Ecopack Stage
Sponsored by OPRL & Robinson
2022 will host the Ecopack Stage, including the Ecopack challenge. This year will define what sustainability looks like for the future of the packaging world, from global regulations to local legislation and the key players taking action to implement change. We’ll be looking at a range of contributing factors from design innovations to extended producer responsibility and economic factors.
Day One
Day Two
10:45 - 11:15
10:30 - 11:00
SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING: TRENDS, TENSIONS & TECHNOLOGIES
TIME TO REPACKAGE THE WASTE HIERARCHY
Innovation specialists, Cambridge Design Partnership, will be providing us with their view on the future challenges for packaging sustainability. With their perspective on the ways in which innovation and technology will play a critical role in the development of future solutions.
Speakers:
- James Harmer, Planning & Innovation Strategy Leader – Cambridge Design Partnership
- Matt Morris, Sustainability Lead – Cambridge Design Partnership
Designed to be applicable across a broad range of products, the current waste hierarchy fails to encapsulate packaging’s full sustainability attributes and contribution to the Circular Economy. Oversimplification has led to flawed policy decisions and there’s a genuine case for a new approach specifically adapted to the packaging sector.
Speaker:
- Robert Fell, Director – MPMA
11:30 - 12:00
11:15 - 11:45
EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY: MAKING YOUR DATA WORK FOR YOU
TIME TO REPLACE PLASTIC. THE FUTURE OF PACKAGING TODAY
Your sustainability goals are influenced by many things, not least legislation and consumer demand. As the industry navigates Extended producer responsibility, we explore how your packaging data can be optimised to show areas of improvement and aligned to meet legislative targets.
Speaker:
- Abbie Burford, Commercial Account Manager, Valpak
Molded fibre has the potential to replace billions of pieces of plastic packaging. But it’s all about scale and price. David MacDonald, owner of Europe’s leading molded fibre and corrugate manufacturer, explains how constant innovation and investment allow Cullen to challenge the packaging world to replace plastic. David is joined by Sian Sutherland of A Plastic Planet, to unveil the new product and collaboration that can truly power a plastic-free future.
Speaker:
- David MacDonald, Founder – Cullen Eco-friendly Packaging
- Sian Sutherland, Co-Founder – A Plastic Planet
12:15 - 12:45
12:00 - 13:00
EXPLORING THE WIN-WIN OF SUSTAINABLY DESIGNED PACKAGING
THE ECOPACK CHALLENGE
In a world with growing consumer awareness and regulatory pressures, implementing sustainability into packaging portfolios is complex. To understand and manage environmental impact, we need sustainable innovation. Leaders are driving transformational change that delivers on consumer expectations, inspires good design and purchasing decisions, and drives growth. Join us to find out more.
Speakers
- Debbie Hitchin, Director – Anthesis – Infinite Sustainable Packaging
- Tim Ryan, Structural Designer, – 1HQ – Infinite Sustainable Packaging
Join the Ecopack Challenge Judges and Nominees, in discovering the latest packaging innovations placing sustainability at the focus of their operations. The nominees will be presenting their projects and products in a 5-minute dragons den style presentation, with feedback to be given live, and audience Q+A’s to follow.
Judges:
- Laura Fernandez, Packaging Sustainability Manager –Ocado
- Jane Bevis, Chairwoman – OPRL
- Paul Jenkins, Founder – The PackHub
- Simon Oxley, Global Head of Packaging – Pret A Manger
- Martin Kersh, Director – FPA
13:00 - 13:45
13:15 - 13:45
FUTURE PACKAGING MATERIALS
CERTIFICATION AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What does the future of packaging materials look like in 30 years time as we move to a more sustainable future? What will the packaging material demand look like in 2050, what infrastructure do we need and how do we make the transition. All big questions that our expert panel will be discussing.
Speakers
- Jude Allan, Chair of IOM3 Packaging Group
- Margaret Bates, Managing Director – OPRL
- Mike Swain, managing Director – Pack IDS Ltd
- Sarah Greenwood, Packaging Technology Expert/Leader – Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures
The Consumer Goods Forum’s Forest Positive Coalition’s Pulp, Paper and Fibre-based Packaging (PPP) Roadmap aims to help Coalition members remove deforestation and conversions from their packaging supply chains. Forest certification systems such as PEFC’s (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification), play an important role in helping companies implement the Roadmap.
