SPC Advance 2019

Converters, CPG companies, and consumers must all work together to effectively address and engage in sustainable packaging initiatives. Consumer sentiment is shifting–while cost will always be an issue for the mainstream consumer, more and more consumers (especially younger ones) are trimming their plastic usage, thinking about the environmental impact of all types of packaging, and asking companies to find solutions. This presentation will look at those consumer shifts, and discuss what converters, and CPG companies are doing, together and separately, to appeal to them in new and sometimes unusual ways.

Striving to find new ways to develop infrastructure for the sustainable recycling of lower volume commodities, we recognized how innovation and a forward looking view are critical. That’s because these commodities that represent only a small percentage of the recycling stream are faced with the challenge to balance effectiveness and efficiency when it comes to material sorting. New technology such as robotics and artificial intelligence provide the opportunity to sort valuable materials in a more efficient way in addition to offering the possibility to improve overall contamination. From pilots to commercial reality, we will share this success story of how robots are transforming the sorting of some valuable materials.

Natural and organic products is the fastest growing food product segment in the United States. Many of these brands have recognized the negative impacts that single-use plastics have on our environment, and are looking for packaging that aligns with their values. Why place your product into a package that will outlive your grandchildren if the same package could be constructed of sustainable, plant-based compostable films that will safely biodegrade? Learn how 1908 Brands, makers of Thrive Tribe Paleo snack bars, and Futamura Group are working together to address these issues and more.

Improving packaging solutions for recoverability and reuse requires collaboration of all players along the value chain. We know one size doesn’t fit all. So it is up to the entire value chain to collaborate with new and different partners as we work through the challenges facing the industry.

A multi-year value chain collaboration effort led by Bear Naked recently culminated in the successful 2019 launch of the first large scale fully recyclable stand up pouch (SUP) for granola. As the category leader in natural and organic granola, the Bear Naked team recognized the need to pull the right partners together to break through the barriers to achieve their sustainable packaging goals. Shannon Moore from Bear Naked (Kashi) and Ashley Leidolf from Dow will discuss the importance of open communication and collaboration across the packaging value chain, from the brand to the material supplier and the partners in between.

There is a groundswell of commitments to designing packaging to be recyclable, compostable, or reusable, and while there is widespread recognition that reusable and refillable packaging systems offer significant potential for improved environmental profiles, the level of successful execution has not yet matched the level of interest. This session explores the opportunities and challenges related to reusable and refillable packaging through the lens of three organizations who have implemented successful programs. Hear about lessons learned and best practices surrounding reverse logistics, cost, consumer acceptance and behavior, and everything between!

There is a lot of discussion these days about whether packaging could be – and even should be – made from wood fiber. Our most everyday example, of course, is the ubiquitous paper straw. But when considering the paper option what does that really mean? What are the options? What is lost and gained? Please note, this is NOT another “plastic or paper” discussion. This panel of experts, rather, will be discussing the latest innovations in paper-based packaging and addressing the current trend of moving to paper. From recent advances in nano-cellulose, to how to make a paper straw that you can actually use, this discussion is focused on the most frequently asked questions and what you need to know about moving to a paper-based solution.

To make progress in environmental initiatives within companies, with external partners and with entities such as government, municipalities and trade associations, stakeholders with different and sometimes opposite perspectives need to zero in on the issues and find common ground to open a path to meaningful change.

The Bioeconomy, a term popularized by Europe’s Bioeconomy Strategy, calls for the development of sustainable food, farming, and forestry systems that deploy bio-based solutions for vital products and energy, as an important part of larger move towards a circular economy. The forest sector is expected to contribute significantly to the development of the bio-economy through the development of bioproducts like fiber based packaging, wood products, bio-composites and bio-plastics from wood-based biomass, and the development of forest biorefineries that produce chemicals and energy, creating new markets for advanced forest based products. In this session, panelists will discuss their perspectives on the forest product markets of the future and the leading role forests might play in the Bioeconomy.

Disruptors in Recovery, Collection, Circularity and Upcycling
Moderator: Peter Schelstraete, CEO, Ubuntoo

Implementing in the Delivery Decade – UN SDG 12
A quick look at 3 pilots with entrepreneurs in Brazil who are working towards zero waste.
Maisie Devine, Global Director, Sustainability Investments & Accelerator at Anheuser-Busch InBev

Plastic Credits: Funding the World’s Transition to a Circular Economy
Creating a multi-stakeholder global platform to incentivize plastic recovery in developing countries, and support the commercialization of plastic alternatives.
Peter Wang Hjemdahl, Co-Founder, rePurpose

Creating a Different Future Destination for Packaging – Become a Champion of Sustainability
Our presentation will be focused on answering questions such as: “How can we boost our sustainability as citizens and companies using the latest technology and engaging Millennials and Generation Z? How can we create a fair system between all stakeholders of the system and create a sustainable packaging for our product and consumer? How can we create a different future in which packaging has a positive footprint for our environment and really help reverse global warming?”
Ionut Georgescu, Founder and Chief Evangelist, End of Waste Foundation

