Get help with your packaging:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomattos/

If you're going to learn how to design packaging, you need to know the laws that will govern your material decisions around the world.In this episode Paul Kearns and Evelio Mattos explain how EPR, extended producer responsibility laws will impact your brand's packaging decisions and what you need to do today to avoid upcoming fines.

Connect with Paul Kearns on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulkearns82/And learn more about Anthesis:https://www.anthesisgroup.com

Paul Kearns is a key figure at Anthesis, where he lends his expertise on extended producer responsibility (EPR) and sustainability. With years of experience and a deep understanding of eprhemenite, Paul provides valuable insights to companies looking to navigate the complexities of EPR laws across different regions. His work helps brands become more environmentally responsible while aligning with global and local regulations.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Evelio Mattos welcomes Paul Kearns from Anthesis to delve deep into the subject of extended producer responsibility (EPR).

As EPR laws gain momentum both in Europe and the United States, Paul explains what EPR is, why it matters, and how businesses can navigate these regulations effectively. Bringing clarity to a complex topic, Paul shares practical advice on how brands can adapt to comply with EPR laws and benefit from these changes.

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach aimed at reducing the overall environmental impact of product packaging. Paul discusses the historical context of EPR, its implementation in Europe, and how the U.S. is catching up with states like California, Colorado, and Oregon leading the way.

He emphasizes that EPR is designed to shift the burden of waste management from taxpayers to producers, who would then be incentivized to choose recyclable and sustainable packaging materials. This conversation also covers the vital role of Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) in managing the collection, sorting, and recycling of these materials.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding EPR: Extended Producer Responsibility aims to shift waste management costs from taxpayers to producers, encouraging the use of sustainable packaging.

Definition of a Producer: Generally, the producer is the brand that first markets the product rather than the packaging manufacturer.

Ecomodulation: Brands are incentivized through ecomodulation to use recyclable materials, lowering their EPR fees.

Global and Regional Regulations: Differences and similarities in EPR regulations across various states in the U.S. and Europe, and the implications for businesses.

Practical Steps for Compliance: Importance of registering with PROs like Circular Action Alliance for compliance, especially for businesses operating in multiple states.

Stay tuned for more insightful content and expert interviews as we continue to explore significant industry trends and regulatory changes affecting businesses today. Listen to the full episode for an in-depth understanding of EPR and how it impacts your business.

About the Guest(s):Tim Silman

Tim Silman is the Program Director at Lonely Whale, a renowned organization dedicated to preventing ocean plastic pollution. Co-founded by actor Adrian Grenier in 2015, Lonely Whale leverages storytelling, modern marketing techniques, and collaborative partnerships to tackle ocean plastic pollution. Tim, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, leads innovative projects and campaigns focused on sustainable solutions, such as the Plastic Innovation Prize.

Join Evelio Mattos in an insightful conversation with Tim Silman, Program Director at Lonely Whale. This episode dives deep into the issues of ocean plastic pollution, highlighting innovative initiatives and sustainable practices. Tim shares his journey, the mission of Lonely Whale, and how radical collaboration and modern marketing are creating new pathways toward a plastic-free ocean.

Lonely Whale focuses on reducing ocean plastic, with campaigns like "Stop Sucking" and initiatives like Nextway Plastics and the Ocean Heroes program. Tim discusses the impact of thin film plastics, innovative solutions using seaweed-derived materials, and the importance of biodegradable plastics. Brands are encouraged to integrate these new materials into their supply chains, with complex challenges of scaling these solutions being addressed through collaborative efforts.

• Urgency of Ocean Plastic Pollution: An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans yearly, expected to triple by 2040.
• Lonely Whale's Strategic Approach: The organization uses storytelling, campaigns, and collaborations to drive change and innovate solutions for ocean plastics.
• Innovative Alternatives: The Plastic Innovation Prize highlights seaweed-based biodegradable alternatives to thin film plastic, showcasing winners such as Sway, Zero Circle, and Notpla.
• Role of Designers and Brands: Designers and brands play a crucial role in sustainability by integrating innovative materials and setting realistic yet ambitious goals.
• Future Steps: Loneliness is focused on educating and expanding their initiatives while seeking new problematic materials to tackle in the fight against plastic pollution.

