Workshop Packaging and environment across the Atlantic

Why this workshop?

Packaging is the activity of temporarily integrating an external function and a product to enable the use of the product. Packaging has been with mankind already since ancient times in some moderate form, but the 20th century has brought a dramatic acceleration. The world 'does it' at least 300,000 times per second - creating a huge environmental issue.

NVC and PTIS have joined forces in creating this unique interactive workshop, as we think that problems caused by mankind should – and also will! – solved by us as well. The workshop will provide an overview of the issues to be addressed and will provide participants with a platform to exchange their insights at the highest level and with the greatest intensity. Specifically the PUMA project will be referenced. This aims to make an end to packaging as an environmental issue worldwide by the year 2026.

For whom?

The Workshop addresses the needs of those responsible for (or involved in) the development of packaging with sustainability in mind. These included packaging designers, developers of new packaging materials and professionals in the packaging recycling industry. Those who carry responsibility for packaging procurement and packaging print will also benefit from participation.

Programme

 

8.30AM Entry and registration
 
9:00AM INTRO * Welcome and introduction by the workshopleaders
Michael Richmond, PhD, Principal PTIS LLC
Michael Nieuwesteeg MSc MEng, Managing Director of the NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre
 
9:15AM MUST-SEE FILM * Limits to Growth in 1972
Limits to Growth Explained. This amazing must-see 35 mins film produced in the year 1972, addresses the Meadows Report (by Donella H. Meadows, Dennis l. Meadows, Jorgen Randers and William W. Behrens III) to the Club of Rome. The film was produced and distributed to 96 countries by The Junior Chamber International Rotterdam.
 
9:55AM THE FUTURE OF (FLEXIBLE PLASTIC) PACKAGING AND ENVIRONMENT * Recycling to the rescue?
Michael Richmond et.al. based on the PTIS-report The Future of Packaging (2018) and the PTIS Surveys in this field
 
10:25AM Coffee break
 
11:00AM A FAMILY BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE * Sustainability in plastic caps and closures
Alex Hoffer, Vice President of Business Development at Hoffer Plastics Corporation
 
11:30AM THE PUMA PROJECT * Working together to end packaging as an environmental issue worldwide
Michael Nieuwesteeg on the 3rd Annual PUMA Project meeting that took place 27 March 2019 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands
 
12:00PM 4 KEY-ISSUES ADDRESSED * Preparatory introduction for the workshop sessions
 
12:10PM Lunch break and workshop sessions
A.  A closer look at the “well-known” optimisation curve of packaging versus environment
B.  Redefining (replacing?) the concept of “Virginity” in the materials dictionary
C. The future of Front-end, Collect & Control and Back-end in hydrocarbon-based packaging
D. The future of Front-end, Collect & Control and Back-end in metal-based packaging
 
1:30PM Plenary presentations from the four key-issue tables and concluding remarks by the workshop co-chairs
 
2:30PM Concluding drinks and END OF WORKSHOP

 

Date and location

The Workshop will take place on Thursday 11 July 2019 from 8.30AM  – 3.30PM DT at the Marriott Warf Hotel in Boston,  Ma. (USA)