Advance – Agenda – GreenBlue Events

Program

Agenda

We believe that the complex challenges of sustainability require diverse perspectives and coordinated efforts. We value the creation of pre-competitive spaces where stakeholders across the value chain can come together to address the issues that affect us all.

At SPC Advance through sessions rooted in Innovation & Collaboration, the evolving landscape of Policy, strategies for Carbon Reduction & LCA, and the essential role of Recovery & PCR, you’ll gain critical insights into new ways of thinking about responsibility, solutions, and resilience.

September 28th September 29th September 30th October 1st

Sunday, September 28th, 2025

2:30 pm

Tour

Tour | Community Rowing

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Offsite Tour

Join us for a fun day along the Charles River and enjoy a beautiful waterfront setting with a quintessential New England activity: rowing. Your group will enjoy an introductory rowing lesson in our large spacious community room. The lesson is followed by some team building exercises and friendly and healthy competition on our boats on the Charles River. Capture some photos around the first public boathouse in the New England area and of the scenic views of the Charles. All levels of rowing experience are welcome, from first-timers to more seasoned rowers! Please wear close-fitted clothing and closed-toed shoes. Transportation will not be provided to or from this tour location.

Cost: $100
Capacity: 23
RSVP is required and can be added through your registration.

Go Back to Top September 28th September 29th September 30th October 1st

Monday, September 29th, 2025

7:00 am

Check In and Registration Open

7:00 am – 4:30 pm

Ensemble Foyer

7:15 am

Morning Yoga

7:15 am – 7:45 am

Elevate

8:00 am

Networking

Breakfast with Exhibitors

8:00 am – 9:00 am

Ensemble ABC

8:00 am

Networking

Exhibit Hall Open

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Ensemble ABC

8:15 am

Recovery

SPC Recovery Pillar Work | Meet and Greet

8:15 am – 8:45 am

Audition

Do you know what the SPC’s Recovery Pillar has been up to this year? Want to chat with project leads about the SDO access study, or the new Recovery Technologies Collaborative? Curious to learn more about the results of our consumer research into store drop-off program awareness and participation? Or just want to connect with other companies interested in advancing the collection and recycling of packaging? Join us for this informal session to chat with your peers and SPC team members leading work in this space. Hosted by Sheila Anzures and Paula Leardini.

Sheila Anzures

SPC Stakeholder Engagement Manager

GreenBlue

Paula Leardini

Manager, Circular Plastics, SPC

GreenBlue

9:00 am

Tour

Tour | Recirclable and Re:Dish

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Offsite Tour

Curious about what citywide reuse really looks like in action? Join us for a two-part immersive tour exploring the full spectrum of reusable packaging—from community-based reuse to large-scale industrial systems—featuring Recirclable and Re:Dish. We’ll kick things off at Johnny’s Luncheonette, a classic diner and proud participant in the Recirclable network. Enjoy a fresh pastry and beverage while learning how this community-based reuse model is making takeout more sustainable across the Boston metro area. Recirclable applies the library book model to reusable takeout containers, offering digital tracking to ensure containers are returned. Recirclable leverages a growing network of restaurants and their existing wash capacity to make reuse easy and accessible. Next, we’ll head to Re:Dish’s state-of-the-art facility, where you’ll see industrial-scale reuse in action. Re:Dish will walk us through how their system supports cities like Boston with durable packaging, inventory tracking, wash infrastructure, and end-to-end logistics. We’ll return to the hotel just in time for lunch—energized by new ideas and real-world examples of scalable solutions. Don’t miss this opportunity to see reuse in action and connect with industry experts driving change in waste diversion and sustainability!

Cost: $85
Capacity: 14
RSVP is required and can be added through your registration.