1. "Our center has really been around leveraging storytelling and modern marketing techniques and radical collaboration with brands and other partners to change the trajectory of ocean plastic pollution." — Tim Silman
2. "It's a humongous problem. People may be familiar with the Pacific garbage patch, with the impact on marine life now emerging more on human health and climate." — Tim Silman
3. "Biodegradable doesn't actually mean anything. It's kind of industry greenwashing, unfortunately. Biologically degradable is a term we use to demarcate that." — Tim Silman
4. "Think about the consumer and their behavior, and how they interact with your product, to better incorporate sustainable design at the upfront." — Tim Silman
5. "Brands have to consider their storytelling, setting realistic targets and, if necessary, adjusting goals while maintaining transparency and authenticity with their customers." — Tim Silman

• Lonely Whale: lonelywale.org
• Unwrap the Future: unwrapthefuture.org
• Instagram: @lonelywhale
• Podcast: 52 Hz Podcast on Spotify

For more captivating conversations and sustainability insights, listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more episodes from our series.

Get help with your packaging from Evelio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomattos/ About the Guest(s): Simon Forster is the versatile founder and Creative Director at Robot Food, an award-winning branding and packaging design agency. With a keen interest in launching disruptive brands, Simon has successfully led numerous projects, both for clients and his own ventures. His deep understanding of retail strategy, consumer behavior, and creative branding makes him a notable expert in the field. Connect with Simon: https:www.robot-food.com Evelio Mattos is a seasoned designer and creative director known for his thought leadership in packaging design and branding. He frequently engages with industry experts to discuss challenges and trends in the design world through his podcast. Support our sponsors: Order packaging directly from the factory: www.IDPdirect.com Manage your packaging specifications: www.specright.com The paper that dissolves in water for packaging: www.smartsolve.com Episode Summary: In this engaging episode, Evelio Mattos converses with Simon Forster, the Creative Director of Robot Food. The discussion dives into the essence of what makes a brand disruptive, focusing on branding and packaging strategies that set brands apart from their competitors.

Simon shares valuable lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey, including the initial missteps and eventual pivot that led to the success of his skincare brand, Stories and Ink. Their conversation not only covers the practicalities of launching a brand but also delves into emotional branding and the power of resonating deeply with the target audience.

Simon draws from his extensive experience to highlight the intricacies of truly understanding one's consumer base and the importance of building a strong community around a brand. He emphasizes that disruption is not just about being loud and brash, but about cutting through the noise with authenticity and relevance. They also discuss the significance of tone of voice, copywriting, and creative flexibility in branding. Through real-life examples such as the Brooklyn Brewery rebrand, Simon illustrates how subtle yet strategic design changes can make a monumental impact in a crowded marketplace. Key Takeaways: Importance of Community: Building a brand starts with understanding and nurturing a community around it.

Subtle Disruption: Effective branding isn’t always about being the loudest; sometimes, the most subtle changes can create significant disruption.

Copywriting Matters: Quality copywriting is often undervalued but is crucial for a brand’s voice and resonance.

Learning from Mistakes: Early entrepreneurial missteps provide invaluable learning opportunities that shape future success.

Emotional Branding: Brands that tap into consumer emotions and values establish stronger loyalties.

Amazon gets rid of their plastic air pillows and shifts to paper void fill packaging. Is paper actually better than plastic? How companies making paper out of seaweed may be damaging the ocean floor in the race to replace fossil fuel plastic. How New York defeat the latest plastic packaging bill and set the state back in its path to a sustainable future. Get the latest in packaging industry news, stripped from the headlines with the industry's PVU (Packaging Victim's Unit) dun-dun. Join Evelio, Cory, and Adam every week for a live discussion, terrible jokes, and a community environment to kick off your week. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/66735240...

