In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News talks to Cory Connors, the host of the Sustainable Packaging podcast in the USA, about his insights on developments in sustainable packaging.

We start our discussion with a background of how Cory launched his podcasting and social media content channels during lockdown to engage and communicate with people to share the latest stories related to implementing sustainable packaging. We get an insight into the role that social media plays in accessing news, learning, and communicating, as well as some of the key discussions that have been hosted on his podcast. Discussing innovation and trends, we look at the return of traditional systems, like milk bottle delivery and collection, and the rise of new technologies balancing sustainability demands with functional integrity. Cory shares his perspective on current developments in recycling technologies, the variable rates of success on reuse systems, and assessing the similarities between the US and Australia with how packaging regulations are implemented.

We wrap up our discussion with an evaluation of the gaps in US recycling, how we can tackle deceptive green washing tactics, and a prediction for the future of sustainable packaging.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

Sustainable Packaging Podcast

www.youtube.com/@SustainablePackagingPodcast

LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors

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The PKN Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of PKN Packaging News, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of PKN Packaging News, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer. The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact PKN Packaging News via their website www.packagingnews.com.au or send an email to editor@packagingnews.com.au.

MC: Grant McHerron

Host: Lindy Hughson

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

PKN Packaging News - © 2025

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News talks to Tom and Kath Long, the founders of TomKat KoolPak, about the inspiration and development of their innovative KoolPak product.

We start our discussion with a look at TomKat’s beginnings in the fishing business and devotion to sustainable practices. We explore how their business moved from using expanded polystyrene (EPS) to transport their seafood products to developing a an EPS-free solution, the KoolPak. It comprises a polypropylene (PP) outer case and lid with a polyethylene cool pack liner to improve its thermal capacity and incorporate a reuse system with an app to review the product life cycle, GPS tracking, and live temperature information. Tom and Kath explain the reasons behind their relocation to Thailand to set up manufacturing operations, and their plans for further expansion in production and into possible new markets such as medicine and home delivery.

Tom and Kath evaluate the phasing out of EPS in the coming years for insulated packaging and the benefits that a re-use system has both economically and sustainably.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

TomKat KoolPak:

www.koolpakbox.com

TomKat to move KoolPak operations to Thailand

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/tomkat-to-move-koolpak-operations-to-thailand

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The PKN Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of PKN Packaging News, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of PKN Packaging News, Yaffa Media, or the guest’s employer. The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media.

If you wish to use any of this podcast’s audio, please contact PKN Packaging News via their website www.packagingnews.com.au or send an email to editor@packagingnews.com.au.

MC: Grant McHerron

Host: Lindy Hughson

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

PKN Packaging News - © 2025

In this episode, Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor & Publisher of PKN Packaging News, is joined by Wayne Robinson, Associate Editor of PKN and Editor of Print21, to discuss Lindy's recent globetrotting to attend a number of events at home and abroad, bringing you updates from the dynamic global packaging industry.

We begin by celebrating our 100th episode of PKN and we review the trends from the APCO awards which were hosted by Lindy and Wayne. The discussion also explores Lindy’s packaging expeditions with highlights from Tokyo Pack with the major theme being sustainability, PackExpo International in Chicago, which had a lot of machinery and material innovations on show, and key ideas emerging from the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Amsterdam which also hosted the Sustainable Packaging Awards and, separately, the Smart Packaging Congress.

We wrap up with Lindy’s real-world comparison between international packaging trends and the products we see on our shelves in Australia.

Links:

Sponsor - Trimatt

www.trimatt.com - 03 8761 6171 - info@trimatt.com

APCO Awards:

APCO awards celebrate circular packaging leadership

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/apco-awards-celebrate-circular-packaging-leadership

Detmold wins APCO Packaging Manufacturer award

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/detmold-wins-apco-packaging-manufacturer-award

Packamama wins recycled content award

www.packagingnews.com.au/sustainability/packamama-wins-recycled-content-award

Tokyo Pack:

Tokyo Pack opens doors on packaging innovation

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/tokyo-pack-opens-doors-on-packaging-innovation

Paper-based battery bag wins Diamond award

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/paper-based-battery-bag-wins-diamond-award

Pack Expo:

Strong Pack Expo line-up to draw global crowds

www.packagingnews.com.au/pack-expo/strong-pack-expo-line-up-to-draw-global-crowds

PKN's Pack Expo International highlights and insights

www.packagingnews.com.au/latest/pkn-s-pack-expo-international-highlights-and-insights

Pack Expo votes for top tech innovation

www.packagingnews.com.au/pack-expo/pack-expo-votes-for-top-tech-innovation

APPMA represents Australia at Pack Expo 2024

www.packagingnews.com.au/machinery/appma-news/appma-represents-australia-at-pack-expo-2024

Sustainable Packaging Summit:

Reuse: 'The time is...