One of packaging’s leading trade shows introduces for 2008 several new programs aimed at highlighting sustainability. Included in these efforts are a number of expert speakers on sustainability, and special symbols to call attention to “green” packaging firms.

"We're very pleased to offer Pack Expo International attendees opportunities to discover how they can improve their operations to achieve sustainability goals," says Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of Pack Expo’s host organization, the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI). "PMMI is committed to adding value to its events by focusing on issues that are at the forefront of our industry. Sustainability is top of mind with packaging professionals around the globe, and we felt it was essential to make the topic an integral part of Pack Expo International 2008."

To help show attendees easily identify exhibitors highlighting sustainable solutions, PMMI is introducing Pack Expo Green, a program that identifies companies that have made significant sustainability efforts. To highlight these green organizations, special icons will be used to flag listings on www.packexpo.com, and in the compact directory available at the show.

The sustainability theme will also carry over to the conference at Pack Expo. A sustainability track will be featured as part of each day's program schedule, exposing attendees to various dimensions of sustainability, including conservation, lightweighting, plant operations and insight from brand owners’ perspective.

Each of the conference's keynote sessions will address sustainability beginning with a special address by Amy Zettlemoyer-Lazar, Packaging Director of Sam's Club and Co-Manager of the Wal-Mart Sustainability Value Network. This will be followed by a number of keynote presentations on sustainability topics:

Sunday, Nov. 9, 1:00 pm
In a standalone session, "Keeping Score: How Wal-Mart and its Suppliers Continue to Advance Packaging Change, Innovation and Sustainability," Zettlemoyer-Lazar will provide an update on the progress of the Wal-Mart sustainability scorecard and the next steps in its evolution. Additionally, Wal-Mart will staff a Wal-Mart Sustainability Scorecard Information Center throughout the show.

Monday, November 10, 10:10 am
Betsy Cohen, vice president of sustainability at Nestle, will present "More Safety vs. Less Material? Where Does Packaging Go?" addressing the challenges, conflicts and competing values that packaging professionals must balance every day.

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 10:10 am
Trevor Cusworth, director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, will deliver Tuesday's keynote speech. His presentation, "Sustainability in Manufacturing: From Boardroom to Break Room" will use real-life case studies to highlight and demonstrate sustainable operations practices and will identify immediate actions that can improve the sustainability of manufacturing operations as well as longer-term actions such as designing and installing new lines and equipment.

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 10:10 am
Glenn A. Wright, commercial vice president, North American Basic Plastics at The Dow Chemical Company, will lead the conference's final keynote session. Wright's speech, "Packaging is Part of the Solution, Not the Problem," will explore the positive environmental, social and economic impacts of packaging and highlight real benefits that often go unnoticed. Consumer and industry data featured in this session will prove how packaging contributes to sustainability and that, when accompanied by education and industry collaboration, will not only benefit the environment, but strengthen brand promise as well.


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