Need packaging, talk to Evelio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomattos/ Wanna work with Robot-Food? https://www.robot-food.com Simon Forster is the founder of Robot Food, a design and branding agency known for its disruptive and innovative approach. With a background in art and a history rooted in punk and skate culture, Simon has cultivated a reputation for questioning the status quo and pushing creative boundaries. His journey began with running a surfskate brand funded by Joey Ramone, marking the beginning of his love affair with branding. Today, Simon and his team at Robot Food are dedicated to creating impactful and standout strategies for their clients. Support our sponsors: Factory Direct Packaging Manufacturing: https://www.idpdirect.com Manage your packaging specifications: https://www.specright.com Sustainable packaging that dissolves in water: https://www.smartsolve.com Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode, Simon Forster of Robot Food sits down with Evelio Mattos to discuss the controversial subject of design awards. Simon shares his critical views on the relevance and necessity of such accolades in the industry, outlining how awards can sometimes compromise the integrity of the work and may not ultimately benefit design agencies. The conversation touches on the cost implications and the often-overlooked downside of getting trapped in a cycle of constantly chasing awards. Simon's punk-rock ethos and commitment to authentic, disruptive design shine throughout the discussion, challenging the conventional wisdom around what it means to be successful in the design world. Simon highlights the hefty financial burden of entering design awards and questions their true value to clients. He explains that his agency's growth and reputation have been built on delivering results rather than chasing recognition through awards. Simon emphasizes that clients prioritize results such as increased sales and brand impact over industry accolades. With a background that includes leading a skate brand funded by Joey Ramone, Simon blends his punk roots with his professional journey to foster a unique and rebellious approach at Robot Food, encouraging brands to stand out rather than conform. Key Takeaways: The Cost of Awards: Design awards come with significant entry fees and additional costs if you win, which can be a heavy burden for startups. Client Priorities: Clients are more interested in tangible business results rather than whether an agency has won awards. Disruptive Design: Success in design comes from questioning the norm and creating emotionally and visually disruptive work. Agency Culture: A rebellious, questioning attitude within an agency can foster innovation and lead to standout work. Alternative Recognition: Rather than seeking awards, Simon advocates for cutting through the noise by delivering exceptional client outcomes. Dive into the full episode to explore these insights and more, as Simon Forster shares his candid perspectives on the design industry, the true value of awards, and the importance of staying disruptive. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from our podcast series! Leave a review: https://www.packagingunboxd.com

Discuss your packaging with Evelio Mattos

Tom Jackson is the co-founder of Honest Ocean, a company focused on managing the supply chains of recycled plastics from source to manufacturing. Based in Indonesia, Tom works closely with local communities and recycling centers to collect and process ocean-bound plastics, aiming to transform waste into valuable materials for various industries.

In this enlightening episode, Evelio Mattos sits down with Tom Jackson, co-founder of Honest Ocean, to discuss the harsh realities of plastic pollution in Indonesia and its devastating impact on the environment and local communities. Tom shares his journey from working on private superyachts to founding a company dedicated to recycling and repurposing ocean-bound plastic, offering insight into the complexities and challenges of the recycling process.

Throughout the conversation, Tom explains how Honest Ocean collaborates with local coastal communities to collect plastics, which are then processed and sold to brands committed to sustainability. He touches on the dire state of Indonesian beaches, clogged with waste, and highlights the importance of creating a circular economy. The episode delves into the technical aspects of processing different types of plastics and the efforts to find innovative solutions for unrecyclable waste. Tom also discusses the crucial role of technology and the need for significant investment to effectively tackle plastic pollution on a global scale.

