I am very happy to announce I am now blogging for Packaging Digest, one of the media leaders covering the packaging industry. Writing for them is a terrific opportunity to reach a different, substantially larger audience and I invite and encourage you to check out their excellent online and print publications.

The Increasingly Crowded Green Blogosphere

The world of eco focused internet blogging has become very crowded as more people and companies are writing about packaging OR about sustainability. Green is an increasingly popular topic because readers are eager to better understand sustainability. Packaging will always be a green focal point for consumers so the growth in interest is to be expected.

In our work as well as in our writing, we strive to be a place where people with an interest in sustainability AND in packaging can learn more about the people and products impacting both.

That is our overall objective on Inside Sustainable Packaging and will be our goal for Common Sense and Sustainability, our new featured blog on Packaging Digest. (more…)

It is hard to believe but it was one year ago today that we launched our blog at the urging and advice of our marketing guru, Brad Shorr.  I admit initially being somewhat reluctant, or as others recall, “dead set against it” because I was concerned we would not have enough interesting topics to write about, or be able to maintain an audience. Boy was I wrong.

In the last 12 months Brad and I have posted over 100 articles, conducted 7 interviews, launched 11 new green packaging products and irritated at least 23 people in the packaging industry and probably twice that many in the green community. We have freely shared our opinions and perspectives, even when they are not the popular thought and we have enjoyed it tremendously.

Quick Recognition from within the Packaging Industry

Last August after publishing ISP for just a few short months, we were surprised when David Bellm of Packaging Digest, a packaging industry leading publication, talked about Inside Sustainable Packaging on his blog.

It was high praise from THE premier packaging blog and it told us we are on the right track. Our initial objective was to deliver worthwhile, valuable content to our readers while informing them on the new products and activities within our company. Keeping that balance was the key and we must walk that fine line well because Packaging Digest has invited me to join their team of packaging bloggers.

Is Inside Sustainable Packaging Self Promoting? (more…)

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…)

Over the years I have been fortunate to meet many interesting people in packaging and sustainability but few are as unique as Rich Cohen and his company, Distant Village Packaging. Rich’s passion and commitment are infectious and we had no trouble convincing Rich to share his extraordinary story with our readers.

DS: Rich, for the benefit of our readers can you give us a brief overview of what Distant Village Packaging does.

RC: We create Handmade Packaging using sustainable and exotic materials such as tree-free papers, cacao leaves, and coconut buttons. However, by far, the most critical success factor in our work is close creative design collaboration with brand owners to produce packaging designs that reinforce the exact brand experience they desire.

DS: Please give us an idea of some of your most popular products and the industries or markets you serve.

RC: Distant Village packaging is extremely sustainable and highly attractive, ideal for gift giving. For example, bath and body gift sets, jewelry boxes, fine artisan chocolates, organic baby clothes, and most every industry which desires an impressive handmade packaging experience. (more…)

Image via Wikipedia

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…)