9:00 am

Presentation | Innovation

Presentation | Composting Access Data: New Numbers and What they Mean For Compostable Packaging

9:00 am – 9:40 am

Contemporary

Do you know what percentage of the US population has access to composting? In 2025 the SPC’s Compostable Packaging Collaborative worked with a data partner to update its dataset on US cities with curbside composting access offered either through municipal and privately-run composting programs, differentiating between curbside pickup and drop-off access as well as acceptance of food waste and compostable packaging. By expanding the dataset to approximately another 4,000 cities, we now have information about a majority of the US population, and can explore what this means for determining nationwide access to programs. Tune in to learn about trends in the data, how we’ll keep it updated and how members can access it, and what it means for the future of on-pack labeling for compostable packaging.

Speaker: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue

Olga Kachook

Director, SPC

GreenBlue

9:00 am

Presentation | Collaboration

Presentation | Seizing the Opportunity: How Packaging Convertors Drive Environmental Impact for Brand Owners

9:00 am – 9:30 am

Marquee

In today’s era of heightened environmental consciousness, adopting sustainable processes for convertors has become imperative. This session explores the transformative potential of implementing sustainable processes within packaging convertors to deliver substantial environmental impacts for brand owners. Through insightful case studies, data-driven analyses, and industry best practices, this session will demonstrate the multifaceted benefits of collaboration between packaging convertors and brand owners. This session aims to uncover actionable strategies for leveraging sustainability as a competitive advantage while fostering positive environmental change across the packaging value chain.

Moderator: Brad Kurzynowski, SPC Manager – Fiber, GreenBlue
Speaker: Zach Muscato, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Plastic Ingenuity

Zach Muscato

Corporate Sustainability Manager

Plastic Ingenuity

Brad Kurzynowski

Manager, Fiber, SPC

GreenBlue

9:00 am

Presentation | Policy

Presentation | AI-Powered Policy is Transforming Packaging Regulatory Compliance

9:00 am – 9:30 am

Ensemble D

Packaging companies are navigating an extraordinarily dynamic regulatory landscape, where legislative shifts occur rapidly and vary significantly across different states and cities. From evolving recyclability standards to intricate labeling regulations, the challenge is compounded by the pace of change and the geographic diversity of policies. By automating the tracking and interpretation of legislative and labeling regulations, AI can swiftly analyze vast volumes of data from multiple jurisdictions. This approach delivers real-time, actionable insights tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities in the packaging industry. In this session we will learn about how AI is shaping the regulatory monitoring space, what are the differences between AI and traditional monitoring methods, and where we see the technology and capabilities changing and shaping in the future – as this is happening rapidly.

Moderator: Lucy Pierce, Sr Project Manager SPC, GreenBlue
Speaker: Mason Chambers, AI team lead, Industry Intelligence

Mason Chambers

Director of AI Strategy

Industry Intelligence

Lucy Pierce

Sr. Project Manager, SPC

GreenBlue

9:00 am

Panel | Recovery

Panel | Ask a MRF: Acceptance, Technologies, and End Markets

9:00 am – 9:45 am

Ensemble EFG

Almost every brand has materials or formats it wishes could be recycled, but that aren’t accepted by facilities today. This session is your chance to find out why, and ask a MRF all your questions – What would it take for a MRF to add or remove a material from its acceptance list? How do MRFs handle food contamination and what risks does it pose? How does the relationship between MRFs and end markets work, and how does that ultimately impact acceptance decisions? What drives MRFs’ decisions to invest in new technologies? What is the perspective of MRFs on the future of sortation, and how can the packaging industry support MRFs? Join us as we uncover the secrets behind MFRs’ operations and decision making process.

