{"id":3515020,"date":"2025-07-24T09:43:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T09:43:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/?p=3515020"},"modified":"2025-07-24T09:43:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T09:43:35","slug":"the-packaging-revolution-industrys-responsibility-the-innovations-that-could-mitigate-the-waste-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/stories\/2025-07-24\/the-packaging-revolution-industrys-responsibility-the-innovations-that-could-mitigate-the-waste-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"The Packaging Revolution: Industry\u2019s Responsibility &#038; the Innovations That Could Mitigate the Waste Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none;\" title=\"Embed Player\" src=\"https:\/\/play.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/37506450\/height\/64\/theme\/modern\/size\/small\/thumbnail\/no\/custom-color\/04040c\/time-start\/00:00:00\/hide-playlist\/yes\/hide-subscribe\/yes\/download\/yes\" width=\"100%\" height=\"64\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Description<\/h3>\n<p>Packaging is an unavoidable feature of modern life. It\u2019s so embedded in our products and systems that even the most environmentally-minded consumers struggle to avoid it entirely. Yet packaging accounts for nearly half of all plastic waste, contributing to widespread ecological harm and growing threats to human health \u2013 highlighting the urgent need for an overhaul of packaging materials and industry practices. So how are some industry leaders reimagining materials, systems, and supply chains in ways that align with the realities of our finite planet?<\/p>\n<p>In today\u2019s episode, Nate is joined by Wes Carter, president of Atlantic Packaging, to discuss the pressing need for radical transformation in the packaging industry, and how his company has become a leader in sustainable packaging innovation. He emphasizes the role of industry in addressing the plastic pollution crisis, especially given the outsized role of plastic packaging in damaging human and planetary health. He also shares his personal journey towards environmental stewardship and the significance of personal healing and spiritual growth in driving systemic change.<\/p>\n<p>How can leaders working within these systems drive outsized change \u2013 before ecological limits force change upon us? What could other industries learn from the rapid innovation of packaging systems and technology? Ultimately, does the real transformation go beyond technology and into our expectations and values for what it means to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives beyond a consumer culture built solely on comfort?<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About\u00a0Wes Carter<\/h3>\n<p>Wes Carter is the founder of A New Earth Project and the third generation leader of Atlantic Packaging. Atlantic is the largest privately-held and most technical resource in packaging in North America, supporting major consumer products packaging needs across virtually every manufacturing vertical. Atlantic specializes in optimizing packaging through technology and comprehensive programs to drive sustainable value. Today, as the president of Atlantic Packaging, Wes is the driving force behind the company\u2019s sustainability initiative and its commitment to making real and lasting change. He launched A New Earth Project in January of 2020 to be the inspiration driving this movement into the future.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gpLW19VFT80?si=TpZZNCuBij9OvEFR\" width=\"100%\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Show Notes &amp; Links to Learn More<\/h3>\n<p>\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.admin.ox.ac.uk\/files\/sustainableconsumptionguide.pdf\">Sustainable Consumption Guide<\/a><br \/>\n\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbs.de\/en\/blog\/sustainable-living-tips-for-a-more-sustainable-lifestyle\">Other Sustainable Living Tips<br \/>\n<\/a>\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wm.com\/us\/en\/recycle-right\/recycling-101\">Guide to Curbside Recycling<br \/>\n<\/a>\u2013 Guide to Recycling many different materials:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/earth911.com\/\">Earth911<\/a><\/p>\n<p>00:00 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.circularsolutions.theallianceprize.org\/judges\/wes-carter\">Wes Carter<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/wes-carter-32a7a5b\/\">LinkedIn<\/a>, President of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticpkg.com\/\">Atlantic Packaging<\/a>\u00a0and their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticpkg.com\/sustainability-program\/\">Sustainability Initiatives<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/anewearthproject.com\/\">A