Converge Vienna 2026 – GreenBlue Events

Vienna | July 14-16 | 2026

This global event will bring together key stakeholders from developing and industrialized countries through UNIDO’s Leadership and the food and packaging value chain through GreenBlue’s networking and membership. This unique opportunity to bring together perspective from around the world, will highlight Vienna’s role in Europe as a leader in packaging sustainability, global development and will help showcase Vienna’s unique attributes as a hosting city. Join us as we continue to grow our global partnerships to further our mission of a more just and sustainable economy.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Why Now?

Based on feedback from our valued members, few in the world are connecting the dots between recyclability, material choice, and EPR guidance like we are in North America. In this watershed moment, the need to reach across borders, markets, and varying barriers is at an inflection point with collaborative solutions needed not today, not tomorrow, but yesterday.

With active participation from strategic stakeholders, we will help to provide clarity and direction on best practices to adapt to a world of EPR.

Full Program Coming Soon!

Create Global Partnerships & Align on Goals

Connect with UN experts, Sustainable Packaging Coalition members, and global stakeholders to scale solutions.

Expand Your Global Footprint

Understand packaging demands and regulations in emerging and established markets all while meeting the world’s most ambitious sustainability standards.

Stay Ahead on Global Packaging Regulations

At the United Nations Office, you’ll hear from a panel of international experts and regulators on how you can align with evolving rules across the globe.

Experience Vienna’s Rich History of International Collaboration

Step outside the United Nations Office at Vienna and explore the city’s museums, palaces, and more.

Program

Morning | November 17 2025

8:00 am – 8:15 am Arrival & Check- in (please bring ID)

8:15 am – 9:00 am Breakfast & Networking

9:00 am – 9:10 am Welcome, Game plan for the Day
Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue

9:10 am – 9:20 am Presentation | Changing Materials in The Context of EPR
As more EPR programs in the U.S., UK, and EU start to outline the programs and set fees for producers, one thing is clear – materials will not be treated equally. Certain materials, especially difficult-to-recycle flexible packaging, are going to be charged higher fees, and producers will need to determine if their long-term strategy should revolve around accepting these costs or redesigning packaging to use lower-cost materials. Meanwhile, consumer acceptance and expectations around materials are also changing. There are no easy decisions, but opportunities for industry alignment abound. Learn from your peers and discuss shared strategies and ways forward.
Speaker: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue

9:20 am – 10:00 am Discussion by tables
Description Coming Soon!

10:00 am – 10:30 am Break
Refreshments will be provided

10:30 am -10:45 am Presentation | At a Glance: EPR Fees by Region and Material
Averaged EPR fees by broad material types and regions can give us valuable insights into the long-term implications of these programs on global packaging portfolios. If your organization hasn’t done this already, this presentation will put you on the fast track to understanding the trend lines for EPR fees for different materials, regions, and where to go from here.
Speaker: Michelle Carvell, COO, Lorax EPI

10:45 am – 12:00 pm Workshop | Scenario Modeling to Uncover Costs and Opportunities
It’s time to zoom out and look at the bigger picture – the opportunity to unlock other materials and formats when the full cost of EPR fees is considered. In this workshop, we’ll be using mock global packaging portfolios to play with three packaging design and EPR compliance scenarios – a status quo scenario that involves minimal redesign and high fees, a middle-road scenario with some redesign to lower-fee materials like paper, and a system redesign scenario that uses avoided fees to fund a transformation to reusable and biobased packaging.
Speaker: Julia Koskella, SYSTEMIQ – Invited
Afternoon | November 17 2025

12:00 pm – 12:45 Lunch will be provided

12:45 pm – 1:30 pm Panel | EPR’s Effect on the Changing Definition of Recyclability
How are EPR programs changing what materials and formats can be considered recyclable? Will certain materials be pushed off the market? In this session we will discuss how the covered materials and definitions of recyclability are changing in different regions and what implications they will have for packaging design and product portfolios.
Moderator: Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue

1:30 pm – 2:45 pm Presentation and Workshop | A Clean Slate: Reimagining Your Packaging Portfolio
Recyclability is changing. Certain materials are becoming more costly to rely on. Meanwhile, the opportunities for material reduction and redesigning for reuse and refill are massive and untapped. Given all this, how can you de-risk new materials and approaches and convince others in your organization to pursue a new path forward? What would it look like to take a “clean slate” approach to the challenges (and opportunities!) facing the packaging industry. You’ll be able to then apply these clean slate ideas to your current portfolio and bring back actionable ideas to your team.
Speaker: Paul Davidson, Challenge Director – Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging, UK Research and Innovation – invited

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm Break
Refreshments will be provided

3:15 pm – 4:15 pm Workshop | Engaging the Public in a new Packaging Paradigm
You’re changing your packaging portfolio, leaning into materials and formats that are easier to recycle, or designing new refillable solutions. But have you thought about how to bring along the average consumer? Learn how from Hubbub, a leading UK environmental organization that has been running decades of campaigns to problem-solve and connect with people – like making leftovers tastier, reuse easier, and second-hand the default. Their latest campaigns, including the Borrow Cup returnable scheme in Glasgow, have helped brands like Costa, Caffe Nero, and Burger King delight consumers by making it simple and rewarding to use returnable cups.

In this workshop, you’ll get ideas for how to run your own effective consumer engagement campaigns.
Moderator: Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue
Speaker: Gavin Ellis, Director and Co-Founder, Hubbub

4:15 pm – 4:30 pm Closing Comments
Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue and Olga Kachook, SPC Director, GreenBlue

Speakers

Paul Nowak

Executive Director

GreenBlue

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Olga Kachook

Director, SPC

GreenBlue

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Michelle Carvell

Director and COO

Lorax EPI

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Venue

etc.venues Monument

etc.venues Monument offers productive spaces with pops of colour and plenty of natural light, “The Brain Box,” an inspiring space with fun and eclectic decor on the wall, a pick-and-mix, and a foosball table for more informal and creative brainstorming sessions.

The location is in close proximity to four Mainline overground stations: Liverpool Street, Fenchurch Street, London Bridge, and Cannon Street.

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