Moderator: Natalie Betts, Assistant Vice President of Sustainability, Recycled Materials Association (ReMA)
Panelists:
Bob Capadona, Regional VP, Casella
Shannon Crawford Gay, Director, Recycling & Environmental Policy, WM
Sarah Reeves, Executive Director- Chittendon Solid Waste District

Bob Capadona

Vice President, Resource Solutions

Casella

Shannon Crawford Gay

Director, Recycling & Environmental Policy

Waste Management

Sarah Reeves

Executive Director

Chittenden (Vt) Solid Waste District

Natalie Messer Betts

Assistant Vice President of Sustainability

Recycled Materials Association

9:15 am

Tour

Tour | Black Earth Compost

9:15 am – 11:50 am

Offsite Tour

Come see Black Earth Compost’s facility! Black Earth breaks down food scraps, leaves and compostable packaging, collected from residents, schools, supermarkets, colleges, and more, all across Eastern MA and RI. Since their start in 2011, Black Earth has steadily grown to become the leading full service compost company in New England. They are also the only vertically integrated company that composts the material too, returning it to customers and selling it in garden centers across Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Black Earth only accepts compostable packaging by BPI, CMA or TUV, and has also done annual testing on PFAS. Learn about their CHaRM Program – Collection of Hard to Recycle Materials, including items such as plastic films, sytrofoam, cartons and more!

Cost: $75
Capacity: 29
RSVP is required and can be added through your registration.

9:30 am

Presentation | Policy

Presentation | Optimizing EPR Reporting and Material Efficiency Through Smarter Data Management

9:30 am – 10:00 am

Ensemble D

As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations become increasingly complex, organizations must efficiently scale reporting and identify opportunities for alternative material usage.
In this presentation, we will explore how utilizing detailed specification data can enable EPR compliance and drive significant reductions in material sourcing. With a digitized approach to your spec data strategy, companies not only ensure regulatory adherence but can also promote sustainability by identifying opportunities for material reduction.

Moderator: Lucy Pierce, Sr Project Manager SPC, GreenBlue
Speaker: Katie Krasts, Sr Product Manager, Specright

Katie Krasts

Sr. Product Manager

Specright

Lucy Pierce

Sr. Project Manager, SPC

GreenBlue

9:45 am

Presentation | Innovation

Presentation | The Road to a BPI Home Compostable Certification

9:45 am – 10:20 am

Contemporary

If you make or use compostable packaging, you likely know that the North American market has only had a certification option for industrial (also known as commercial) compostability. Yet many brands are also interested in pursuing home compostable certification, so that they can appeal to consumers that do not have access to composting collection programs. To meet this need, BPI has been hard at work developing this certification option, working through numerous challenges. Join Margaret Eldridge, Certification Director from BPI to hear about their progress towards rolling out the new home compostable component to their certification.

Moderator: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
Speaker: Margaret Eldridge, Certification Director, BPI

Margaret Eldridge

Certification Director

BPI

Olga Kachook

Director, SPC

GreenBlue

9:45 am

Panel | Carbon

Panel | Advanced Decarbonization – Paper Mill Movement into Carbon Capture

9:45 am – 10:30 am

Marquee

This session will cover significant developments and opportunities in the carbon capture sector directly relating to paper-based packaging. From government grants to joint partnerships with paper mills, carbon capture operators and highly visible consumers, the panel will explore the potential for carbon reduction in the paper packaging industry, how carbon markets value these opportunities and ways CPG can investigate participating. The panel will share published data and insights from current projects in development. The panel will also discuss consumer interest in decarbonization and whether big tech and financial consumers may try and participate by purchasing CDRs. What is more valuable for sustainability efforts, sequestered carbon utilized to decarbonize physical packaging within that value chain or as CDRs?

Moderator: Brad Kurzynowski, SPC Manager Fiber, GreenBlue
Panelists:
Trip Jobe, VP, Sales – Forest Value Chain, North America, ResourceWise
Jonathan Rhone, CEO, CO280

Trip Jobe

VP Sales

ResourceWise

Jonathan Rhone

CEO

CO280

Brad Kurzynowski

Manager, Fiber, SPC

GreenBlue

9:50 am

Panel | Recovery

Panel | Small Format, Big Impact: Collaborative Solutions for Small Packaging Recovery in the U.S.

9:50 am – 10:30 am

Ensemble EFG

Today, small-format packaging slips through the cracks in recycling equipment, contaminating the glass recycling stream. These materials end up in landfills and incinerators, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental, social and economic outcomes, with no curbside solutions in sight. This panel will explore the cross-sector collaboration needed to tackle the challenge of recovering small-format packaging. It will delve into innovative packaging design, advancements in recycling technology, and the upgrades necessary for U.S. facilities to prevent valuable materials from being lost in the recycling process.

