoga class where we will move through a series of relaxing and reflective poses and stretches, as well as breathing and mind exercises.
This class is suitable for all levels of experience, so please feel free to join us, whether you are a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner. Mats will be provided, please bring your reusable water bottle.
RSVPs are required to attend the session. RSVP HERE
Sponsored by
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Storyville
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Breakfast
Thursday, April 4
8:00 am - 8:50 am (CDT)
Breakfast
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Storyville
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE' data-start-num="52" data-end-num="92" data-date-id="58dc0588c825">
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Imperial 5A
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Meetings
Thursday, April 4
8:00 am - 6:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | Commence and Connect with GreenBlue Navigate
Imperial 5A
Unlock the full potential of your sustainable packaging journey in a Commence & Connect Meeting with GreenBlue Navigate. This is your opportunity to sit down with our Navigate Advisors for a focused, 25-minute dialogue. Whether you're grappling with material choices, seeking innovative recycling solutions, or aiming for zero-waste goals, we're here to offer tailored advice. We'll provide you with customized strategies and innovative approaches to help you move the needle forward in your packaging progress. Join us to Commence & Connect!
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Imperial 12
Practical Steps for a Circular Economy Approach to your Packaging Data
Interactive Lab
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 9:45 am (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Practical Steps for a Circular Economy Approach to your Packaging Data
Imperial 12
Come along to this hands-on session where you’ll be guided through the process of adopting Open 3P – either by using the GING data sharing platform or by understanding how you can implement Open 3P in your own systems. Open 3P is a free to use data standard for packaging which is being adopted by a growing number of businesses to help them streamline their data sharing and improve the quality of their packaging data. GING is a not-for-profit data sharing platform built using Open 3P to facilitate the seamless transfer of packaging data along supply chains. Please bring along a sample of your packaging data and a laptop.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
Speaker
Sophie Walker
Dsposal
Speaker
Tom Passmore
Dsposal
9:00 am - 9:30 am (CDT)
Celestin A-C
Presentation | Designing Plastics Recycling Systems with GHG-emissions in mind to provide lower impact PCR
Strategic Sourcing
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 9:30 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Presentation | Designing Plastics Recycling Systems with GHG-emissions in mind to provide lower impact PCR
Celestin A-C
The mission is clear, increase PCR content in plastic packaging to prove circularity for plastics is real. The expectations at the same time are incredibly high. PCR has to be free of contamination, transparent in color and food grade for many applications. But how can such a product be delivered in an environmentally sound manner by keeping GHG-emissions in mind? This presentation will compare different recycling technologies & costs including their environmental impact. It will also suggest a collaborative path forward for competing technologies and provide perspectives on using alternative end markets for PCR outside of packaging.
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Hendrik Dullinger
EFS Plastics
9:00 am - 10:00 am (CDT)
Empire C-D
Workshop | Packaging Design for Reduction: Reducing carbon impact by reducing packaging while building in shelf appeal, functionality and shelf life
Starting with Reduction
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 10:00 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Workshop | Packaging Design for Reduction: Reducing carbon impact by reducing packaging while building in shelf appeal, functionality and shelf life
Empire C-D
In this workshop, we will cover:
- The implications of reducing packaging starting with the primary packaging weight and volume but also focused on the number of packaging components, secondary packaging, product waste and shelf life.
- Designing in appealing graphics and functionality while reducing packaging
- Real case studies of successful and not so successful transitions as well as include a real time case study with participants.
Sponsored by ALPLA
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Sal Pellingra
ProAmpac CIC
Speaker
Ben Davis
ProAmpac
Sponsored by
9:00 am - 9:30 am (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Panel | Preparing to Launch a Citywide Reusable Cup Program in Galveston, TX
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 9:30 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Panel | Preparing to Launch a Citywide Reusable Cup Program in Galveston, TX
Celestin E-D
Today, there is nowhere you can go in the world to experience an immersive, city-scale reusable foodware system. There are dozens of reusable foodware programs in operation around the U.S. and the world. Yet, we still don’t know what interoperable systems of reusable foodware at scale look like since no interoperable reusable foodware ecosystem has been fully implemented. Perpetual and local partner, Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) aim to change this and lead Galveston to become the first city-scale reusable foodware system in the United States. This discussion will delve into the highly anticipated launch of a city-wide reusable foodware system in Galveston. The team aims to share key tools and insights needed to replicate and scale reuse systems across the world.