New Earth Project<\/a>\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/anewearthproject\/\">Social Media<\/a>)<br \/>\n05:00 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticpkg.com\/history\/\">History of Atlantic Packaging<br \/>\n<\/a>05:45 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/environmental-science\/articles\/10.3389\/fenvs.2023.1142071\/full\">Plastic pollution in Southeast Asia<\/a><br \/>\n08:00 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/communication\/articles\/10.3389\/fcomm.2024.1337332\/full\">Pushing the pollution crisis on the consumer<br \/>\n<\/a>09:20 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iza.org\/publications\/dp\/13923\/the-easterlin-paradox\">Comfort doesn\u2019t always mean happiness\/well-being<br \/>\n<\/a>10:40 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/biomimicry.org\/inspiration\/what-is-biomimicry\/\">Biomimicry<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10046122\/\">Biomimetic Design<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/episode\/135-janine-benyus\">TGS Episode on Biomimicry<br \/>\n<\/a>11:02 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/matpack.net\/en\/blog\/the-ratio-of-packaging-costs-to-total-product-cost-and-its-impacts#:~:text=What%20proportion%20of%20a%20product%27s,of%20a%20product%27s%20total%20cost\">Percentage of product cost that accounts for packaging<br \/>\n<\/a>12:53 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2017\/dec\/26\/180bn-investment-in-plastic-factories-feeds-global-packaging-binge#:~:text=Fossil%20fuel%20companies%20are%20among,to%20bottles%2C%20trays%20and%20cartons\">Hundreds of billions invested in plastics in recent decades<br \/>\n<\/a>13:17 \u2013 Plastics\/Packaging made from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mushroompackaging.com\/\">Hemp + Mycelium<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/swaythefuture.com\/\">Seaweed<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2589004224006394\">Lignin<\/a>\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Raw_material#:~:text=A%20raw%20material,produce%20other%20products.\">Feedstock<\/a>)<br \/>\n14:02 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/epr.sustainablepackaging.org\/\">Extended Producer Responsibility<\/a>\u00a0(EPR),\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/environment-and-natural-resources\/extended-producer-responsibility\">Legislation<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/p2infohouse.org\/ref\/19\/18269.pdf\">Implementation challenges<br \/>\n<\/a>15:46 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pdachain.com\/2023\/05\/24\/understanding-the-distinction-consumer-packaging-vs-industrial-packaging\/\">Industrial vs. Consumer Packaging<br \/>\n<\/a>16:00 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/energytracker.asia\/burning-plastic-a-real-waste-to-energy-solution-or-a-greenwashing-tool\/\">Asia burning plastic<br \/>\n<\/a>16:28 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluecart.com\/blog\/wholesale-packaging\">B to B packaging<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9685062\/\">Ecommerce, packaging, and COVID-19<br \/>\n<\/a>18:30 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/infrastructurereportcard.org\/cat-item\/solid-waste-infrastructure\/\">The U.S.\u2019 solid waste infrastructure<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/circulareconomy\/recycling-infrastructure-and-market-opportunities-map\">Their recycling infrastructure<\/a><br \/>\n19:30 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nafoalliance.org\/issues\/working-forests\/\">Working forests<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fortunebusinessinsights.com\/north-america-pulp-and-paper-market-106617\">paper production in the U.S.<br \/>\n<\/a>20:07 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org\/blog\/2022\/5\/16\/what-really-happens-to-your-plastic-recycling\">Reality of plastic recycling<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling\/plastics-material-specific-data\">\u00a0EPA Plastic Fact Sheet<br \/>\n<\/a>20:48 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticpkg.com\/deep-dive-sorting-recyclables-at-a-modern-mrf\/\">Recycling sorting facilities<br \/>\n<\/a>22:00 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cleanmanagement.com\/blog\/understanding-the-different-types-of-waste-streams\/\">Waste streams<br \/>\n<\/a>22:40 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.afandpa.org\/news\/2023\/us-paper-and-cardboard-recycling-rates-continue-hold-strong-2022\">U.S. Paper Recycling Rate<br \/>\n<\/a>25:40 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aboutamazon.com\/news\/sustainability\/how-amazon-is-reducing-packaging\">Amazon decreasing plastic-based packaging<\/a><br \/>\n29:00 