Episode #32: Packaging: the best starting point for more circular solutions and products?
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Episode #32: Podcast Show Notes
Introduction
Packaging: the best starting point for more circular solutions and products? That was the title of the online Euro-Canadian Roundtable on December 15th, 2022, as a side event of the World Circular Economy Forum.
And this episode is broadcasting the core conversation with our 6 inspiring panelists, from both continents.
They raised some key points in terms of materials, consumers, waste, design, and GHG related to packaging. This captivating panel also highlighted the role of regulations as well as pre-competitive collaboration to expand circular packaging solutions.
It was a real pleasure to organize and co-moderate this event with Anne-Laure Bulliffon. I hope you will benefit at the maximum from the good vibes that lead this initiative. And I can’t wait to foster more Euro-Canadian bridging dialogues like this one. On this note: Keep in mind – right after this listening – to click on the very quick survey link to lay the foundations of our next event!
Link to the post-panel survey
We want to HEAR FROM YOU!
This less than 5 min feedback will lay the foundations of our next Euro-Canadian Roundtables about packaging transition towards more circularity: https://5ef1ucivz7f.typeform.com/to/UYYXx256
Thank you!
A bit more about our 6 Canadian and European panelists (with their short bios in alphabetical order)
Annebeth De Witte, CoPackx, The Netherlands
Annebeth de Witte – owner of Copackx - helps FMCG companies with sustainable packaging development – as independent expertised project lead. Since 2020 she worked for companies like Henkel, JDEcoffee, HEMA, Riversidenaturals, Daelmans banket and Brandmasters.
Copackx motto is “your companion in packaging”. Help FMCG companies from inside with sustainable packaging, bringing the expertise from outside”
Geneviève Dionne, Eco Entreprises Québec, Montréal
Geneviève Dionne has been a member of Éco Entreprises Québec’s (ÉEQ) since 2010, and is the architect behind the packaging eco-design training and guidance team.
Over the years, her expertise has served as part of several initiatives, such as the development of a Web portal and a simplified life cycle analysis tool for companies seeking to integrate packaging eco-design into their business practices, eco-modulation incentives as well as bold projects, such as an international packaging eco-design contest, an exhibition of the projects presented and co-authoring a book titled «Avons-nous besoin d'un autre emballage?» (Do we need another package?) and lately, the documentary «Unwrapping» (Tout déballer) about packaging, design and circularity.
Ms. Dionne also has regular invitations as a guest speaker to share her insights on packaging eco-design, recyclability and the transformation of business practices.
Ms. Dionne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and a Master’s degree in Applied Sciences from the Faculty of Planning at University of Montréal (UdeM). She also has a graduate diploma specializing in Management and Sustainable Development from HEC Montréal and is a visiting professor at the University of Montréal’s School of Industrial Design.
Jean-François Guillerez, Conestoga College, Toronto
Jean-François Guillerez teaches Packaging Science at Packaging Programs at the School of Engineering and Technology at Conestoga College in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
He holds a Master Degree Of Packaging Science from the French Engineering school ESIREIMS ( esiec) École nationale supérieure d’ingénieurs de Reims completed by a Master degree in Environmental Engineering from Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland). He is also a lifetime Certified Packaging Professional.
He has an extensive experience in Packaging design & development in Europe, North & South America. He worked for over 20 years in large food companies such as Nestlé, Maple Leaf Foods, Mondelez Intl. Active member of the Institute of Packaging Professional (Ontario Chapter), Jean-François is also on the Innovation Advisory Council of the Canadian Food Innovation Network.
Jonne Hellgren, RePack, Finland
Jonne Hellgren grew up in a small town in Finnish Lapland and moved to live and study Management in the UK.
He is the CEO and co-founder of RePack, the first reusable packaging service for e-commerces helping to reduce waste and carbon footprint. Today, RePack is used by hundreds of online retailers in Europe and North America from global giants to brand owners. It's a multi-award-winning innovation that combines product, operational, and business model design in an elegant way.
His background includes years of exposure to LCA's and ESG strategies of cities, companies, products, and supply chains, as well as countless hours in warehouses. This makes him enjoy working in the business and on the business.
Arnaud Lancelot, Cozie, France
Arnaud is the CEO & co-founder of Cozie, a French cosmetic brand of natural & organic skin care products. Cozie is a pioneer in the circular economy: all the bottles are reused thanks to 2 schemes: deposit and in-store bulk.
In parallel, Cozie is also providing all cosmetic brands with consulting services and bulk equipments to boost their market launch with reusable solutions.
In short, Arnaud is passionate and dedicated to the circular economy – considering it as a crucial pillar to a sustainable development.
Valerie Langer, Canopy, British Columbia
Valerie Langer is the Fibre Solutions Strategist at Canopy. She has been engaged in forest conservation initiatives for over 30 years. She works with non-profit, Canopy to accelerate globally availability of Next Generation alternatives to tree fibre pulp for manufacturing paper, packaging and Man Made Cellulosic Fibres.
Valerie’s focus is on large scale forest conservation by leveraging markets, investments and innovation. She was on Canopy’s founding Steering Committee, is a Donella Meadows Fellow and, along with colleagues who helped craft the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements, was a recipient of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge Award.
About the 2 moderators
Anne-Laure Bulliffon, Albumine, France / Profil’Pack, Canada
As an entrepreneur committed to ecological change, Anne-Laure founded PROFIL'PACK in Montreal in 2013 and ALBUMINE in Chambéry, France, in 2020.
On both sides of the Atlantic, the two agencies share a common mission: to enable food and cosmetics manufacturers to rethink their packaging systems in order to include their products in the virtuous circle of the circular economy, to reduce waste and ecological impacts.
Thanks to of her dual Franco-Quebec culture, she is keen to put her expertise and network of multidisciplinary collaborators in Canada and France to good use by creating a bridge of resources and innovation between the two countries. Anne-Laure is convinced that collective intelligence and access to innovation are the keys to a successful ecological transition.
Anne-Laure graduated from ESIREIMS in 2005 with a master's degree in packaging engineering. She specialized in change management and environmental diagnostic tools (LCA, carbon footprint,...) and circular economy at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts & Métiers in 2020.
Colienne Regout, Look4Loops, Canada / Belgium
Colienne is the CEO and founder of Look4Loops.
Colienne blends her research, operations, and user experience expertise at Look4Loops to regenerate business models for profit, people and planet. Her unique perspective on the circular economy is grounded in both her European and Canadian experience.
As the 2022 Business of the Year of the CCF of Vancouver, besides analyzing through audits and operating «redesign, reuse, and regenerate» opportunities in the field, Colienne teaches at universities and facilitates interactive workshops. And when it comes to rethinking packaging, she has the ‘Develop Circular Packaging Solutions’ online training and she hosts the ‘Unboxing Your Packaging’ podcast.
Podcast music
Special thanks to Joachim Regout who made the jingle. Have a look at his work here.
I am happy to bring a sample of our strong bonds on these sound waves. Since I was a child, he made me discover a wide range of music of all kinds. I am also delighted he is a nature lover and shares the Look4Loops 'out of the box philosophy'. He is an inspiring source of creativity for me.