Moderator
Ellie Moss
Perpetual
Speaker
Joanie Steinhaus
Turtle Island Restoration Network
Speaker
Marty Miles
Perpetual
9:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Celestin F-H
Panel | Producer Town Hall Session
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Panel | Producer Town Hall Session
Celestin F-H
Over the last few years, extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies covering packaging have gained significant momentum in the U.S. Four states have enacted packaging EPR laws (Maine, Oregon, California, and Colorado), two states enacted pre-EPR needs assessment laws (Maryland and Illinois), and 11 other states introduced packaging EPR bills in the 2023 legislative session. Effective EPR policies that include consistent elements rely on the collaboration of all key stakeholders – state and local governments, producers, retailers, recyclers, and environmental groups. While it is challenging to find common ground among these stakeholder groups, it is also challenging for each of these groups to find agreement within their own sector. In this session, key stakeholders representing producers from different industry sectors will have an open dialogue regarding:
- Which elements of packaging EPR bills are most important, and of most concern, to producers?
- What are some of the most challenging topics that need to be explored in such a dialogue?
- What factors have led to producers being more engaged, and even accepting, of packaging EPR bills?
- Under what conditions would producers be interested in engaging with other stakeholders in a structured dialogue with the goal of developing a model state or federal bill that results in greater national policy consistency?
- Why do we see so few individual brands visibly support packaging EPR bills? Do you believe that this will change over time?
Event attendees will get the chance to ask their questions related to these topics during the session.
Moderator
Scott Cassel
Product Stewardship Institute
Speaker
Neil Menezes
General Mills
Speaker
Dan Felton
AMERIPEN
Speaker
Carol Patterson
Foodservice Packaging Institute
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Imperial 5B
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Meetings
Thursday, April 4
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (CDT)
Meetings
Meeting | RMS Path to Certification Accelerator Sessions
Imperial 5B
Your journey to robust PCR certification is quicker than you think, and you can start making progress at SPC Impact! The Path to Certification program breaks down the steps to getting certified and lets you build your certification program ahead of making a full commitment. In these Accelerator Sessions, we’ll introduce the program and kickoff a core analysis, including:
- PCR Claim Identification: Breaking down specific use cases for sourcing certified PCR - On-pack labeling, reporting on goals, meeting minimum content regulations, and more
- Product Portfolio Construction: Product line assessment and exploration of opportunities to maximize across all areas
- Supply Chain Connection: Targeting critical suppliers and customers to build the RMS Chain of Custody
RSVP is required. To book your meeting slot please CLICK HERE
9:30 am - 10:00 am (CDT)
Celestin A-C
Presentation | Benchmarking Partners for Responsible Sourcing
Strategic Sourcing
Thursday, April 4
9:30 am - 10:00 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Presentation | Benchmarking Partners for Responsible Sourcing
Celestin A-C
Decisions regarding the choice of packaging materials have historically revolved around the trade-offs between functionality, aesthetics, and cost. However, now that brand owners are being held to account for their Scope 3 sustainability impacts the decision-making process has arguably become more complex. As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical aspect of business practices, the question now arises: how can you discern whether a supplier is a suitable partner for sustainable packaging? In this presentation, we will delve into the sustainable packaging goals of leading brands and explore how sustainability benchmarking can help identify best-in-class sourcing partners.
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Katie Mencke
AFRY Management Consulting
9:40 am - 10:25 am (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Panel | From Pantry to Bin: Helping Consumers Recycle More
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Thursday, April 4
9:40 am - 10:25 am (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Panel | From Pantry to Bin: Helping Consumers Recycle More
Celestin E-D
Customers care about the environment so how can we help them be positive contributors? In this panel, you’ll hear from CPGs and manufacturers to understand how we can influence change through every part of the supply chain and make considering the end-of-life for a package even easier.