Speaker:
- Stewart Begg, Global Procurement Director – Essity
14:00 - 14:30
14:00 - 14:30
ACCELERATING BUSINESS DEMAND FOR SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING THROUGH PRODUCT INNOVATION
HOW PAPER BECAME THE HERO OF PACKAGING: SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION IN FIBRE
Demand worldwide for sustainable packaging is significantly increasing, and an acceleration in business & consumer demand for sustainable packaging is desirable. In order to accelerate this demand for sustainable packaging worldwide and we need more product innovations to illustrate the different types of sustainable products out there. Consumer labels are unfortunately not helping grow demand as they are many and confusing. Therefore, innovation in products to tell that story is the way forward.
Speakers:
- Jamil Haddad, Head of Business Development & Sustainability – Al Bayader International
How has paper become a preference for companies pursuing net-zero? Paper has always been a firm favourite with the ease and convenience of recyclability. From bottles to bags, innovation made from paper seems endless. Exploring case studies in different markets, dive into the world of the latest paper-based solutions.
Speaker:
- Sarah Lesting, Managing Director – Leipa
14:45 - 15:15
14:45 - 15:45
PLASTICS FOR LIFE, NOT FOR LANDFILL!
£10 BILLION DEBATE PART 2: IS DRS CREATING A DIS-UNITED KINGDOM?
Plastic may be public enemy number one these days, but there’s good reason that plastic packaging was once so popular. Find out why the future is still very strong for plastic packaging if we can learn from the lessons of the past.
Speakers:
- Judit Guerra-Falcon, Product Sustainability and Compliance Manager – Waddington Europe (Novolex)
The continued Big Debate series delves into pressing financial implications of packaging legislation, and the direct impact upon the packaging industry. The expert panel will provide future-proof guidance and examples of applied practice, along every step of the supply chain.
Discussions across both days will cover: The Plastics Tax, The Deposit Return Scheme, Extended Producer Responsibility, Innovations in recycling technology, Novel materials, Chemical recycling & more.
Speakers:
- Jane Bevis, Chair – OPRL
- Martin Kersh, Executive Director – FPA
- Martin Trigg-Knight, Head of Compliance – Clarity
- Tom Wood, Carbon Accounting Lead – Emitwise
- Robert Fell, Director – MPMA
15:30 - 16:30
14:45 - 15:45
THE £10 BILLION DEBATE PART 1: EPR - MONEY FOR WASTE OR A WASTE OF MONEY?
£10 BILLION DEBATE - PART TWO
Businesses have given their approval to extended producer responsibility with the understanding their fees will be deployed effectively to increase recycling, not just to replace current local authority waste funding. Should poorly performing local authorities expect to receive the same funding and should better-performing ones be rewarded? How will these decisions be made? How can we be sure EPR doesn’t become a blank cheque? If it does why should local authorities bother to improve their recycling? This debate will explore whether business will see a positive return for the fees it will be paying.
Speakers:
- Jane Bevis, Chairwoman – OPRL
- Martin Kersh, Director – FPA
- Tom Wood, Carbon Accounting Lead – Emitwise
- Paula Chin, Senior Policy Advisor (Consumption) – WWF
- Lee Marshall, Policy Director – Chartered Institution for Wastes Management
The continued Big Debate series delves into pressing financial implications of packaging legislation, and the direct impact upon the packaging industry. The expert panel will provide future-proof guidance and examples of applied practice, along every step of the supply chain.
Discussions across both days will cover: The Plastics Tax, The Deposit Return Scheme, Extended Producer Responsibility, Innovations in recycling technology, Novel materials, Chemical recycling & more.
Speakers:
- Jane Bevis, Chair – OPRL
- Martin Kersh, Executive Director – FPA
- Paul Davidson, Challenge Director – UKRI
- Martin Trigg-Knight, Head of Compliance – Clarity
- Mauro Cozzi, CEO and Co-Founder – Emitwise
