Packaging Speaks Green 2022: sustainable packaging for a global goal

From 3 to 6 May 2022 at Fiera Milano Rho, the new edition of Packaging Speaks Green, the international forum of the packaging supply chain, will take place. The Forum will take place in conjunction with two major fairs: Ipack-Ima, dedicated to processing and packaging technologies and GreenPlast, focused on the plastics and rubber industry.

Over 60 speakers represented by national and international authoritative exponents of the government, associations, business and academic world are expected. Among them, during the first day, Nerida Kelton of World Packaging Organization (WPO) will take the floor, and during the section called Regulatory Frameworks will illustrate her presentation entitled: “What the world of packaging looks like”. Nerida Kelton is director of the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the peak professional body for packaging education and training in Australasia, which helps to shape the careers of generations of packaging professionals, and a member of the World Packaging Organization (WPO), a non-profit organization, international federation of national packaging institutes and associations, regional packaging federations and trade associations which brings together national federations, associations and institutes operating in the packaging industry. Founded in Tokyo in 1968, the goal of this organization is to encourage the development of packaging technology, science, access and engineering; contribute to the development of international trade; and stimulate education and training in packaging.

The presentation by Nerida Kelton will deal with some topics regarding sustainability. As natural resources are rapidly diminishing, pollution and GHG emissions worsen, oceans and waterways are filling up with packaging waste and integral ecosystems are becoming irreparably damaged, the world has been put on notice that the time for talk is over.

The time has come to rethink the way packaging is designed. This is an exciting time to take bold moves and rethink every aspect of how packaging is designed, used and ultimately provide long-lasting environmental value. The change is being driven by consumers who want to see circular packaging that has designed out waste, is reusable, incorporates recycled content, is truly recyclable and all unnecessary packaging and problematic materials are eliminated. The WPO has identified key trends within the space of Sustainable Packaging globally and whilst the common thread across all countries is a shift towards a more circular economy and the move to design out waste and pollution, every region and country naturally differs in approach. This presentation will discuss global trends.