Crazy About Packaging: Conversations with the C.A.P. Pack

ICPG
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Welcome to Crazy About Packaging, an ICPG podcast dedicated to helping food companies enhance their competitive advantage. Through expert interviews, technology deep dives, and how-to sessions, we work together to educate the industry on the next generation of food packaging materials, technology, and expertise. Listen in as the C.A.P. Pack - Jonathan Cage, Mike Moren, and Natalie MacVarish - discuss the latest in packaging.

  1. 4D AGO

    Season 3, Episode 6: Food Safety Validation in Packaging

    🧪 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — unpack a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime: food safety in packaging. Before a package hits a production line, let alone store shelves, it has to pass a series of tests, audits, and validations to make sure it’s safe. This episode breaks down what that process actually looks like, and why switching materials is never just plug-and-play. 🔍 Tune in to explore: Why regulatory reviews, migration testing, and seal integrity are non-negotiable for food-safe packagingWhat happens when packaging materials interact with food (and why it’s not as simple as checking a box)How packaging that “works” in theory can fall apart in transit or fail in real-world useThe step-by-step process teams go through when changing packaging materials🎯 If you’ve ever wondered why packaging changes take months or what really goes into validating a new structure, this episode lays it out. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and email us your questions at icpg@impactgroup.co. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next!

    42 min

  2. JAN 13

    Season 3, Episode 5: A Look Back at Packaging and Sustainability in 2025

    📦 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — kick off 2026 by reflecting on the year that just wrapped. What actually changed in packaging and sustainability in 2025? What still needs work? And what should brands be preparing for right now? From PCR availability to shifting regulations to consumer trust in recycling, this episode breaks down where we saw real momentum and where confusion is still holding the industry back. 🔍 Tune in to explore: Why consumer doubt is one of the biggest threats to recycling success How 2025 moved the conversation around PCR from theory to reality — especially for PP What different regions are doing when it comes to policy, and why fragmentation is slowing progress Why mono-material packaging is gaining ground and what it means for design and manufacturing The risks of waiting too long — and the importance of building for long-term impact 🎯 If you’re trying to make sense of what 2025 meant for packaging — and what 2026 is likely to bring — this episode lays it out clearly. Less guesswork, more action. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and send us your questions at icpg@impactgroup.co. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

    49 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Season 3, Episode 4: The C.A.P. Pack on the Move

    Crazy About Packaging: Season 3, Episode 4 – The C.A.P. Pack on the Move 🌍 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the C.A.P. Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — reflect on what they’ve learned from working with packaging teams around the world. From Europe to South America, the team has spent so much time traveling, talking with manufacturers, and presenting at global packaging summits. One thing is clear: no matter the region, everyone is facing the same challenges: shifting regulations, polystyrene replacement, and pressure to move toward more sustainable solutions without slowing down production. 🔍 Tune in to explore: Why polystyrene phase-out is a global trend (and how XPP is helping teams make the switch) How regulatory uncertainty is pushing companies to create different packaging strategies by region Why recyclability depends on infrastructure — and why it varies so much from place to place Surprising non-food FFS applications for XPP, from pest control trays to snap-cap dosing systems What global brands are doing now to prepare for what's next 🎯 Whether you're based in Berlin or Boston, this episode brings a global perspective to packaging strategy and highlights what it takes to move fast without falling behind. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and reach out at icpg@impactgroup.co with your packaging questions. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

    44 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    Season 3, Episode 3: You Asked, We Answered — All About XPP

    🧃 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack, Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan, finally answer the questions they get asked most about ICPG’s flagship material: XPP. You’ve heard us talk about XPP before — but this time, we’re getting specific. What is it? Can it run on your current form fill seal line? How does it compare to PET? Why does it matter if it “snaps”? And what’s the deal with sustainability? We cover it all. 🔍 Tune in to explore: What makes XPP different from other polypropylene materials (hint: a lot) Why it works on polystyrene-designed FFS lines with minimal disruption How it compares to PET in weight, recyclability, tooling wear, and barrier needs What applications it’s best suited for — from dairy multipacks to hot fill and aseptic How major brands like General Mills are already using it today 🎯 If you’re still using polystyrene, evaluating options for recyclable packaging, or just trying to understand what sets XPP apart, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram, or send us your questions at icpg@impactgroup.co. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

    34 min

  5. 10/14/2025

    Season 3, Episode 2: What Do Sustainability Buzzwords Actually Mean?