Moderator: Tom Pollock, Director of Strategic Partnerships, GreenBlue
Panelists:
Nicol Sobczyk Costello, VP Circular Economy, L’Oreal
Georgia Sherwin, Senior Director, Strategy & Partnerships, Closed Loop Partners
Noah Gajda, Principal Scientist – ESG/Tech Packaging R&D, Kraft Heinz

Nicol Sobczyk Costello

VP Circular Economy

L’Oreal

Georgia Sherwin

Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships

Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners

Noah Gajda

Principal Scientist – ESG/Tech Packaging R&D

Kraft Heinz

Tom Pollock

Director, Strategic Partnerships

GreenBlue

10:00 am

Tour

Tour | Casella Waste Systems MRF

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Offsite Tour

Tour Casella Waste Systems’ newly upgraded Boston facility, the largest MRF on the East Coast and the fourth-largest in the country! This $20 million renovation expanded capacity from 500 to 1,500 tons, integrating more operating flexibility, new artificial intelligence and sorting capabilities, cleaner commodities and a lower headcount. First, visitors will convene in the MRF education room for an overview of Casella’s recycling program and a description of the recently renovated Charlestown facility. Next, they will walk through the facility with a guide to observe the operation. Finally, the group will return to the education room for questions and discussion.

Cost: $75
Capacity: 19
RSVP is required and can be added through your registration.

10:00 am

Presentation | Policy

Presentation | What can be learned from EPR developments in the UK and EU

10:00 am – 10:30 am

Ensemble D

An overview of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations and how it compares to the UK’s newly implemented EPR system. What can be learned from nearly 30 years of producer responsibility across Europe, including what should be replicated and what should never be repeated. Analysis and insight from a leading voice in polluter pays policy.

Moderator: Lucy Pierce, Sr Project Manager SPC, GreenBlue
Speaker: Robbie Staniforth, Innovation and Policy Director, Ecosurety

Robbie Staniforth

Innovation and Policy Director

Ecosurety

Lucy Pierce

Sr. Project Manager, SPC

GreenBlue

11:15 am

Presentation | Innovation

Presentation | Packaging Material Battle Royale

11:15 am – 12:00 pm

Contemporary

Packaging material decision-making will always come with trade-offs, leading to uncertainty and confusion as to which materials should be selected. To move forward, companies need to take a clear-eyed approach to packaging materials. The SPC has published a decision-matrix for the most common single-use packaging materials to assist companies in making informed decisions about trade-offs. This session will provide an overview of the new resource, and feature a panel discussion on the included packaging materials.

Speakers: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue and Brad Kurzynowski, SPC Manager-Fiber, GreenBlue

Olga Kachook

Director, SPC

GreenBlue

Brad Kurzynowski

Manager, Fiber, SPC

GreenBlue

11:15 am

Debate | Collaboration

Debate | Balloon Debate: Walking in Someone Else’s Packaging

11:15 am – 12:00 pm

Marquee

In a sector fuelled by innovation, continuous improvement, and fierce competition, packaging professionals are constantly under pressure to prove their value. But what happens when they’re asked to defend other solutions, they don’t actually champion? In this dynamic balloon debate, leading industry experts will step outside their comfort zones—representing sectors they don’t belong to. Expect insight, challenge, and a healthy dose of role-reversal fun as each panellist fights to keep their ‘adopted’ packaging format in the metaphorical balloon.
Host: Trevor Yong, Client Services Director, Aura

The Line-Up:
Paper/Cartonboard converter defends the case for plastics – Danielle Kohler, Billerud
Plastics converter argues the benefits of carton board – John Avolio, NOVA Chem
Solution provider takes on the role of a retailer – Gillian Garside-Wight, Aura
Retailer steps into the shoes of a solution provider –
This debate promises fresh perspectives, unexpected angles, and a whole new appreciation for the challenges other parts of the industry face.

