Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors presented by Atlantic Packaging

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Bethelhem Dejene to discuss her journey from observing waste at an Ethiopian fruit and vegetable market to founding Zafree Papers, an award-winning startup manufacturing tree-free virgin pulp from banana farm waste. Bethelhem shares how she iterated through multiple business models before discovering the potential of banana fiber, how Zafree partners with converters to supply sustainable packa...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Adam Brundage from Nike to discuss the company's wide-ranging sustainability efforts. Adam shares his unconventional path into sustainability beginning with a degree in meteorology and atmospheric science and how that led him to learning about life-cycle assessments, discovering greenhouse gas analysis, and pursuing a decade-long career at one of the world's most iconic brands.

Key Topics Discu...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Danielle Goad to discuss her journey at Specright, her recent move to London to lead the EMEA division, and the growing importance of packaging data management in the age of PPWR. Danielle shares how Specright helps companies build a foundational data infrastructure to navigate complex regulations, reduce reporting burdens, and drive sustainable innovation. She and Cory also reflect on the Sus...

In this episode, Cory Connors reconnects with his friend Mitch Rovito from Burton Snowboards following a tour of Burton's Vermont facility. Mitch shares his unique origin story — writing a mock cover letter to Burton as an 18-year-old packaging student at RIT — and how that dream became reality. The conversation explores Burton's deep-rooted culture of curiosity and sustainability under founder Jake Burton's legacy and ...

 In this special live episode recorded at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee during the Sustainable Packaging Coalition Impact Event, Cory Connors shares the stage with Olga Kachook to present the Third Annual Sustainable Packaging Trends Report for 2025–2026. Olga walks through the four key trends shaping the industry and dives deeper into each one in conversation with Cory, covering everything from ...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Dana Voges to discuss her remarkable journey from growing up visiting landfills on Take Your Kid to Work Day in Colorado, to leading reusable packaging innovation in Germany. Dana shares how SEA ME and their open pool system Zerooo are building a scalable, brand-agnostic reuse infrastructure for cosmetics and personal care — and what the rest of the world can learn from Germany's deposit...

In this episode, Cory Connors sits down with Sydney Grier, Packaging Lead at Mill, to explore how the company is tackling one of the most overlooked environmental problems: household food waste. Sydney shares her journey from studying environmental management at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to becoming a packaging engineer, and how she ended up joining Mill — then operating in stealth mode as Chewy Labs. Together, Cory and Sydney...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Kyle Pischel and Jake Wyns to discuss the Atlantic Packaging Solutions Center — what it is, how it came to be, and the innovative work happening inside it every day. Kyle shares his background in packaging, from studying at Michigan State to working on Coca-Cola's packaging innovations team before joining Atlantic. Jake recounts his decade at Atlantic, beginning with a deep dive into str...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes  Predrag Ozmo to discuss the sustainability story behind Ball Corporation — the world's largest aluminum packaging manufacturer, producing more than 100 billion cans per year. Predrag shares his background growing up in Serbia and his early career at MiTeCo, a hazardous waste management company specializing in chemical, pharmaceutical, and PCB waste, before moving to Inos Balkan (pa...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Atlantic Packaging President  Wes Carter  and New Earth Ventures Managing Partner Matt Saunders for an exciting announcement: the official launch of New Earth Ventures (NEV), a venture capital firm launching in partnership with Atlantic Packaging. Wes shares how Atlantic's decades-long commitment to packaging innovation and sustainability laid the foundation for NEV, while Matt discu...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Malcolm Waugh, CEO of Frugalpac, to explore the innovation behind the Frugal Bottle — a paper‑based alternative to traditional glass packaging. Malcolm walks through his engineering‑rooted career, his years at Tetra Pak, and how he ultimately joined Frugalpac to help lead a packaging revolution. He explains how the paper bottle dramatically reduces carbon emissions, why it maintains a fa...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Julia Bialetska to discuss her journey from bioecology to tech, and ultimately to creating S.Lab — a company producing mycelium‑based packaging that replaces polystyrene. Julia shares how witnessing massive plastic pollution in Bali inspired her to take action, eventually leading to the development of a fully compostable, natural material made from plant waste and mushroom mycelium. She ...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes longtime friend and industry innovator Matthew Wright to discuss his newest venture, Forest, a platform designed to organize and modernize the packaging industry. Matthew shares the vision behind Forest, how it builds on his work with Specright, and why the packaging marketplace desperately needs better structure, transparency, and technology. Forest aims to simplify how companies find supplie...

In this episode, Cory Connors sits down with Ric Lee of Atlantic Packaging to discuss one of the most impactful sustainability programs in the packaging industry today: MUST. Ric shares his 30-year journey through the packaging and equipment world and explains how his experience led to the development and expansion of MUST, a first-of-its-kind stretch film management system. The conversation highlights a major announcement around t...

In this episode, Cory Connors talks with Benjamin Draper, CEO of the Hemp Paper Company, about how he entered the industry and why he believes tree‑free, hemp‑based paper can transform sustainable packaging. Benjamin explains how fast‑growing industrial hemp offers environmental advantages such as reduced deforestation, strong recyclable fibers, and soil‑improving benefits. He also shares how his company creates chemical‑free, U.S‑...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Jane Chase to discuss her path into packaging, the value of IoPP membership, and how the organization supports professionals through education, certification, and community. Jane shares her engineering background, why the CPP credential matters, and how IoPP’s programs—from Fundamentals of Packaging Technology to sustainability, medical device, and project management courses—...

In this episode, Cory Connors talks with Paul Hendricks, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance (TCA), which unites over 200 companies to protect vital U.S. lands and waters. Paul shares his journey from Michigan’s forests to leadership roles at Patagonia, Rivian, and now TCA. He explains how the Alliance funds grassroots conservation work, mobilizes business voices, and drives policy wins—including protecting ...

In this episode of Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors, Cory welcomes Lindsay Dahl, a long‑time environmental health advocate and current Chief Impact Officer at Ritual. Lindsay shares insights from her 20‑year career working to eliminate toxic chemicals from our homes, products, and environment — including packaging.

The conversation explores Ritual’s sustainability journey, their data‑driven approach to pac...

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Loïc Vandermeeren, founder and CEO of KWiiD, to discuss the innovative reusable box system reshaping sustainable packaging. Loïc shares how his background in IT and pharma, combined with a desire to reduce waste, inspired him to develop collapsible reusable packaging made from a fabric exterior and a replaceable corrugated insert. He explains how KWiiD boxes provide speed, durability, and cost...