This brought together film suppliers, retailers and manufacturers to
develop a sustainable film that
could be used across the industry.
Justin’s is continuing the squeeze
pack collaboration online with
weekly updates at www.justins
nutbutter.com/sustainable
SqueezePackJourney.php.
Responsible Packaging Forums
The Project also works to encourage continuous improvement through
ongoing education. Including the
forum at Expo West, it has produced
10 Responsible Packaging Forums.
The most recent forum focused on
FTC Environmental Marketing Guide-
lines (FTC Green Guides), responsible
packaging principles and cross-indus-
try best practices in innovation and
adoption. The forum hosted presenta-
tions from Tom Wright (Sustainable
Bizness Practices), Melissa Schweisguth
(FTSLA), Tom Newitt (Nature’s Path) and Chad Smith (Earthbound Farm).
Heading Into the Future
An important step for future progress is to define what qualifies as “sustainable
packaging.” To help with this, the Project has released the draft form of its “
Responsible Packaging Guidelines.” Interested stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft guidelines and share input. “We hope these guidelines will provide
a common ‘open source’ framework that will guide action and catalyze innovation,” says Michael Besancon, senior global vice president of purchasing, distribution and marketing at Whole Foods Market.
The next round of awards will occur at Natural Products Expo East in Boston.
A call for nominations will be distributed in the fall of 2011. More information on
the Responsible Packaging Project and the draft guidelines can be found at
www.responsible-packaging.org. o