Trevor Yong

Client Services Director

Aura

Daniella Kohler

Senior Brand Sales Executive, Cartonboard USA

Billerud

John Avolio

Value Chain Manager

NOVA Chem

Gillian Garside-Wight

Consulting Director

Aura

11:15 am

Panel | Policy

Panel | What makes for good PrePR?

11:15 am – 12:00 pm

Ensemble EFG

While some states were able to dive right into EPR and others are still facing an uphill battle to pass a law, there are those somewhere in the middle with “PrePR” bills. Short for Pre- EPR, these bills essentially lay the groundwork for an EPR bill through a needs assessment, typically directing the state environmental agency to hire a consultant to dig deeper into things like the state’s recycling and composting infrastructure, costs, and systems. Once the data is collected and questions have been answered some feel they are better positioned to know if EPR is a solution for that state. Others see needs assessments fitting easily into the full EPR bill, and see these bills as unnecessary. In this panel we will explore the pros and cons of “PrePR” bills, understand how they impact the greater packaging political landscape in the US, and hear from representatives on lessons learned through their PrePR experience.

Moderator: Lucy Pierce, Sr Project Manager SPC, GreenBlue
Panelists:
Abigail Sztein, Executive Director, Recovered Fiber, American Forest & Paper Association
Carol Patterson, VP Government Affairs, Foodservice Packaging Institute
Michael Wasserman, Senior Consultant, Eunomia

Abigail Sztein

Director, Recovered Fiber

American Forest & Paper Association

Carol Patterson

VP Government Relations

Foodservice Packaging Institute

Michael Wasserman

Senior Consultant

Eunomia

Lucy Pierce

Sr. Project Manager, SPC

GreenBlue

11:15 am

Podcast | Recovery

Talking Rubbish Podcast

11:15 am – 12:00 pm

Encore

Following the success of The Rubbish Book (a guide aimed at helping people recycle better and with more knowledge of the process), James Piper launched the Talking Rubbish Podcast as a platform to dive into the latest recycling issues, debunk myths and analyze current events in the world of waste management and sustainability. Teamed up with Robbie Staniforth, Policy Director at Ecosurety, the podcast will break down complex recycling processes, tackle interesting topics and answer audience questions. This podcast will center on the differences in Recycling Systems in the US and the UK.

Podcasts Hosts: James Piper, Co-host of the Talking Rubbish podcast, Co-owner of Ecosurety, Chair of City to Sea, Author of The Rubbish Book, and Non-Executive Director, OPRL and Robbie Staniforth, Innovation and Policy Director, Ecosurety

James Piper

Author, The Rubbish Book

Robbie Staniforth

Innovation and Policy Director

Ecosurety

11:15 am

Presentation and Fireside Chat | Recovery

Presentation and Fireside Chat | Unmasking Consumer Behavior on Flexible Packaging Recycling

11:15 am – 12:00 am

Film is not yet curbside recyclable in the US and instead relies heavily on the store drop-off (SDO) systems provided by retailers with support of How2Recycle label that communicates disposal instructions to consumers. But how aware are consumers that certain retail stores have bins to collect plastic bags and flexible packaging? What behaviors and habits do consumers currently have around recycling via SDO? What materials and how often do they recycle? What opportunities can we uncover for SDO programs to be more successful with consumers?

