Last week was packed with innovation and insights on sustainability, recycling, reuse, ERP, regulatory frameworks, and perspectives on the upcoming Global Plastics Treaty.
SmartSolve’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Ashleigh Hotz, and Marketing Coordinator, Dana Prenger, attended the two-day Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum in Philadelphia. We were thrilled to be one of just three exhibitors, presenting our sustainable materials to a wide audience of sustainability professionals, packaging experts, and representatives from major brands. The experience was a fantastic opportunity to share SmartSolve’s vision and solutions with leaders dedicated to a more sustainable future.
About Innovation Forum
Innovation Forum is an independent, London-based organization with a long-standing commitment to sustainability-focused events and publications. With decades of combined experience, they’ve built a platform for change that aims to make sustainability mainstream within the business world. Innovation Forum achieves this mission through online publishing, stakeholder engagement projects, and impactful business conferences, each addressing key challenges in sustainability.
A Unique Format: No PowerPoint Presentations
What set this event apart was its interactive format. Unlike many traditional conferences, Innovation Forum did away with PowerPoint slides, allowing for a more intimate, “fireside chat” atmosphere where speakers could engage in authentic, off-the-record discussions. This approach fostered honest, candid dialogue, focusing on actionable and practical guidance rather than sales pitches. Innovation Forum is dedicated to meaningful conversation, diving deep into complex issues to offer substantial, practical insights that resonate with attendees.
This event was not a PR platform or a “talking shop”; it was a constructive, solution-driven experience that emphasized transparency and progress. Innovation Forum doesn’t promise quick fixes; instead, it provides a space for real discussions on challenging topics with the goal of delivering practical advice that can spark tangible change.
Agenda & Key Topics
The two-day forum was packed with insightful topics and engaging presentations, each session flowing seamlessly into the next. The agenda included a mix of compelling talks and small-group roundtable discussions, which offered even more opportunities for networking and connection-building. The event brought together experts from diverse markets, including beauty, food, beverage, retail, and household goods, with industry leaders such as Ulta Beauty, Lush, TerraCycle, Chik-Fil-A, and Google. Also, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and several recycling companies also participated, offering insights on policy, technology, and practical solutions.
Interesting Takeaways: Discussion Topics Included…
- Consumer-Driven Sustainability: How brands are adapting their packaging to meet increasing public demand for sustainable options.
- Global Plastics Treaty Implications: Insights on how upcoming policies could shape U.S. packaging strategies and industry compliance.
- Setting and Achieving Packaging Targets: Real-world strategies for brands and retailers in defining ambitious yet attainable sustainability goals.
- Advanced Recycling Technologies: Debates on the viability of chemical recycling in reaching a net-zero waste goal by 2040, with input from major recycling companies.
- Reuse and Refill Models: Success stories and lessons learned from implementing reuse and refill programs in sectors such as retail and fast-moving consumer goods.
Events like this are invaluable for connecting with others who share this vision and for gaining fresh insights that will continue to drive our innovation forward. We’re eager to see how the industry can collaborate to make sustainable packaging the new standard across all sectors. For more details on the event and to explore the future forum opportunities, visit the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum.
Marketing Manager