We hear them everywhere—sustainable, circular, biodegradable, compostable, reusable, green—but what do any of these terms actually mean when it comes to packaging?
In this episode of Crazy About Packaging, we’re joined by Paige Greenberg, Sustainable Packaging Engineer at Plastic Ingenuity, to unpack the sustainability buzzwords we all hear (and use), explain how they're commonly misunderstood, and what manufacturers can do to cut through the confusion.
With Paige’s materials background and fresh perspective in the packaging world, we cover everything from misleading labels to actionable guidance for brand owners.
Sneak Peek for Episode 2
Watch the full episode above or listen now episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Or read on for some key takeaways and myth-busting moments.
Meet Our Guest: Paige Greenberg
Paige is a Sustainable Packaging Engineer at Plastic Ingenuity. With a master’s degree in Environment and Sustainability from the University of Michigan and a background in materials science, she helps brands evaluate their packaging through life cycle assessments, design-for-recyclability evaluations, and sustainability strategy.
We’re thrilled to have the chance to sit down with her and get expert input on what makes packaging truly sustainable and what brands can do to make their language better reflect their initiatives.
Can I Recycle That?
This week’s round of Can I Recycle That? featured portion-sized hummus and peanut butter cups, plus a Fairlife Core Power protein shake bottle. Mike, Jonathan, and Paige all shared their educated guesses based on format, size, barrier materials, and resin type. Paige also raised a critical consideration often overlooked: size. If a container is too small, it may get sorted into the wrong stream at the recycling facility—even if the material itself is technically recyclable.
Want to know which ones passed the test? You’ll have to listen to the episode to find out.
What Does “Sustainability” Actually Mean?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty and start exploring some key terms, starting with the big umbrella: sustainability.
One of the most insightful parts of this episode was how different our definitions of “sustainability” are, even among industry professionals. Mike called it a “value statement,” emphasizing that how we define it reflects what we choose to prioritize as individuals and organizations.
Paige referenced the UN’s definition: “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations” and added her own personal lens. “I just want to leave the earth in a better place than when I came into it.”
We also talked about how, in packaging, sustainability isn’t a single variable. It's about the total environmental impact, material, transportation, end-of-life, recyclability, reuse, and more. If you want a deeper look at that kind of lifecycle thinking, check out our earlier conversation with Medoola’s Neil Shackleton where we explored trade-offs and data-driven decision-making.
Compostable vs. Biodegradable vs. Oxo-Degradable
Here’s where things get messy (literally and figuratively). Paige walked us through the difference between compostable and biodegradable:
- Compostable means a material can break down into non-toxic components under specific environmental conditions, usually in industrial composting facilities.
- Biodegradable just means it will break down eventually, but doesn’t say when, how, or under what conditions.
And oxo-degradable? That one often just means breaking down into microplastics. Not exactly a win.
As Jonathan put it: “There was so much snake oil in the early days. Some of those additives did more harm than good.” If you want more background on the messy world of microplastics, check out our most recent interview with Chris DeArmitt.
Reusable Packaging: Great in Theory, Tricky in Practice
We all love the idea of reusable packaging. But here’s the catch: it only makes a difference if packaging is actually reused. Paige explained that it depends heavily on infrastructure and behavior: “Reusable systems work best in controlled environments. If I have to drive across town to return a takeout container, is that really a win?”
Mike added that even industrial reuse programs often fizzle out after a year or two. Why? They require consistent human management, and that’s harder than it sounds.
Circularity Isn’t Just a Sustainability Buzzword—But It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Circularity was one of the most debated terms in this episode, and for good reason. Paige offered a clear and flexible definition: “Taking the outputs of one system and using them as inputs in another system. It doesn’t have to be a closed-loop to be circular.”
This is a hotly contested term that we’ve experienced more than once in the field. In fact, the C.A.P. Pack recalled an instance in which an industry contact got particularly heated in insisting that we could only use the word “circular” if we were talking about PET tray-to-tray recycling. We disagree. As Natalie put it, “Why are we limiting it? If it’s not going to landfill, isn’t that a win?”
So How Do You Cut Through the Buzz?
We’ve talked a lot in the past about sustainability buzzwords and how they’re used within the industry. We had a great time breaking them down in this month’s episode—but what comes next? How do we take these complex definitions into consideration and make sure we’re effectively paving a more sustainable path to the future?
Paige laid it out clearly: Data, context, and support matter. At Plastic Ingenuity, she works directly with brands through their Sustainable Packaging Assessment program to evaluate recyclability, carbon footprint, and other key factors based on the customer’s specific goals.
Mike and Jonathan emphasized starting with your values, understanding your product’s full lifecycle, and relying on trustworthy sources like The U.S. Plastics Pact Problematic Materials List and the APR Design Guide.
Don’t Take Sustainability Buzzwords at Face Value
Sustainability buzzwords aren’t going away. But if we’re going to use them on packaging, in marketing, or in meetings, we owe it to ourselves and our customers to understand what they actually mean.
If you want to learn more about how Plastic Ingenuity helps brands make smarter, clearer decisions, visit them at plasticingenuity.com, or connect with Paige Greenberg on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Crazy About Packaging! Be sure to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website. Got a packaging buzzword you want us to break down next? Let us know.
