In February 2009, Summit Publishing Company launched  GreenerPackage™ , a Knowledge Exchange for Sustainable Packaging. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to interview Christine Smallwood, director of business development for GreenerPackage, to learn more about this new initiative by the publishers of Packaging World magazine.

What is a Knowledge Exchange?

A Knowledge Exchange is a place where ideas can be shared.

How does GreenerPackage hope to serve as a Knowledge Exchange?

By tapping into the expertise of others. First, we formed an Expert Network, which has served as our Advisory Board since we germinated the idea of GreenerPackage. These individuals, recognized as leaders in sustainable packaging, have been a compass that has kept us true to our original ideals, which are to further sustainable packaging.

Who are the members of your Expert Network?

Representatives from Costco, SC Johnson, Estee Lauder, Unilever, Frito-Lay, Stoneyfield Farm, GlaxoSmithKline, General Mills, ConAgra, Colgate-Palmolive, Kraft, Marks and Spencer, Sears and Walmart; plus members of the consulting and academic communities – a sort of who’s who of sustainable packaging. But more importantly, people who are living and breathing the complex challenges associated with sustainable packaging and who are examining the myriad of ideas, processes, and solutions that are being brought to market everyday to make sustainability part of the traditional business model in the global marketplace.

How was the idea for GreenerPackage born?

My colleague, David Newcorn, Vice President/eMedia for Summit Publishing Company is a former writer and editor of Packaging World magazine. During his professional journey – moving from editorial to eMedia – David picked up and read the book, Cradle to Cradle, and was inspired to write a cover story for Packaging World featuring McDonough and Braungart. This spurred the formation of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. Soon after, David became a thought-leader in eMedia.

It was David’s original idea to create GreenerPackage a few years later, after several successful website launches.

What was your role in the process? (more…)

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The world of sustainability is obviously much larger than just packaging and we work hard to develop relationships with companies able to provide answers for our customers and friends. TerraLocke Sustainability Consultants is a company that focuses of sustainability from an operational and facilities perspective. They are a leader in their field and are well known for their thorough Sustainability Audits. There is much confusion and misinformation on greenhouse gases and the resulting carbon footprint so I asked TerraLocke co-founder and managing director, Peter Locke to bring some clarity to this important area of sustainability.

DS: Why might our readers be interested in conducting a greenhouse gas inventory for their business?

PL: There are a few reasons. One, they want to use the inventory results to help identify potential risk areas within their business. Two, companies want to gain experience conducting inventories so they are prepared for when potential federal legislation requires them to do so. Three, companies might be able to make money trading greenhouse gas (GHG) credits on a GHG trading market such as the Chicago Climate Exchange. Four, management feels it is necessary or advantageous to report their emissions to their shareholders or potential investors. (more…)

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This month represents an anniversary of sorts for me because it was one year ago when I submitted my first, above titled article to Rider Thompson of Sustainable Is Good and he chose to publish it. The article was a tongue in cheek recap of my career in packaging and how it relates to sustainability. Much to my surprise, it was picked up and run by numerous other internet outlets including Reuters and GreenBiz.

It seemed like a good time to share with you some observations and what we have learned about sustainability during the last year. (more…)