Taking Responsibility for End of Life
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Was anything good brought about by the pandemic?
According to Dana Mosora, Workstream Consultant for CEFLEX, one positive was the renewed focus on safety, especially as it pertains to packaging. CEFLEX is a collaboration of more than 160 companies, associations and organizations representing the entire flexible packaging value chain across Europe.
Mosora was a guest on Paper360 Magazine’s Better Together: Conversations with Innovative Leaders March podcast. Interviewed by Editorial Director Jan Bottiglieri, Mosora, who is also keynoting TAPPI’s International Flexible Packaging and Extrusion Division Conference on March 17, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EST), is considered a global expert on the circular economy for flexible packaging. “Packaging,” she said, “has been under appreciated for the role it plays in business, commerce and our lifestyle. It is absolutely essential.” However, Mosora continued, flexible packaging has a responsibility to consider the product’s end of life by using renewable materials without depleting natural resources.
In addition, she said, consumers play a huge role in the need to increase recyclability in flexible packaging. “We all have to recognize that young consumers are telling us that we can’t stop this move into the circular economy and that design must begin with end of life in mind.” The packaging, she continued, has to be easy to recycle, and the consumer has to be comfortable in knowing what to do with it. “We have to give people the option to manage it, and to show them how we are addressing the big problems, and then share concrete and demonstrated solutions. The time has come for us to show the solutions.”
Throughout the interview, Mosora offered insights on sustainability, the circular economy and end of life solutions. She also shared highlights of her upcoming keynote address on March 17 where she will discuss, among other things, what’s ahead for flexible packaging. “One of our challenges is to protect our industry, and to make sure it grows,” she said, “but we also need to work with other regions to help grow responsible waste management. It’s both an opportunity and a responsibility.” Registrants are offered a money-back guarantee if they don’t agree the Conference content was worth the $129 non-TAPPI member rate, provided they register before 11:59 p.m., Friday, March 12. There is no charge for brand owners, converters or students, and TAPPI members pay only $99. To learn more, visit the event website.
For more information about the podcast, or to inquire about being a guest on the show, please contact Jan Bottiglieri at podcast@tappi.org. To sign up to receive the podcasts once they are posted, visit tappi.org/podcast, or any of the popular podcast hosts, including Apple, Spotify, Google and Amazon Alexa and enter Better Together: Conversations with Innovative Leaders.
