Packaging World’s second annual Packaging Recycling Summit brings together brand owners, recyclers, reclaimers, and material and equipment suppliers to drive package recycling rates.
Packaging World’s Packaging Recycling Summit, held in mid-September, gathered together 268 attendees from across the packaging recycling supply chain in Anaheim, Calif., to advance the circular supply chain for packaging.
It’s an undeniable truth that the U.S. recycling rate is unacceptably low, hovering around 30% for years. Despite the best efforts and significant investments by brand owners, recyclers, reclaimers, and policymakers, the U.S. EPA estimates the combined rate for all materials is just 32%. Moving forward, however, new packaging materials, recycling technologies, and partnerships have the potential to move that needle.
In 2023, Packaging World debuted its Packaging Recycling Summit, a conference designed to facilitate packaging recycling by bringing all members of the supply chain together to share resources, best practices, and insights on each segment of the circular supply chain for system. After a successful first year, PRS returned this September in Anaheim, Calif., with an increase in attendance of 60%.
Topics at PRS24 covered a wide spectrum of recycling issues designed to move stakeholders out of their silos and into an environment of collaboration and innovation. Encapsulating the spirit of the event, during his presentation, Michael Okoroafor, chief sustainability officer for McCormick & Company, shared an African proverb that advises, “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”
Following is coverage of just some of the topics discussed at PRS24:
Kory Nook, VP of Packaging Research & Innovation for Danone, discusses how the company is tackling its Scope 3 emissions, with consumer-driven changes to its yogurt packaging to allow for recycling.
Michael Okoroafor of McCormick & Company discusses how the company’s sustainability efforts are not only good for the environment, but also ensure its global suppliers thrive ‘in perpetuity.’
AI provider Glacier develops custom programs for Colgate and Amazon to detect tube and bioplastic packaging, respectively, as it makes its way through MRF sorting systems.
Available to all brands, Google’s ‘Plastic-Free Packaging Design Guide’ details the solutions it developed to eliminate plastic from its packaging, including technologies and suppliers.
Thermoform packaging waste is an excellent source of rPET, but collection and sorting challenges must be overcome to make it a profitable commodity for MRFs.
Why does glass have such a low recycling rate, and what are some of the myths surrounding glass recycling? The Glass Packaging Institute, SMI, and Diageo share their insights.
The Intersection of Machinery and Materials
The PRS24 panel titled “Integrating Recyclable Materials with Established Machinery: Implications and Strategies” explored how brands work with suppliers to incorporate newer, more recyclable materials with existing equipment. Watch for a January 2025 Packaging World webinar and e-book, and a March 2025 PW feature on the topic.
Mark Your Calendar for PRS25
Join us at the 2025 Packaging Recycling Summit scheduled for June 25-27 in Dallas to connect with industry leaders in the package recycling supply chain. Discover how brands can actively participate in a circular economy and profit from the promise of a sustainable future.
Packaging Recycling Summit 2024 Advisory Board
· Peter Adrian, Recycling Coordinator, SWALCO
· Mark Agerton, Group Scientist, Procter & Gamble
· Michelle Bryson, Global Sustainable Packaging Leader, BW Packaging
· Myles Cohen, Founder, Circular Ventures, LLC
· DeNiele Cooper, Recyclability Solutions Manager, The Recycling Partnership
· Ana Espinosa, Packaging Sustainability Manager, ELC Management LLC
· Dan Felton, Executive Director, AMERIPEN
· Marija Massey, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Circular Feedstocks, North America, Eastman
· Kelly Murosky, Sustainable Packaging Manager, Unilever
· Kory Nook, VP, R&I, Packaging, Danone North America
· Michael Okoroafor, Chief Sustainability Officer, McCormick & Co.
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