• Plastic Pollution Crisis: Indonesia’s beaches are inundated with plastic waste, significantly affecting local communities and the environment.
• Community Collaboration: Honest Ocean empowers local communities by employing them in the collection and processing of ocean-bound plastics.
• Comprehensive Recycling: The company processes a variety of plastics, including PET, PP, and HDPE, and is working on solutions for unrecyclable waste.
• Impactful Partnerships: Brands can significantly contribute to environmental sustainability by sourcing recycled plastics from Honest Ocean, creating positive social and economic effects.
• Innovative Solutions Needed: There is a pressing need for advanced technology and investment to manage and repurpose waste efficiently.

1. "Now you change it from fish to plastic and try to pay them, if not more than what they were getting it for before." - Tom Jackson
2. "The first seven to eight foot of the beach is plastic mixed in with that seaweed." - Tom Jackson
3. "United States, UK, Germany, we're all still exporting waste to countries like Indonesia." - Tom Jackson
4. "Changing lives through plastic collection, it's not just plastic recycling." - Tom Jackson
5. "We're not at that scale. You know, we do a couple of hundred tons a month, and that really takes up all of our time." - Tom Jackson

• Tom Jackson on LinkedIn

Delve into the full episode to uncover the fascinating journey of turning ocean-bound plastic waste into valuable resources and the significant strides Honest Ocean is making towards a sustainable future. Stay tuned for more insightful episodes from our podcast/web series.

Get help with your next packaging design project from Evelio directly. DM him on LInkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomattos/ Support our sponsors: Order packaging manufactured factory-direct from IDPdirect.com Manage your packaging specifications globally with Specright.com Learn more about dissolvable papers from Smartsolve.com About the Guest(s): Alex Abbott: Alex Abbott is the Director of Sales and Business Development at Smartsolve.com , a company renowned for its innovative water-soluble packaging solutions. With a rich background in rigid plastics, Alex brings a wealth of experience in packaging and sustainability. His expertise spans across sales strategy, product development, and fostering industry partnerships, making him a pivotal figure in steering Smartsolve’s mission towards more sustainable packaging solutions. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode, host Evelio Mattos sits down with Alex Abbott from Smartsolve to delve into the fascinating world of water-soluble packaging. They explore how Smartsolve's innovative materials, derived from FSC-certified wood and paper, can revolutionize the packaging industry by offering sustainable, compostable, and recyclable options. The conversation touches on the diverse applications of these materials, from personal care products to food packaging, aiming to eliminate traditional single-use plastics and enhance end-of-life outcomes for packaging. Throughout the episode, Alex explains the science behind Smartsolve's dissolvable packaging and its implications for sustainability and circularity. The discussion ranges from the technical aspects of implementing these materials in existing manufacturing processes to the potential markets and products where Smartsolve's technology can make a significant impact. Key topics include the environmental benefits of water-soluble packaging, the versatility of Smartsolve's materials, and the exciting developments on the horizon for both the company and the broader packaging industry. Key Takeaways: Water-Soluble Technology: Smartsolve's innovative packaging solution dissolves upon contact with steady water, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging. Versatility in Applications: The material can be used for a variety of products, including personal care items, food packaging, laundry applications, and more. End-of-Life Solutions: Smartsolve prioritizes end-of-life solutions, with their materials being flushable and comparable to toilet paper in terms of degradability, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Enhanced Recycling: The company has achieved APR certification, making their dissolvable labels compatible with current recycling systems without contaminating the waste stream. Design and Consumer Experience: The technology opens up new possibilities for creative design and delightful consumer experiences, especially in applications like meal bars, stick packs, and single-use sachets. Resources: Smartsolve Website: smartsolve.com Associated Plastic Recyclers (APR): Plastic Recyclers Alex Abbott’s Email: alex@smartsolve.com Discover how Smartsolve's dissolvable packaging technology can redefine your approach to sustainable design. Tune in to this compelling episode for more insights and stay connected for future episodes featuring industry leaders and cutting-edge innovations.