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Sabrina Dixon-Ridges
Sonoco
Speaker
Amber Barron
P&G
Speaker
Steve Marko
Tillamook
Speaker
David Luttenberger
Mintel
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Imperial 12
Packaging Data for EPR reporting
Interactive Lab
Thursday, April 4
9:45 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Packaging Data for EPR reporting
Imperial 12
This interactive Lab will cover the best practice for managing packaging data and converting it to EPR reporting requirements. Whilst this will be US focussed, we will cover a wider focus around the world:
- Data points needed for EPR reporting
- Structure of data needed
- Converting data to EPR reports
- Where to start if you haven’t got any data!
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
Speaker
Michelle Carvell
Lorax Compliance
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Empire C-D
Presentation | Packaging Sustainability ‘North Star’ - What makes Packaging ‘Sustainable’ and How Best to Assess Impact
Starting with Reduction
Thursday, April 4
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Starting with Reduction
Presentation | Packaging Sustainability ‘North Star’ - What makes Packaging ‘Sustainable’ and How Best to Assess Impact
Empire C-D
When it comes to packaging, brand owners are facing growing challenges in measuring and prioritizing sustainability characteristics, often leading to contradictory conclusions, such as the choice between plastic and paper packaging. Compounded by the fact that many companies are signaling warnings about their ability to hit previously committed sustainability goals for packaging or overall net zero carbon emissions targets, the industry and vocal stakeholder groups are increasingly becoming concerned. We will discuss in this presentation ideas and a call to action for establishing a common understanding and measurement framework for sustainable packaging. This will include consideration of a comprehensive set of sustainability, financial, social well-being, and circular principles anchored in the idea that carbon emissions is perhaps the most important goal.
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Brent Nelson
Meta
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Celestin A-C
Panel | Protective Packaging in Retail, A Case Study in Collaborative Value Chain Innovation
Strategic Sourcing
Thursday, April 4
10:00 am - 10:30 am (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Panel | Protective Packaging in Retail, A Case Study in Collaborative Value Chain Innovation
Celestin A-C
In this session key stakeholders representing different parts of the packaging value chain will share their experiences as they work in collaboration to achieve a sustainable packaging goal in protective packaging, to reduce carbon emissions and improve responsible sourcing. Centered on a collaborative project between a retailer of home products and a packaging manufacturer we will hear the intricacies of meeting consumer expectations, sustainability goals and preserving high-value products in transit.
Moderator
Tom Pollock
GreenBlue
Speaker
Jennifer Lawrence
Pregis
Speaker
Daché Davidson
Pregis
Speaker
Amy Leonard
Crate & Barrel
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Storyville
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Networking Break
Thursday, April 4
10:30 am - 11:15 am (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
11:00 am - 12:10 pm (CDT)
Empire C-D
The Scale of Hope
Film Screening
Thursday, April 4
11:00 am - 12:10 pm (CDT)
Film Screening
The Scale of Hope
Empire C-D
Molly Kawahata on climate, climbing and the fight for systemic change.
As a former climate advisor to the Obama White House and an ice climber with dreams of climbing steep mountains, Molly has dedicated her life to taking on seemingly insurmountable challenges. But it’s her intimate battle with mental health that gives her a profound understanding of how to harness the power of the human mind to create change. “The Scale of Hope” follows Molly as she sets out on an expedition into the Alaska Range while working to create a new climate narrative that centers her favorite question – “What can I do to help?” – with a surprising answer. It’s a story about struggle, hope, and what it will take to solve the greatest issue of our time.
Speaker
Molly Kawahata
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin A-C
Panel | Achieving Zero Resin Loss: Keeping Plastic Out of the Environment and Within the Circular Economy
Strategic Sourcing
Thursday, April 4
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Strategic Sourcing
Panel | Achieving Zero Resin Loss: Keeping Plastic Out of the Environment and Within the Circular Economy
Celestin A-C
At every stage of the plastic value chain, it’s critical that resin is handled securely to prevent loss into the environment. Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) is an industry-led program that supports companies in doing just that, from material suppliers to processors, across more than 60 countries globally. Join three industry leaders in this conversation to learn how they’re working towards zero resin loss and how OCS is becoming more robust, including its recently launched, facility-level inspection program.
