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. 3D AGO

    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

  2. SEP 9

    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

  3. AUG 12

    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

  4. JUL 8

    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

  5. JUN 10

    Season 2, Episode 10: What It Really Takes to Replace Packaging Material

    📦 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the CAP Pack — Natalie, Mike, and Jonathan — dive into one of the most complex moves a packaging team can make: replacing materials. ⚙️ Whether it’s a shift from polystyrene to polypropylene or a move into molded fiber or paperboard, changing materials impacts everything from machinery to consumer experience. This episode breaks down why these changes happen, what makes them so hard, and how to do it without bringing your operations to a halt. 🔍 Tune in to explore: Why regulatory pressure, sustainability goals, and product performance often trigger material shifts How equipment limitations and team misalignment can turn a simple swap into a costly project Real-world examples of successful transitions and what made them work Tips for navigating the process, from trial runs to team coordination 🎯 If you’ve ever asked, “Can’t we just use a greener material?” this episode is for you. Material changes affect more than just the packaging. They ripple across procurement, operations, and the supply chain. We’ll show you how to approach them the right way. 🎧 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 if your team is facing a packaging pivot. Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next — we’ll see you in the next episode!

    41 min

  6. MAY 13

    Season 2, Episode 9: Behind the Scenes at the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition

    ♻️ In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, hosts Natalie and Jonathan are joined by Brittany LaValley, Vice President of Material Systems at The Recycling Partnership, to unpack how the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition is reshaping the future of polypropylene (PP) recovery. 🌟 From the unexpected story of how Brittany transitioned from fine arts to recycling innovation to the strategic moves behind regaining polypropylene’s “widely recyclable” label, this episode takes you behind the curtain of a material many overlook—but that plays a critical role in the circular economy. 🔍 Tune in to explore: How over $22 million in grants helped improve recycling access for more than 48 million people.Why consumer confusion remains the biggest barrier, and how tools like Recycle Check aim to close that gap.The unique strengths of polypropylene that make it worth the fight (think: heat resistance, food safety, and high clarity).What’s next for the Coalition, especially with emerging EPR legislation on the horizon. 🎯 Whether you're a packaging pro or just passionate about sustainability, this episode delivers the inside scoop on how collaborative, cross-industry action is making polypropylene recycling more effective and more accessible than ever before. 🎧 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 to stay in the loop on all things packaging!

    46 min

  7. APR 8

    Season 2, Episode 8: Using Life Cycle Analysis for More Sustainable Packaging Decisions

    Crazy About Packaging: Season 2, Episode 8 – Using Life Cycle Analysis for Smarter, More Sustainable Packaging Decisions 📦 In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the C.A.P. Pack is joined by sustainability consultant Neil Shackleton to dig into the world of life cycle analysis (LCA). You’ve heard the term, but what does it actually mean for packaging — and why should brand owners and manufacturers care? 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: What life cycle analysis really is — and how it goes way beyond just recyclability Why data-driven sustainability decisions matter more than feel-good assumptions How brands can use LCA to avoid costly mistakes and greenwashing Real examples of how companies used LCA to lower environmental impact and cut costs Why measuring five key environmental indicators (not just carbon) leads to better packaging choices 💡 Whether you’re a packaging engineer, procurement lead, or brand owner, this episode will give you practical tools to approach sustainability with confidence — and back it up with data. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes packed with insights for smarter packaging decisions.

    50 min

  8. MAR 11

    Season 2, Episode 7: The Language of Plastics—Why Words Matter

    🗣️ How do words shape the way we think about plastics? In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, the C.A.P. Pack sits down with Dr. Joanna Gavins, a cognitive linguist from the University of Sheffield, to explore how language influences public perception of plastic, recycling, and sustainability. 🎧 Tune in to learn: How a study of 4.5 million words revealed a major disconnect between consumers, brands, and policymakers on plastic discussions.Why companies’ sustainability messaging can unintentionally alienate consumers—and what to do instead.The surprising power of clear, direct language (and why telling people what not to do is sometimes more effective).How overusing eco-friendly buzzwords can actually make consumers less likely to trust a brand’s sustainability claims.Strategies to shift the narrative around plastics from “waste” to “resource.”💡 Whether you're in packaging, marketing, or sustainability, this episode is packed with insights on how language can be a tool for real change. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website, and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest discussions shaping the packaging industry!

    38 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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