Beyond waste reduction - Redefining sustainable packaging
From Produce Talks by Canadian Produce Marketing Association
December 2, 2025 · 33 min · Episode 141
About this episode
This episode discusses the evolution of sustainable packaging in the produce industry, focusing on minimizing waste while ensuring food safety and quality.
If there is one topic that has dominated the sustainability conversation in our industry, it is packaging. But as we look toward 2026, the conversation is evolving from simple reduction to a complex balance of functionality, food safety, and environmental footprint. In the finale of our fall 2025 sustainability series, CPMA's Produce Talks sits down with experts across the supply chain to discuss how we can minimize waste without compromising the quality of fresh produce for Canadians. In this episode, Stuart Jackson of Crawford Packaging, JF Delorme (IFCO), and Jeff Brandenburg of QFresh Lab, join us as we discuss the "Field to Fork" balance: How to reduce packaging waste without increasing food waste. We also explore B2B vs. B2C: Navigating the differences between primary consumer packaging and tertiary logistics packaging, as well as leading Future Trends related to recycling, composting, and the next generation of packaging materials. A special thanks to our series sponsor, Crawford Packaging, for supporting this vital conversation.
People in this episode
Guests: Stuart Jackson, JF Delorme, Jeff Brandenburg
Topics covered
- sustainability
- packaging
- food safety
- waste reduction
- supply chain
Keywords
- sustainable packaging
- waste reduction
- food safety
- environmental footprint
- recycling
- composting
- B2B packaging
- B2C packaging
- Future Trends
Sponsors
Crawford Packaging
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Crawford Packaging, IFCO, QFresh Lab
Books & works: Produce Talks
More episodes of Produce Talks
- How Design Thinking is Shaping the Future of Sustainable Produce Packaging · April 17, 2026 · 29 min
- Latest trends in produce consumption · March 9, 2026 · 13 min
- Innovation in produce industry · February 25, 2026 · 23 min
- Canadian consumer trends in produce shopping · January 28, 2026 · 22 min
- Reflecting on 2025 and key insights for a stronger 2026 produce industry · December 16, 2025 · 35 min
- From burden to advantage: Rethinking sustainability reporting and assurance · November 18, 2025 · 38 min
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