Moderator
Charlotte Dreizen
PLASTICS Industry Association
Speaker
John Butow
DuPont EHS Center of Excellence
Speaker
Tiffany Fisher
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Speaker
Larry Josey
Braskem
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin E-D
Panel | Building Energetic and Meaningful Partnerships to Drive Change
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Thursday, April 4
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Changing Behaviors and Systems
Panel | Building Energetic and Meaningful Partnerships to Drive Change
Celestin E-D
In this session, two key stakeholders representing different parts of the value chain, will engage in vibrant conversation on the roles of Engineer/Sustainability support (Marks/SGS – Neema) and Product Manufacturing (Perrigo – Steve) during a project. The session will focus on the opportunities and challenges they face as they try to make substantive changes to the packaging we deliver to the marketplace. They will openly discuss the push-pull partnerships at play and be transparent regarding some current actions and focus areas.
Sponsored by SmartSolve
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Neema Pourian
Marks
Speaker
Steve Ramus
Perrigo
Speaker
Mike Wier
CVS Health
Sponsored by
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin F-H
Workshop | Recyclability with the Recyclers
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Thursday, April 4
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Recovery Infrastructure and Access
Workshop | Recyclability with the Recyclers
Celestin F-H
Come learn the ‘why’ behind product and packaging recyclability, directly from the recyclers who receive, sort, and process your material. How exactly does material flow through a MRF? Why are certain types of contamination problematic? What happens at the next stage of processing for each material type? What are the processing technologies in use today, and how do they impact recyclability? This session will give the audience an understanding of the facilities and operations throughout the country, and how all their technological capabilities and complexities come together to impact whether a customer is directed to recycle or landfill a package.
Moderator
Natalie Betts
ISRI
Speaker
Stephanie Baker
KW Plastics
Speaker
Katie Drews
Eureka Recycling
Speaker
Phil Slesinski
International Paper
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE ' data-start-num="65" data-end-num="68" data-date-id="58dc0588c825">
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Imperial 12
Unpacking Consumer Behavior: The Influence of Sustainable Packaging Claims on Buying Decisions
Interactive Lab
Thursday, April 4
11:15 am - 12:00 pm (CDT)
Interactive Lab
Unpacking Consumer Behavior: The Influence of Sustainable Packaging Claims on Buying Decisions
Imperial 12
Join us as we delve into the intricate relationship between consumer behavior and sustainable packaging claims. We'll explore the evolving landscape of sustainable packaging claims across various retail categories and unveil key insights into how these claims impact purchasing decisions. Find out the emerging trends in sustainable claims across the store, discern which product categories are leading the sustainability charge, and discover actionable strategies to leverage consumer preferences for sustainable packaging in your business practice.
RSVP Required to attend, due to limited capacity. You can RSVP HERE
1:35 - 2:25 pm Keynote | Building a More Hopeful Sustainable Packaging Industry Hope can be a powerful tool in motivating teams, aligning visions, and taking action on the climate crisis. Communications expert and climate veteran, Molly Kawahata, delves into the fascinating realm of Hope within the workplace, presenting the science behind its potential to transform organizations -- impacting everything from retention to employee wellness. Molly leverages profound insights in behavioral change to empower individuals and organizations to not only envision a brighter future, but also realize their collective power to create it. Moderator: Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Speaker: Molly Kawahata, Strategist, Advocate, and former Climate Advisor at the Obama White House and Founder of Systemic Impact Strategies
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Speaker
Molly Kawahata
Sponsored by
2:25 pm - 2:55 pm (CDT)
Storyville
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Networking Break
Thursday, April 4
2:25 pm - 2:55 pm (CDT)
Networking Break
Networking Break with Exhibitors
Storyville
Sponsored by
2:55 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Celestin
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Main Stage
Thursday, April 4
2:55 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Main Stage
Main Stage Session - Part 2
Celestin
2:55 - 3:05 pm Flash Talk | SPC’s Innovation Trends Report SPC’s first-ever Innovation Trends Report will highlight the top five innovation trends based on what we’re seeing in the sustainable packaging space across a range of formats. In this session, we’ll give a preview of the report’s innovation categories and showcase examples of the leaders starting to bring these solutions to their packaging. Speaker: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
