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In a recent episode of Beyond the Shelf, Laura had an enlightening conversation with Paul Nowak, the Executive Director of GreenBlue. With over 30 years in the packaging industry and a fervent commitment to sustainability and diversity, Nowak shared his insights on sustainable practices, industry challenges, and future trends.
Below are some highlights from the conversation – you can listen to the full audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud. Be sure to subscribe to our channel to get the latest episodes as soon as they drop.
GreenBlue’s Mission and Vision
GreenBlue has been at the forefront of advancing sustainable materials economy for over 25 years. As a non-profit organization, its mission is to accelerate the transition to sustainable materials through collaborative efforts among members of GreenBlue. These members range from large retailers and brands to materials converters and technology companies. Through actionable initiatives like the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) and How2Recycle program, GreenBlue provides a platform for stakeholders to innovate and solve complex problems in sustainable packaging.
Key Programs: Sustainable Packaging Coalition and How2Recycle
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) embodies the essence of collaboration by bringing together diverse stakeholders from retail, brand manufacturing, recycling, and material conversion sectors. SPC’s initiatives are driven by member collaboratives focused on specific problems or action statements. By providing these members with a voice, they can implement programs that will directly meet their needs.
For example, How2Recycle is a program that was born out of SPC’s collaborative efforts and now provides clear instructional recycling instructions on packaging. Members recognized the absence of standardized recycling instructions in North America and worked together despite their competitive differences to develop what has now become an essential tool for consumers.
Addressing Legislation: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is currently one of the most pressing topics within GreenBlue's member base. EPR laws mandate that producers are responsible for the end-of-life management of their products' packaging. This includes potential fees based on material types and recyclability rates. However, there is a lot of uncertainty around what the laws are going to do and how they are going to impact businesses.
Historically, regulations are tracked and governed by Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Green Guidelines which provides broad definitions around terms like recyclable or biodegradable. However, the landscape is shifting towards more state-level regulations with financial implications for non-compliance. This shift necessitates that organizations are more hands on by understanding their packaging data at granular levels and anticipating regulatory changes.
The Role of Data in Sustainability Efforts
Effective management of packaging data is crucial for compliance with emerging regulations like EPR. Organizations must move beyond simply tracking final products; they need detailed specifications at component levels. By doing so, companies can better forecast costs associated with different materials under new laws, especially laws that very based on region.
Additionally, partnerships play a vital role in navigating these complexities. Engaging with organizations such as SPC or leveraging platforms like Specright can help streamline data management processes while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. It is also crucial to leverage peers, even if it seems counter intuitive to be discussing with those who are competing with your company. Especially in Europe, EPR laws have more widely been implemented. Thus, it is extremely beneficial to work together and learn from each other on how to best attack these laws.
At the bottom line, tackling these issues alone is not sustainable.
Future Trends in Packaging Sustainability
Several key trends are shaping the future landscape:
- Paperization: There’s increasing interest in using well-managed paper products due to anticipated lower taxation compared to other materials.
- Reusables: Reusables as a form of recyclability is a huge topic. Companies like Starbucks are piloting reusable cup programs aimed at reducing single-use waste.
- Compostables: Industrial compostable materials are gaining traction as viable alternatives.
- Advanced Recycling: Chemical recycling technologies promise significant advancements in processing plastic waste efficiently.
These trends underscore the importance of innovation driven by both regulatory pressures and consumer demand for sustainable solutions.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives
GreenBlue recognizes that marginalized communities often bear disproportionate impacts from environmental issues such as waste and climate change, yet they are continually underrepresented in conversations about solutions. By integrating diverse voices into sustainability conversations—whether through DEI initiatives or community engagement—GreenBlue aims to foster innovative problem-solving approaches informed by the people.
Conclusion
Paul Nowak’s insights highlight not only current challenges but also opportunities within sustainable packaging practices. From managing data streams to address regulatory compliance to embracing innovative trends like advanced recycling, organizations have numerous avenues to explore when tracking towards sustainability goals.
For more information on GreenBlue’s work or how you can get involved visit their website here.
Listen to the full podcast episode here for more valuable insights, and connect with Paul Nowak on LinkedIn here.
To listen to more episodes of Beyond the Shelf, click here.
