PODCAST: “PACKAGING MATTERS” @ SeeChange’25 and A New Earth Project with Don Meek

Podcast Show Notes: Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors
Episode Title: Radical Collaboration & Packaging Innovation with Don Meek
Guest: Don Meek, Managing Director of The New Earth Project

Summary:
In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Don Meek, Managing Director of A New Earth Project, to discuss his unconventional journey into the packaging world, the power of storytelling in sustainability, and the exciting initiatives shaping the future of sustainable packaging. Don shares how a background in media and a serendipitous meeting with Wes Carter led him to Atlantic Packaging and the founding of A New Earth Project. Together, they explore the evolution of packaging as a brand attribute, the importance of actionable innovation, and the upcoming See Change Sessions PACKAGING MATTERS 2025 event in Vermont.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Don’s transition from media to sustainable packaging
• The origin story of A New Earth Project and its surf-industry roots
• The collaborative culture at Atlantic Packaging and leadership from Wes and Rusty Carter
• See Change Sessions 2025: a unique event series focused on sustainability and innovation
• The PACKAGING MATTERS track at See Change and its focus on compostability, packaging standards, and brand ethics
• Workshops led by industry leaders including Lisa VanBladeren of Yeti, Matt Saunders of New Earth Ventures, and a track all about Extended Producer Responsibility led by Dave Ford of the Ocean Plastic Leadership Network
• The role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation and the push for “intelligent EPR”
• Total Cost of Ownership: how sustainable packaging can reduce costs through efficiency gains
• Real-world success stories, including packaging redesigns for IBIS Cycles and surfboard packaging using the S3 System
• The importance of aligning procurement and sustainability goals within organizations

Resources Mentioned:

• See Change Sessions: September 17–18, 2025, at Hula in Burlington, Vermont: https://www.seechangesessions.com/tracks/packaging-matters.html
• A New Earth Project: https://anewearthproject.com/
• Ocean Plastic Leadership Network (OPLN): https://opln.org/
• Atlantic’s Packaging Solution Center: https://www.atlanticpkg.com/packaging_solution_center/
• Contact Don Meek at dmeek@anewearthproject.com for more information

Contact:
For more details on See Change Sessions or to get involved in the PACKAGING MATTERS track, visit the See Change Sessions website or reach out to Don directly.

Closing Thoughts:
Cory and Don reflect on the power of radical collaboration, the need for scalable and effective solutions, and the importance of bringing diverse voices together to tackle the packaging industry’s biggest challenges. This episode is a call to action for sustainability leaders, procurement professionals, and innovators to join the movement and help shape a more sustainable future.

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