Building a Circular Material Solution for a World Drowning in Plastic Waste
We have a shortage of domestic end-markets, which are critical to a healthy circular economy. Jan Rayman will share key learnings from his experience in creating a successful business making building materials out of upcycled poly-coated packaging. He will also reveal how combining this manufacturing solution with an innovative, high-volume recovery process can create a revolutionary circular concept at a large scale.
Jan Rayman, Director of Sustainability, Continuus Materials

Even as more brands turn to compostable packaging, consumers remain confused by product labels and messaging – what does “bioplastic”, “made from plants”, or a #7 really mean? With no standard product labels, many consumers still aren’t sure if something is compostable, especially if it looks like traditional plastic. So how can brands better label their compostable products? How can they help prevent plastic look-alikes from being mistakenly put in the compost bin? Get insight into how better labelling can help your compostable packaging make it into the compost bin and be accepted by local composters. Learn about the main compostability certifications and what kind of labelling is required (and prohibited) by the FTC and a growing number of states.

How do technologies earn permission to be deeply integrated into our lives? Part of it is what they do for us – such as help us save time or exercise more. Yet it is also how they do it. We connect with Amazon Alexa and trust her to order the right groceries for us. UberEats reassures us that our food will come in time. Good technologies accommodate to us as humans. Even if technology is not your core business, join us to learn how your customers of the future will seek out human brands and technologies that adapt to them.

In order to have a successful organics diversion program, being mindful of contamination is critical. This diverse panel will discuss the challenges for keeping the compost stream clean, as well as successful strategies that they have deployed. We will also touch on the work of Recycle Colorado’s Compost Council on this topic.

This course will describe the scope of ocean plastic pollution and its impacts on our marine ecosystems. We will talk about the various ways in which plastic ends up in the oceans, including the role of global waste management infrastructure challenges. We will also address the methods that have been proposed for removing plastic from the ocean and for reducing the flow of plastic into the ocean, including the use of discarded plastics as feedstock in packaging and durable goods. This course will close with a look at active government- and industry-led initiatives tackling the challenges of ocean plastic pollution. Part of the SPC’s Essentials of Sustainable Packaging course.

Plastics recycling today is mostly mechanical in nature, which leads to compromised material properties and lower value for reclaimed, recycled plastic materials. This in turn leads to an economic disincentive for plastics reclamation. As an alternative, the concept of chemical breakdown of plastics can lead to intermediates that can be recycled back into either virgin-like polymers or upcycled to materials of higher value. This master class will cover some of the key concepts in the use of biological and chemical systems to break down plastics into valuable intermediates as well as emerging concepts in making upcycled materials. I will also cover aspects of using new, bio-based monomers in combination with intermediates from reclaimed plastics to produce biodegradable plastic replacements and upcycled materials.

Join us for happy hour at YFYJupiter followed by a pub crawl in RiNo District! Sponsored by YFYJupiter.

Schedule:
5:30 pm- 6:30 pm: Happy Hour
6:30 pm onwards: Pub Crawl in RiNo District

A guided walking tour through downtown Denver, Colorado’s historic LODO (lower downtown) and Ballpark Neighborhood districts. The tour will explore the history of beer, how it is made, what the different types are and how they differ, why Denver has been dubbed the “Napa Valley of Beer,” as well the history of Denver and how it became the city it is today.

During the stops on our tour, you will go behind the scenes to learn brewing process, visit a brewpub that began a nationwide franchise, drink in the brewery founded by the governor, and hang out in the best craft beer bar in Denver. Appetizers, dinner, and dessert are included.

Schedule:
5:50 pm: Gather in Hilton Denver City Center lobby for departure
6:00 pm: Tour Departs
9:00 pm: Tour concludes at Hilton Denver City Center

Tickets: $90 each

Join us for a mixer at Woods Boss Brewing Company! Sponsored by UPM Raflatac

Woods Boss Brewing Company transformed an early 1900 brick building into a beautiful brewery and tap room, opening their doors on August 11, 2017 with the intention of creating a community brewery where people could enjoy delicious craft beers that consistently rotate. Ranging from smooth, crisp lagers to barrel aged funky Belgian Quads, they have 20 taps all brewed in house with the goal of having something for everyone to enjoy regardless of your palette.

Schedule:
6:00 pm- 7:30 pm: Mixer

Sponsored by The American Chemistry Council

Join us for a mixer at The Woods! Enjoy outdoor seating with views of the stunning Denver skyline and Rocky Mountains at The Woods restaurant, bar and beer garden. Located in the RiNo district of Denver, the city’s most innovative culinary neighborhood, The Woods at The Source Hotel features dishes collaboratively paired with New Belgium Brewing craft beers.

A stronger domestic recycling market will support local communities by creating more jobs and providing the U.S. economy with greater resilience to future market disruptions. This session will showcase innovative financing strategies for building new and evolving existing recycling infrastructure to meet today’s challenges. The session will open with U.S. EPA providing an overview of the multi-stakeholder effort underway to address the challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. recycling system, followed by panelist presentations on how their organizations are strengthening existing markets and/or creating new markets for secondary materials through innovative financing techniques and partnership approaches. Panelists will include representatives from local governments, consumer product companies, investment firms, and entrepreneurs.

Colorado faces unique challenges when it comes to composting and recycling infrastructure. Recycling End Markets are very far away for the local recyclers. Hear about the regional stakeholders on their end markets development strategies and how brands can participate in these efforts.