Speakers: Paula Leardini, SPC Manager, Circular Plastics, GreenBlue
Dr. Rebecca Mick, Program Director – Film and Packaging Innovation, The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR)

Paula Leardini

Manager, Circular Plastics, SPC

GreenBlue

Dr. Rebecca Mick

Program Director, Film & Packaging Innovation

Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR)

12:00 pm

Networking

Lunch

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm

Ensemble Foyer

1:45 pm

Main Stage

Main Stage First Block

1:45 pm – 3:30 pm

Ensemble DEFG

1:45 pm – 2:10 pm Opening Remarks
Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue

2:10 pm – 2:45 pm Keynote | Is the World Better Off Because Your Business is In It? Gigatrends and the Drive to Net Positive
The days of companies focusing solely on short-term shareholder profits are behind us. Companies are under incredible pressure to play an active role in solving our most urgent challenges, such as climate change and inequality, and help build a thriving world. Why is this happening, and how are companies responding? Renowned strategist Andrew Winston helps companies understand this new world. Based on his book Net Positive, Andrew’s inspiring talk will explore:
– The existential challenges and massive trends which are reshaping how we live, work, eat, travel, and much more.
– How and why key stakeholders – such as investors, customers, and employees – are applying immense pressure on business
– How to build companies that thrive by solving the world’s problems, not creating them
What leadership looks like using concrete examples of companies around the world profiting from sustainability
Andrew’s message is clear: business has the tools and skills to help build a thriving world. This talk will leave listeners with a fresh understanding of business today, and inspired by the scale and urgency of our shared challenges and opportunities.
Speaker: Andrew Winston, Global Expert on Megatrends and Sustainable Business and Author of Green to Gold, The Big Pivot, and Net Positive

2:45 pm – 3:05 pm Main Stage Talk + Interview | Boston’s Bold Agenda on Climate Action
As Boston’s first Chief Climate Officer, Brian Swett is charged with spearheading the Mayor’s bold agenda on climate action throughout the City while advancing Boston’s commitment to sustainability, resilience, and environmental justice. In this talk, Chief Swett will share the work he’s driving in resilience, decarbonization and energy transition within the context of climate justice.
Moderator: Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
Speaker: Brian Swett, Chief Climate Officer, City of Boston

Paul Nowak

Executive Director

GreenBlue

Andrew Winston

Global Expert on Megatrends and Sustainable Business

Brian Swett

Chief Climate Officer

City of Boston

3:30 pm

Networking

Networking Break

3:30 pm – 4:15 pm

Ensemble ABC

4:15 pm

Main Stage

Main Stage Second Block

4:15 pm – 5:00 pm

Ensemble DEFG

4:15 pm – 4:35 pm Main Stage Talk + Fireside Chat | Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics
Rick Smith, Executive Producer and Author of the award-winning feature documentary Plastic People will share the film insights into our addiction to plastic and the growing threat of microplastics on human health: almost every bit of plastic ever made breaks down into “microplastics.” These microscopic particles drift in the air, float in all bodies of water, and mix into the soil, becoming a permanent part of the environment. Now, leading scientists are finding these particles in our bodies: organs, blood, brain tissue, and even the placentas of new mothers. What is the impact of these invisible invaders on our health? And can anything be done about it?
Moderator: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
Speaker: Rick Smith, Executive Producer and Author of the Plastic People Documentary and President of the Canadian Climate Institute

4:35 pm – 5:00 pm Main Stage Talk + Interview | Decarbonization Strong Momentum: Sustainability as a Value Creation Engine
PwC’s recent State of Decarbonization reports shows there remains a strong commitment to sustainability as a source of business value. Companies may be talking less about their climate pledges, but many are focused on addressing rising energy demands, protecting value at risk, responding to evolving customer expectations, and designing their operations to secure long-term growth and resilience. In this talk, David Linich will share rich insights from the recent study and its learnings on how product sustainability gains a strong foothold as a critical growth engine.
Moderator: Tom Pollock, Director Strategic Partnerships, GreenBlue
Speaker: David Linich, Sustainability Principal, PwC US

Rick Smith

President

Canadian Climate Institute

Olga Kachook

Director, SPC

GreenBlue

David Linich

Principal, Sustainability

PwC

Tom Pollock

Director, Strategic Partnerships

GreenBlue

Evening Social

Evening Social at Puttshack

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RSVP is required and will open closer to the event date.

Agenda

Sunday, September 28th, 2025

Monday, September 29th, 2025

Tuesday, September 30th, 2025

Wednesday, October 1st, 2025