As a child, I remember my family always being cautious about recycling. The cardboard box from a cereal, the plastic bottle from a drink—these items would find their way into the right bins without much thought. Over the years, as I grew more aware of environmental issues, I began to appreciate that this was not just an act of being tidy, but a small yet powerful contribution to a much larger movement. But the truth is, recycling is not as simple as tossing something into a bin. The journey from waste to reuse involves complex systems, innovation, and collaboration across industries. This became even clearer to me when I started learning about packaging—how materials are designed, used, and ultimately recycled. I realized that while it might seem like recycling is just a part of the process, it’s actually one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

That’s why I was excited when I first heard about the Packaging Recycling Summit 2025. As a professional in the sustainability space, this event stood out to me as an essential gathering of leaders who are pushing the boundaries of innovation in packaging and recycling. Taking place from June 25 to June 27, 2025, in Irving, Texas, the summit promises to bring together the brightest minds from the packaging industry, material suppliers, recyclers, brand owners, and more.

“Today, EverestLabs is fixing the problem of 40% of recyclables ending up in landfills through AI and automation.” — JD Ambati

The Packaging Recycling Summit 2025: What to Expect

The Packaging Recycling Summit 2025 isn’t just another conference. It’s a key event where professionals from all aspects of packaging come together to share ideas, discuss solutions, and collaborate to create a more sustainable future. The summit’s agenda is filled with insightful sessions, panel discussions, and workshops designed to explore the latest advancements in packaging design, recycling technologies, and regulatory frameworks. The event will cover several crucial topics, including: Circular Packaging Design, Recycling Technologies and Innovation, Policy and Regulatory Developments.

However, what sets the summit apart from others in the field is the lineup of speakers and participants who will be sharing their insights.

Shira Abel – CEO, Hunter & Bard

Shira Abel is a global authority on strategic growth and brand perception, with over 25 years of experience guiding some of the world’s most respected companies—including Siemens, Samsung, AXA, and Allianz—through complex market challenges. As the CEO of Hunter & Bard, she blends deep behavioural insights with cutting-edge brand strategy to help organizations build meaningful customer connections and unlock lasting competitive advantage. Her proprietary methodology, The Perception Formula, has reshaped how teams from startups to Fortune 500s think about trust, positioning, and market influence. With a rare ability to turn complex psychology into actionable business tools, Shira is a sought-after advisor for companies ready to evolve and scale with purpose.

In her role as a lecturer at UC Berkeley and a speaker on international stages, Shira is known for delivering transformative insights with clarity, humour, and precision. Her upcoming session, Rewiring Consumer Behaviour: The Psychology Behind Successful Recycling Programs, promises to offer a dynamic look at how mental shortcuts, social proof, and perception shape public engagement with sustainability initiatives. With a passion for demystifying human behaviour and a track record of helping brands thrive in uncertain landscapes, Shira equips leaders with the mindset and messaging strategies needed to shift behaviour at scale. Whether guiding C-suite executives or grassroots teams, Shira Abel brings a refreshing and empowering voice to today’s most pressing conversations in business and beyond.

Check out her LinkedIn for more information.

JD Ambati – Founder & CEO, EverestLabs

JD Ambati is a visionary entrepreneur and AI expert whose career spans over two decades of transformative leadership in technology, product development, and strategic growth. As the Founder and CEO of EverestLabs, JD is pioneering the future of recycling automation by bringing advanced AI and robotics into material recovery facilities (MRFs) to dramatically increase efficiency and circularity. His unique background—combining a Master’s in Computer Science (with a focus on Artificial Intelligence) and a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering—positions him at the cutting edge of innovation where environmental sustainability meets enterprise technology. JD has repeatedly proven his ability to take companies from concept to scale, generating millions in revenue while forging global partnerships across B2B sectors.

“For the first time, I’m very excited about what’s going on with reusable packaging.” — Cory Connors

At the upcoming session Driving Circularity: How Industry Partnerships Are Increasing Material Recovery in MRFs, JD will offer rare insights into how collaboration between tech providers, waste managers, and manufacturers is unlocking unprecedented recovery rates and economic value. His expertise in building high-impact revenue streams and navigating the complex world of enterprise partnerships gives him a powerful lens into what it takes to move circularity from buzzword to bottom line. JD’s approach is both pragmatic and visionary—grounded in data but always looking ahead to scalable, real-world applications. For anyone interested in the intersection of AI, sustainability, and systems-level innovation, JD Ambati’s perspective is not only timely but essential.

Check out his LinkedIn for more information.

Cory Connors – Host, The Sustainable Packaging Podcast

With over 25 years in the packaging industry, Cory Connors has become a trusted voice in the global conversation around sustainable materials and design. His journey began in a Weyerhaeuser corrugated production facility, where he worked to support his college education and gained firsthand knowledge of the intricacies of corrugated packaging. This early experience laid the foundation for a career devoted to making packaging not just functional and cost-effective, but also environmentally responsible. Today, as the host of The Sustainable Packaging Podcast, Cory connects with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are rethinking how products are packaged and delivered in a more sustainable way. His engaging style and technical insights make the podcast a go-to resource for professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve in circular design and materials science.

