On Demand: Natural Food Merchandiser’s Sustainable Packaging for Retailers

Recycled or recyclable. Compostable. Reusable. Headed for a landfill.

We call the products swaddled in metal, glass, plastic and more consumer packaged goods for a sensible reason: Packaging represents a big part of the product. And for years, few paid much attention to the packaging part of the equation, as opposed to the drinks, snacks, frozen entrees and more inside. But that has changed—dramatically.

Retailers today confront an immense diversity of brands touting different packaging innovations or solutions, as well as brands that don’t pay much attention to packaging. Watch this in-depth webinar to learn from industry experts about the ins and outs of sustainable packaging, and why it is so important for consumers, retailers and the planet.

Watch this webinar on demand.

Speakers

Darcy Shiber-Knowles, Director of Operational Sustainability and Innovation
Dr. Bronner’s

Darcy Shiber-Knowles (she/her) is the director of operational sustainability and innovation at Dr. Bronner’s, the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America, famous for its tingly peppermint soap, radical labels, corporate activism and leadership on regenerative organic agriculture. In her role at Dr. Bronner's, Darcy oversees global sustainability, quality, innovation and compliance with global regulations as well as Dr. Bronner’s many independent third-party certifications, including USDA Organic, Regenerative Organic, Fair Trade, Vegan, B Corp and more. Since 2013, Darcy has led Dr. Bronner’s sustainability efforts, such as achieving 100% renewable power and moving toward climate positivity, addressing and reducing single-use plastic use, pursuing zero waste manufacturing, creating the first-ever Fair Trade Internship Program, increasing environmental policy advocacy engagement and co-chairing the steering committee for the B Corp Climate Collective, a group of Best for the Environment Certified B Corps collaborating to advance climate justice through business practices and policy advocacy. She is a founding board member of Naturally San Diego and co-leads the Policy Working Group that emerged from the OSC/RCD Redefining Flexible Films year-long innovation workshop. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Barnard College at Columbia University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. She lives in Oceanside, California, with her family, where she is a passionate home cook, accomplished musician and practicing yogi.

Related:NFM’s Retail Education Series returns May 9

Jake Hebert, Global Market Manager
Earthfirst

Jake Hebert is the global market manager with Earthfirst, a leading manufacturer of bio-based and compostable films for flexible packaging. Having previously held various sales, marketing and business development roles with Futamura and Innovia Films, he brings more than a decade of experience in the bioplastics manufacturing industry.  Prior to his current role, he led initiatives as the director of the OSC Packaging Collaborative, a California-based nonprofit focused on reducing plastic waste through innovation and commercialization of sustainable packaging systems for natural products, policy and advocacy work, and brand and consumer education. Driven by his passions for design and sustainability, Jake has collaborated with numerous brands in their transition from conventional flexible packaging materials to sustainable alternatives, with a focus on maximizing renewable raw material content and ensuring a circular usage life cycle. Jake holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. He previously served on the board of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and the OSC Packaging Advisory Board, and has been active in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition's Compostable Packaging Collaborative and the Food Market Institute's brand mentor program.

Reyna Bryan, President
RCD Packaging Innovation

Reyna Bryan is the president of RCD Packaging Innovation, an innovation firm that works with select brands and manufacturers to bring forward new sustainable packaging solutions. RCD specializes in product development, supply chain management and facilitating collaborative innovation. RCD is on a mission to make sustainable packaging the norm. 

Moderator

Douglas Brown, Sr. Retail Reporter and Analyst
New Hope Network

Douglas Brown worked as a full-time journalist for daily newspapers and magazines for more than 20 years, including six years covering the White House and Capitol Hill and a decade writing about food and agriculture for The Denver Post. He now serves as New Hope Network's senior retail reporter, covering a broad range of industry sectors.