This live Q&A, part of our Packaging for a Sustainable Tomorrow series and developed with our Sustainable Packaging Technical Committee, takes a practical look at the decisions packaging teams are making now around sustainability, recyclability, cost, and compliance.

Moderator Tim Backe and speaker Cory Connors will discuss how companies are defining sustainability goals, evaluating packaging choices, preparing for EPR requirements, and balancing business realities with environmental objectives.

The premier session follows an interactive, podcast-style format with audience questions encouraged throughout the conversation.

What you will learn

• Why sustainable packaging requires a different mindset
• What makes a packaging decision cost-effective or costly
• Key considerations when evaluating recyclability
• How teams handle conflicts between sustainability goals and cost targets
• Early steps companies are taking to prepare for EPR requirements

Register today!

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Meet the moderator

Tim Backe
Senior Packaging Engineer, Reynolds Consumer Products
IoPP Sustainable Packaging Technical Committee Member

Tim brings experience across consumer packaged goods, food, personal care, medical device, and pharmaceutical packaging. At Reynolds Consumer Products, his work focuses on EPR strategy, packaging sustainability, recyclability, lifecycle assessment, and balancing environmental goals with business and cost realities. Tim holds three design patents and has presented at the American Packaging Summit. Within IoPP, he serves on the Sustainable Packaging Technical Committee and as Treasurer of the Chicago Chapter, after previously serving as Chapter President. He is also pursuing his Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation and exploring how AI can support packaging engineering and regulatory management.

Meet the speaker

Cory Connors
Sustainable Packaging Sales & Marketing, Atlantic Packaging
Host of the Sustainable Packaging Podcast

Cory works with companies to improve packaging sustainability through recyclable and reusable materials, higher post-consumer recycled content, and smarter package design decisions. His focus is on helping teams make practical sustainability improvements that also support business goals. Cory hosts the Sustainable Packaging Podcast and serves on the 2026 IoPP Board of Directors.

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