At the Breakfast Roundtable | How Can CPG Manufacturing Companies Work with Municipalities to Improve Their Recycled Content Returns?, Cory will bring a deeply informed yet practical perspective to the discussion. Having interviewed hundreds of experts and witnessed the rapid evolution of sustainable packaging innovations, he understands both the opportunities and roadblocks facing the industry. His work highlights the urgency of collaborative efforts between brands, manufacturers, governments, and consumers to reduce waste and enhance recycled content performance. Cory’s ability to translate complex sustainability challenges into relatable, solution-driven conversations has inspired a growing movement toward greener packaging systems. Whether you’re a packaging engineer, sustainability officer, or policymaker, this roundtable promises insights that can help drive meaningful impact.

Check out his podcast and LinkedIn for more information.

Jeff Fielkow – CEO, Circular Action Alliance

With over 30 years of experience across global markets, Jeff Fielkow brings unparalleled leadership and vision to the intersection of packaging, recycling, and sustainability. As the inaugural CEO of Circular Action Alliance (CAA), Jeff leverages his extensive background to guide the development of efficient, scalable solutions that drive real environmental impact. His career spans executive roles at major industry players, including serving as CEO for Tetra Pak in both the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Vietnam. His tenure as VP of Sustainability for Southeast Asia and Oceania further cemented his expertise in navigating complex international markets while advancing circular economy principles. Prior to joining CAA, Jeff led ID Images LLC, a label manufacturing leader serving top-tier consumer industries. These experiences have given him a deep understanding of both operational execution and forward-thinking environmental strategy.

Jeff’s influence extends beyond the private sector. He has played a pivotal role in founding and advising packaging recovery organizations in the U.S., Canada, and across Asia, demonstrating a unique ability to align public policy, corporate responsibility, and community needs. His strategic insights have helped shape national recycling programs and guide legislative discussions on extended producer responsibility (EPR). From his work with companies like ReCommunity, Container Recycling, and Waste Management to his board service with TriMas Corporation and the Carton Council of North America, Jeff has consistently positioned himself at the forefront of sustainability innovation. Under his leadership, Circular Action Alliance is poised to be a transformative force in U.S. recycling infrastructure. At industry events, Jeff is known not only for his deep expertise but for his collaborative, solutions-driven mindset—qualities that inspire stakeholders across sectors to take action for a more circular future.

Check out his LinkedIn for more information.

Marissa Lundberg – VP of National Accounts, Group O

Marissa Lundberg brings over a decade of hands-on expertise to the evolving landscape of sustainable packaging. As Vice President of National Accounts, Packaging & Sustainability at Group O, she has spent the past 14 years transforming how companies think about packaging—from a cost center to a strategic opportunity for environmental and operational impact. With nine years at Group O, Marissa has carved out a reputation for her ability to drive measurable results, helping clients across industries optimize their materials, implement automation, and reimagine packaging design. Whether it’s leveraging stretch film technologies or custom solutions, her focus remains clear: reduce waste, improve efficiency, and cut unnecessary costs, all while staying rooted in sustainable practice.

What sets Marissa apart is her deep passion for creating meaningful change. Sustainability isn’t just a job—it’s a personal mission fueled by a long-term vision for a healthier planet. She approaches each client engagement not just with technical knowledge, but with a commitment to lasting impact. Her work ensures that packaging doesn’t just meet today’s business needs but supports the well-being of future generations. At industry events and leadership forums, Marissa is a sought-after voice known for bridging the gap between environmental responsibility and practical, scalable packaging solutions. With a future-focused mindset and a people-first approach, she continues to lead the charge toward a more sustainable and circular economy, one thoughtful design at a time.

Check out her LinkedIn for more information.

Why This Summit Matters

The Packaging Recycling Summit 2025 provides a unique opportunity for industry professionals to engage in meaningful conversations, learn from each other, and collaborate on creating practical solutions to the global packaging waste crisis. The diverse group of speakers and panellists coming from major brands, sustainability consulting firms, and recycling organizations will offer attendees a variety of perspectives and insights.

One of the key takeaways from the summit will be the realization that addressing the packaging waste issue requires collaboration across all sectors of society. From material scientists developing better recycling methods to retailers pushing for sustainable packaging practices, everyone has a role to play in shaping a more sustainable future.

Conclusion

The packaging industry is at a crossroads. As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, it is more important than ever for businesses, governments, and consumers to work together to find solutions that reduce waste and promote sustainability. The Packaging Recycling Summit 2025 is a critical platform where some of the brightest minds in the field will share their expertise, spark new ideas, and drive forward the agenda for sustainable packaging.

This summit is not just about recycling—it’s about reimagining the entire lifecycle of packaging, from design to disposal. It’s about creating a world where packaging doesn’t end up as waste, but rather as a valuable resource to be reused, repurposed, and recycled. The future of packaging is in our hands, and the Packaging Recycling Summit 2025 is just the beginning of the conversation that will shape that future.

To get even more inspiration, check out 7 Small Businesses in NYC Revolutionizing Sustainable Fashion with Zero Waste and 5 Local Boutiques in Montreal Bringing Unique Home Decor Designs to Life.