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/plastic-gets-to-oceans-through-over-1000-rivers\">Plastic in waterways<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/environmental-topics\/chemicals-pesticides-and-toxics-topics\">Toxic chemicals in our environment<br \/>\n<\/a>30:00 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticpkg.com\/wellness\/\">Atlantic Packaging Wellness Program<br \/>\n<\/a>33:09 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imf.org\/en\/Publications\/fandd\/issues\/Series\/Back-to-Basics\/Externalities\">Our market doesn\u2019t include externalities in prices<br \/>\n<\/a>33:45 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/human-made-stuff-now-outweighs-all-life-on-earth\/\">Human-made mass outweighs all living biomass<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2020\/dec\/09\/human-made-materials-now-outweigh-earths-entire-biomass-study?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYkUa29NTaJy4snaHtMIDnOxW-ppNzg5VeQiFpU_CR6PzrfvAawjDnSE-E_aem_8-fjn5_uCKHIuriU4gJLAg#:~:text=The%20amount%20of%20plastic%20alone%20is%20greater%20in%20mass%20than%20all%20land%20animals%20and%20marine%20creatures%20combined%2C%20the%20study%20estimates.\">Plastics outweigh all land animals and marine creatures<br \/>\n<\/a>34:50 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bpf.co.uk\/plastipedia\/how-is-plastic-made.aspx\">Plastic is byproduct of crude oil<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org\/blog\/2025\/1\/28\/hidden-costs-plastic-subsidies-drain-public-resources-and-threaten-human-health\">Plastic subsidies<br \/>\n<\/a>35:23 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/newearthventures.vc\/\">New Earth Ventures<br \/>\n<\/a>36:11 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticpkg.com\/cruz-cool-times-best-inventions-of-2023-2\/\">Cruz Cool \u2013 Time\u2019s Best Inventions of 2023<br \/>\n<\/a>38:09 \u2013 Overshoot:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ecological_overshoot\">Ecological<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/frankly-original\/94-social-overshoot\">Social<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/capitalinstitute.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/FINANCIAL-OVERSHOOTread.pdf\">Financial<\/a>, &amp;\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/03\/09\/politics\/pentagon-climate-cuts-national-security\/index.html\">Climate Change is not prioritized by the current U.S. administration<br \/>\n<\/a>39:42 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/maha\/\">Make America Healthy Again (MAHA)<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC12096275\/\">Food Packaging and Chemical Migration<br \/>\n<\/a>40:26 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/about\/leadership\/robert-kennedy.html\">Secretary Robert F. Kennedy<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/kZA_TGRhRtg?si=Z3w7rXnF3TvEYRxH\">Referenced Speech<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/opln.org\/activations\/the-chemicals-of-concern-policy-summit\">Chemicals of Concern Conference<br \/>\n<\/a>41:23 \u2013 Jeremy Grantham\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gmo.com\/americas\/people\/firm-management\/\">info<\/a>\u00a0+\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gmo.com\/americas\/research-library\/?author=f71054d5-e10a-473d-b77f-761acd2e4d1f\">works<\/a>, TGS Episodes\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/episode\/99-jeremy-grantham\">1<\/a>\u00a0+\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/episode\/155-jeremy-grantham\">2<br \/>\n<\/a><b>Episodes on Plastic<\/b>:<br \/>\n\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/episode\/37-martin-scheringer\">Martin Scheringer: \u201cThe Growing Threat from Chemical Pollution\u201d<br \/>\n<\/a>\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/episode\/89-sian-sutherland\">Sian Sutherland: \u201cInnovating the Business of Plastics\u201d<br \/>\n<\/a>\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/episode\/104-jane-muncke\">Jane Muncke: \u201cPerils of Plastic Packaging\u201d<br \/>\n<\/a>\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/episode\/154-jane-muncke\">Jane Muncke \u201cShutting Off The Plastic Tap: A Global Treaty To Regulate Petrochemical Pollution?\u201d<br \/>\n<\/a>\u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/episode\/reality-roundtable-15\">Reality Roundtable 15 \u2013 The Plastic Crisis: A Health and Environmental Emergency<br \/>\n<\/a>41:40 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.niehs.