3:05 - 3:30 pm Panel | Innovation Wish List: What’s Missing and How New Solutions Can Scale Hear the judges of the 2024 SPC Innovator Awards reflect on how far sustainable packaging innovation has come and what’s still missing: the packaging designs, materials, technologies, and systems-level changes they’d like to see in the coming years, as well as how existing today’s innovations can scale to become mainstream solutions. Moderator: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
Panelists:
Dr. Andrew Hurley, Clemson University
Camille Corr Chism, Indigo Packaging
Allison Lin, Mars
SPC Member Companies are always hard at work driving innovation in their packaging formats and designs, material choices, and problem-solving for sustainability challenges. The 2024 winners for the SPC Innovator Awards are no exception - join us as we announce the latest crop of winners in packaging materials, recovery practices, and overall packaging system design. MC’s: Paul Nowak and Olga Kachook
3:50- 4:00 pm Closing Remarks and Conclusion of Event
Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Moderator
Olga Kachook
GreenBlue
Speaker
Dr. Andrew Hurley
Clemson University
Speaker
Allison Lin
Mars
Speaker
Camille Corr Chism
Michigan State University
Moderator
Paul Nowak
GreenBlue
Sponsored by
12:20 pm - 5:45 pm (CDT)
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
FULL - Down by the River Bike Tour
Tour
Tours
12:20 pm - 5:45 pm (CDT)
Tour
FULL - Down by the River Bike Tour
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
THIS TOUR IS NOW FULLDown by the River is a guided group bike ride along River Road in St. Charles Parish. It brings you face to face with two powerful forces in Louisiana: the environmental justice movement and local African-American history. It is an evolution of what has traditionally been called a "toxic tour"--a drive-by of polluting sites like dumps, refineries, and chemical plants. Down by the River transforms a litany of depressing sites into powerful beacons of resistance, a lens through which the past and present are applied to today’s environmental movement. Bicycles and helmets are provided. Participants cycle mostly on the levee, next to the Mississippi River, stopping at six historically relevant sites. Co-led by a community organizer from a local grassroots group and the Bike Ride Manager of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
Price: $120
Capacity: 20
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm (CDT)
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana HQ
Tour
Tours
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm (CDT)
Tour
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana HQ
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite people in action to achieve a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast for all. Incorporated in 1988, CRCL represents a unique mix of businesses, local governments, industries, scientific communities, national and local conservation groups, hunters, anglers and a broad spectrum of concerned residents who share a common vision and commitment to the sustainability of coastal Louisiana. The common vision of these varied and diverse interests is the driving strength of CRCL, the most effective and recognized coastal advocacy organization in the state. Recognizing that Louisiana’s coastal land loss will have dramatic impacts on the nation’s energy, navigation and fisheries interests, CRCL works at the state, local and federal levels to ensure that restoring and protecting coastal Louisiana is a top priority for our state and the nation. In addition to our role as advocate and watchdog, we also serve as responsible stewards of Louisiana’s rich coastal wetlands. We facilitate and fund restoration projects through our Native Plants Program and Oyster Shell Recycling Program, and we work diligently to raise awareness and educate others about the importance of preserving and restoring coastal Louisiana. Participants will tour CRCL’s Restoration Headquarters, where we host regular volunteer opportunities through our Oyster Shell Recycling Program and Native Plants Program.
Price: $75
Capacity: 30
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
Glass Half Full
Tour
Tours
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (CDT)
Tour
Glass Half Full
Tunnel Entrance of Hyatt Regency
Tour Glass Half Full’s main drop-off and processing facility in New Orleans. See how we transform glass “waste” into a resource that benefits the local community. Get hands-on with our sustainable sand and gravel and meet the Glass Half Full team!
Price: $75
Capacity: 30
Tour registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable
RSVPs are required to attend the event. RSVP HERE' data-start-num="90" data-end-num="100" data-date-id="ab846b3b275e">
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (CDT)
Faubourgh Brewery
Evening Social | Faubourg Brewery
Evening Social
Evening Socials
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (CDT)
Evening Social
Evening Social | Faubourg Brewery
Faubourgh Brewery
Hosted by Amcor, SPC Impact’s Evening Social will be hosted at Faubourg Brewery, New Orleans oldest working brewery. Enjoy delicious beers, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and an expansive outdoor space with bocce ball, disc-golf and more whilst networking with your fellow attendees.
Hosted by UPM Raflatac, this SPC Impact Evening Social will be hosted at Port Orleans Brewery, one of the newer members to the New Orleans Craft Brewing family. Sip on spectacular beers, enjoy tasty bites, tour the brewery, and connect with your fellow attendees!