    🌱 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — are joined by Paige Greenberg, Sustainable Packaging Engineer at Plastic Ingenuity, to break down one of the most overused (and misunderstood) parts of packaging today: sustainability buzzwords. We’re talking about those words we see everywhere — recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, circular, reusable — and digging into what they actually mean, how they’re misused, and why it matters. 🔍 Tune in to explore: The differences between biodegradable, compostable, and oxo-degradable (yes, there’s a big one) What “circularity” really looks like How reuse systems can fall short without infrastructure and consumer buy-in Why terms like “sustainable” are values-driven, and how that shapes strategy What manufacturers and brands can do to bring clarity instead of confusion 🎯 If your team is trying to make smart, sustainable packaging choices — or just trying to understand what all these labels mean — this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and drop us a note at icpg@impactgroup.co with any packaging buzzwords you want us to tackle next. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming. We’ll see you in the next episode!

    51 min

  6. 09/09/2025

    Season 3, Episode 1: The Blunder Years: Exploring Some of Packaging's Greatest Misses

    Crazy About Packaging: Season 3, Episode 1 – The Blunder Years💥 Welcome back to a new season of Crazy About Packaging! In our Season 3 premiere, the CAP Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — take a look back at some of the biggest packaging fails we’ve seen (and a few we’ve personally been part of). From melted PLA containers to packaging you need scissors to open, this episode is full of real-world examples of what happens when good ideas miss the mark. And more importantly, what we can learn from them. 🔍 Tune in to explore: What went wrong with some of the most infamous packaging fails in recent yearsWhy well-intentioned “sustainability” moves can create new problems for consumers Real stories from the CAP Pack’s past projects, from nacho cheese disasters to melted prototypes The small details that make or break a package once it hits the real world 🎯 If you’ve ever had a packaging concept fall apart in testing (or worse, in-market), you’re not alone. This episode is packed with cautionary tales and a few laughs, and it just might help you avoid your own blunder. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Join the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram, and email us your packaging fail stories at icpg@impactgroup.co. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

    44 min

  7. 08/12/2025

    Season 2, Episode 12: Standardizing Recycling in a Fragmented System

    ♻️ In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, we’re joined by Nyssa Thongthai, Senior Project Manager at How2Recycle, to talk about one of the most confusing areas in packaging today: recycling. Why is it so difficult to know what can be recycled — and what’s actually being done to fix the problem? Nyssa shares her technical expertise from over a decade in polymer development and sustainable packaging assessment, and helps us understand why recycling rules vary so much, what How2Recycle really evaluates, and how we can move toward a more consistent, functional system. 🎧 This episode, get clarity on real-world recycling issues like: Why recycling isn’t the same in every city — and what that means for packaging designers and consumers How outdated recycling facilities limit what gets accepted, even if the material is recyclable elsewhere The five criteria How2Recycle uses to determine whether packaging is recyclable in practice — not just in theory What it will take to shift from a fragmented system to one that works for consumers, brands, and recyclers Why designing packaging for recyclability from the start is the most effective fix 🧠 You’ll also hear why even packaging experts second-guess recycling labels, and how consumer awareness is helping drive the industry forward. Nyssa breaks down the system piece by piece and shares practical insights for building packaging that actually gets recycled. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram. Subscribe to stay up to date on the latest packaging insights and industry voices!

    49 min

  8. 07/08/2025

    Season 2, Episode 11: Debunking 10 Common Packaging Myths

    In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack take aim at one of the biggest sources of confusion in the industry: packaging misinformation. From dramatic headlines to misquoted studies, there’s no shortage of bad information floating around. This episode takes on 10 of the most common myths about plastics and sustainability (and explains what’s actually true). This isn’t about defending poor design or pretending everything’s working fine. It’s about getting clear on the facts, so teams can make better decisions without getting sidetracked by noise. 🔍 Tune in to explore: Why “all plastic is bad” is an oversimplification that misses the real story How alternative materials like glass and paper may create more problems than they solve What “biodegradable” actually means, and why it doesn’t always help The truth about recycling: where it works, where it doesn’t, and why that’s changing How shifting the blame to plastic distracts from the real issue — infrastructure and behavior 🎯 Whether you're new to packaging or deep in the sustainability weeds, this episode breaks down the myths that keep teams stuck and gives you the clarity to move forward. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Join the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram, and email us your questions at icpg@impactgroup.co. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

    44 min
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About

Welcome to Crazy About Packaging, an ICPG podcast dedicated to helping food companies enhance their competitive advantage. Through expert interviews, technology deep dives, and how-to sessions, we work together to educate the industry on the next generation of food packaging materials, technology, and expertise. Listen in as the C.A.P. Pack - Jonathan Cage, Mike Moren, and Natalie MacVarish - discuss the latest in packaging.

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