Tom Szaky - The Future of Packaging: From Linear to Circular

Reflections on The Future of Packaging

Plastics came of age in the 1950s, changing manufacturing forever. By telling the story that leads us to todays linear packaging model, I illustrate that designing into the circular systems that came before it can be a short journey back.

Attila Turos, Former Lead, Future of Production Initiative, World Economic Forum

In The Future of Packaging, we talk about the modern problem of waste, how packaging fits into that, and how we can design out of it. It is important to explain the forces that catalyzed the first formal recycling programs in the United States, defining the need to scale up on todays systems.

Christine Christie Todd Whitman, President, The Whitman Strategy Group; Former Governor of New Jersey; Former Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency

Moving away from the linear take-make-waste model is an ethical imperative. In my chapter I talk about the fragmented global recycling system and how investing in it presents opportunity for innovation, jobs creation, education, and, above all, prosperity.

Jean-Marc Boursier, Group Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Recycling & Recovery (Northern Europe), SUEZ

Whether you are a packaging manufacturer, small business, local government, or consumer, this book will transform the issues weve avoided into ones we are motivated to tackle head-on. My chapter calls for a paradigm shift in producer responsibility, placing waste and materials management in the hands of the producer as an asset, not a burden.

Scott Cassel, Founder and CEO, Product Stewardship Institute

Almost everything is technically recyclable, so why do we have so much waste? Improving our recycling system will help us turn more waste into worth. When we view recycling in terms of supply and demand, it is much easier to see where system advancements are needed. We hope The Future of Packaging brings this to life and shows how all of us can do our part to keep our environment and oceans free from litter.

Stephen Sikra, Associate Director, Corporate R&D, Procter & Gamble

Nearly every packaging innovation that has made products lighter, less expensive, and more convenient cant be recycled through public programs...and is thrown away after one use. In this book we deep-dive into the lightweighting trend and ways to maximize value for packages through design.

Chris Daly, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability, Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, PepsiCo

Packaging can be an important ally to help prevent waste, even for high-end products that often use excessive or nonrecyclable materials. My chapter has tips to help designers create premium yet sustainable packagesalong with examples of brands that got it just right.

Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor, Packaging Digest

Packaging design isnt just about the package but the processes associated with manufacturing, transporting, and distributing it. In this book I bring the often-unseen pre-consumer waste stream to light.

Tony Dunnage, Group Director, Manufacturing Sustainability, Unilever

The Future of Packaging: From Linear to Circular is todays handbook for designing out of a world that feeds people a skewed version of what they need to be prosperous and brands a narrow view of what they can do to be profitable...Consumers care about where their products come from and what happens after they are done with them. Brands and designers need to pay attention.

KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, Founder and CEO, Sustainable Life Media, producers of Sustainable Brands

Consumers reward brands that make the responsible choice the easy one...Brands must today ask themselves, How do we enable responsible consumption? The Future of Packaging is a resource for companies doing this heavy lifting.

Virginie Helias, Vice President, Global Sustainability, Procter & Gamble

Leading the change you wish to see in your company can be challenging. The Future of Packaging contains practical models and powerful examples to champion sustainable programs. In my chapter I take you through how we stewarded circular initiatives at Procter & Gamble and my insights for applying these at a company of any size.

Lisa Jennings, Vice President, Global Hair Acceleration, Procter & Gamble

The Future of Packaging

From Linear to Circular

Tom Szaky

and 15 Industry
Leaders in Innovation
and Sustainability

The Future of Packaging

Copyright 2019 by Tom Szaky

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First Edition

Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-5230-9550-6
PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-5230-9551-3
IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-5230-9552-0
Digital audio ISBN 978-1-5230-9554-4

2018-1

Cover design by Dan Tesser, Studio Carnelian. Interior design and composition by Gary Palmatier, Ideas to Images. Elizabeth von Radics, copyeditor; Mike Mollett, proofreader; Paula Durbin-Westby, indexer.

In memory of
Martin Stein and Robin Tator

INTRODUCTION
From Linear to Circular

Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO, TerraCycle

CHAPTER 1
Plastic, Packaging, and the Linear Economy

Attila Turos, Former Lead, Future of Production Initiative, World Economic Forum

CHAPTER 2
Where Did Public Recycling Come From, and Where Is It Going?

Christine Christie Todd Whitman, President, The Whitman Strategy Group; Former Governor of New Jersey; Former Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency