Big Impact, Little Footprint: Packaging Industry Sustainability Careers

Big Impact, Little Footprint: Packaging Industry Sustainability Careers

Rebekah Johnston – Market Segment Manager, Sustainability ITW Hi-Cone

Sustainable packaging is complex and must consider many things. Product protection and safety, damage prevention, food waste, accessibility and recovery are just some of the ways the packaging industry has to balance packaging design with larger environmental and social issues. In this new monthly series, AMERIPEN explores how sustainability is being adopted and integrated across the packaging industry.

Can you describe your role and how you feel it links to issues around sustainable packaging?
Market Segment Manager for Sustainability – My role is split between managing the global policies that impact our company and products and building relationships with key outside stakeholders aimed at improving sustainability for the packaging industry. As a supplier of sustainable multipack packaging, we are committed to providing our customers with packaging that has the lowest environmental impact across the lifecycle of the product and to educating consumers and policy makers on effective sustainability practices in the packaging industry.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I work as a liaison between sales, engineering, marketing, and government affairs to ensure each of the teams are updated on policies that impact our current and future products. Therefore, my day often consists of bringing the sustainability perspective to team meetings, representing Hi-Cone in our various trade association and NGO partnerships, and keeping up to date on policies and global events. When a new policy is introduced, I work with the teams to develop a strategy on how to respond and move forward.

Can you share with a little about your career trajectory and what led you towards this role and an interest in sustainability?
I studied Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Science, combining engineering with my passion for sustainability. When I first started my career, I worked in engineering and manufacturing roles in the automotive and appliance component industries. Through these roles, I built up a broad engineering skill set and an expertise in operations management. After five years, I was then given the opportunity to join a growing sustainability team, reconnecting with my passion for sustainability, and challenging me to learn new skills in marketing and policy.

What skills do you think are most important for a role in sustainable packaging issues?
Critical thinking and collaboration are the most important skills needed in the sustainable packaging industry. To achieve true sustainability for packaging, we need collaboration across the value chain, from brand owners to producers to recyclers and more. The most sustainable solution is often not isolated to the influence of one product or one company and requires thinking outside of our current framework and collaborating with various teams to create the best solution.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing packaging sustainability right now?
The biggest challenge for packaging sustainability is the belief that the sustainability of the package is more important than the sustainability of the product. Packaging should not be viewed isolated from the product it’s meant to protect and transport. When we isolate the sustainability of the package from the sustainability of the product and the supply chain, we can do more harm to the environment by increasing the impact of the product or from transportation.

If you had one piece of advice for young professionals interested in sustainability, why should they consider the packaging industry? Your specific role?
When narrowly defined to one material, one process, or one step in the value chain, actions focused on sustainability often have unintended negative consequences. We need sustainability professionals working with every type of material, in a variety of processes and across each step in the value chain to ensure we achieve holistic and long-term sustainable solutions. The packaging industry intersects the value chain in many different places, offering a unique way to positively impact sustainability. Additionally, there are endless opportunities for innovation as the industry is challenged to optimize safety, quality, sustainability, cost, policy, and many more factors for each unique product.