Webinar: Understanding Your Fiber or Paper Package’s Compatibility with the US Recycling System by Sustainable Packaging Coalition

About This Webinar

The Recycled Materials Association (formerly ISRI) recently unveiled a new tool to help more fiber and paper in the U.S. get recycled. The new ReMA Fiber Recycling Readiness Tool is a free, science- based online resource to assist brands and packaging companies as they design or redesign fiber-based packaging for the U.S. market. The Tool assesses whether the packaging will flow through the current recycling infrastructure in the U.S., given pressure points in the current recycling system. It provides customized feedback on how to improve the recyclability of a package, such as changing the size or composition of the package. During this free webinar, attendees will also hear about development of the Tool, its advantages, and plans for the future.

Presenters

Brad Kurzynowski, Moderator

Manager, Fiber, Sustainable Packaging Coalition

Prior to joining the SPC as Manager, Fiber, Brad was a consultant with Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), helping to lead the organization’s corporate sustainability and life cycle assessment work. His combination of professional and academic experience provided clients a unique perspective on the intersection of packaging sustainability and resource management. Brad is eager to build on this work in support of the SPC and its members. He received his B.S. and M.S. from Michigan State University’s School of Packaging.

Bret Biggers

Senior Economist at the Recycled Materials Association

Bret Biggers is a Senior Economist at ReMA, where he collects, analyzes and disseminates information on recycled commodity trends. He is the staff liaison for the Paper Division, Plastics Division and the MRF Committee. Biggers also works on the ISRI Specifications, the Fiber Recycling Readiness Tool, the Recycled Materials Industry Yearbook, Trade Committee and Market Access Working Group. Biggers has addressed economic, market and sustainability issues for most of his career, writing articles and producing reports. He has worked at the National Waste and Recycling Association, Flexible Packaging Association and consulted in the trucking, chemical, and specialty printing industries.

Natalie Messer Betts

Assistant Vice President of Sustainability at the Recycled Materials Association

Natalie Messer Betts is the Assistant Vice President of Sustainability at the Recycled Materials Association, where she leads sustainability and ESG education and resource development. Natalie previously worked as the Director of Partnerships and Municipal Relations at Balcones Resources, one of the largest independent recycling companies in the U.S. At Balcones, she worked with cities to support their recycling programs, and expanded the company into new markets. Before joining Balcones, Natalie spent 10 years in public service with the City of Austin, including as the City’s Circular Economy Program Manager where she spearheaded numerous reuse, repair, and circular entrepreneurship initiatives. Natalie has a BA in Film Studies and Political Science from Emory University, a Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University, and was a 2019-2020 Robert Bosch Stiftung fellow focused on circular economy innovation in Berlin.