The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.

Shownotes

Nathan McKee is a Sustainability Analyst at Trayak, a mission-driven company helping brands create more sustainable packaging, explores the critical role of packaging innovation in fighting climate change He talks about lifecycle assessments (LCAs), circularity metrics, and the complexities of balancing environmental impact with business needs. He explains how they use software solutions and consulting services to help companies achieve their sustainability goals and meet regulatory requirements, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees. He explains what EPR fees are and why they are becoming increasingly important in holding producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products. He shares his background in environmental studies and how his passion for climate change, sparked by Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," led him to Trayak.

Nathan explains what an LCA is, describing how it analyzes the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation and end-of-life disposal. He shares examples of how companies are using LCAs to make changes to their packaging like right-weighting, incorporating recycled content, and switching from plastic to paper, and discusses how reusable packaging, despite the challenges it presents in terms of increased material usage and transportation, is a critical strategy for building a circular economy. He also discusses the importance of storytelling in effectively communicating complex sustainability information.

Episode in a glance

- Sustainability Analyst at Trayak
- Understanding Trayak's Role in Sustainable Packaging
- What is Lifecycle Assessment
- Innovations in Sustainable Packaging
- Real-World Applications of Sustainable Packaging

About Nathan McKee

Nathan McKee is a sustainability analyst at Trayak, dedicated to helping companies design and manufacture more sustainable packaging. With a background in environmental studies and experience in the manufacturing industry, Nathan brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in creating a circular economy.

Connect with Nathan McKee and his work

Trayak Website → https://trayak.com/

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