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/agents\/endocrine#:~:text=Endocrine%20disruptors%20are%20natural%20or,What%20is%20NIEHS%20Doing%3F\">Endocrine disrupting chemicals<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11342020\/\">Microplastics in the body<br \/>\n<\/a>43:15 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rainforest-alliance.org\/insights\/what-is-sustainable-forestry\/\">Sustainable Forests<br \/>\n<\/a>44:42 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0141813018329866\">Starch-based food packaging trays<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.intertek.com\/polymers-plastics\/barrier-properties\/\">Barrier properties of plastic film<br \/>\n<\/a>46:20 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wslstrategicretail.com\/blog\/pushing-purchasing-power-by-generation\/\">18-34 year olds have highest buying power<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nrf.com\/blog\/consumers-care-about-sustainability-will-they-pay-more#:~:text=Recent%20surveys%2C%20including,more%20sustainable%20packaging.\">highly value sustainability<br \/>\n<\/a>48:43 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/article\/news-plastic-six-pack-rings-alternatives-history\">6-ring plastic ocean effects<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticpkg.com\/fishbone\/#:~:text=Fishbone%20is%20the%20beverage%20carrier,than%20the%20competing%20carrier%20options.\">Fishbone-based alternative<br \/>\n<\/a>52:39 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottlebill.org\/\">Bottle Bills<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottlebill.org\/index.php\/coalition-building\">Campaigning for Bottle Bill in your state<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/resource-recycling.com\/recycling\/2024\/01\/02\/report-bottle-bill-states-recycle-more-provide-models\/\">Recycling rates of those states<br \/>\n<\/a>53:30 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2313-4321\/9\/5\/82\">Europe\u2019s Success in Waste Management<br \/>\n<\/a>57:40 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/charleseisenstein.org\/\">Charles Eisenstein<br \/>\n<\/a>58:28 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0921800919310067\">Economic Superorganism<br \/>\n<\/a>58:48 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/ask\/answers\/difference-between-publicly-and-privately-held-companies\/\">Privately vs. Publicly Company<br \/>\n<\/a>1:05:35 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/recyclingpartnership.org\/circle-act\/\">The CIRCLE Act<br \/>\n<\/a>1:07:30 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/s_27lJ3NQO4?si=EtZqM3ZY2QNEOA0Y\">Industrial Composting<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.compostnow.org\/\">CompostNow<br \/>\n<\/a>1:12:10 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Religious_and_philosophical_views_of_Albert_Einstein\">Religious and philosophical views of Albert Einstein<br \/>\n<\/a>1:16:05 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/neuroscience\/iboga\">Iboga bark<br \/>\n<\/a>1:19:09 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Redemption_Song#:~:text=The%20song%20urges,history.%5B12\"><i>Redemption Song<\/i><\/a>\u00a0by Bob Marley<br \/>\n1:19:40 \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lionsroar.com\/buddhism\/dharma\/\">Dharma<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/civilizationemerging.com\/dharma-inquiry-2\/\">Dharma Inquiry<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"dl_transcript\" class=\"cta_btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatsimplification.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/TGS-186-Wes-Carter-Transcript.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download transcript<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In today\u2019s episode, Nate is joined by Wes Carter, president of Atlantic Packaging, to discuss the pressing need for radical transformation in the packaging industry, and how his company has become a leader in sustainable packaging innovation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":128238,"featured_media":3515047,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79718,213530],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3515020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment","category-environment-featured"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3515020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/128238"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3515020"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3515020\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3515048,"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3515020\/revisions\/3515048"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3515047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3515020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3515020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.resilience.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3515020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}