# 69 - Sara Miltenberger - Making Climate Cool

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2021-08-12
- Length: 40m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-08-12-69-sara-miltenberger-making-climate-cool
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/69-sara-miltenberger-making-climate-846

## Summary

Sara Miltenberger, a sustainability consultant and host of the 'Make Climate Cool' podcast, discusses how brands can navigate the complexities of sustainable packaging without falling into greenwashing. She emphasizes the need for specific, science-backed sustainability goals rather than vague commitments, using examples like glass versus monoplastic to illustrate trade-offs. Miltenberger also offers two actionable strategies for consumers: engaging directly with brands on Instagram to drive change and implementing a 48-hour waiting period for purchases to reduce impulse buying and waste.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-08-12-69-sara-miltenberger-making-climate-cool#t=0) Introduction: Sara Miltenberger and Make Climate Cool
- [3:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-08-12-69-sara-miltenberger-making-climate-cool#t=215) Miltenberger's Background: Tesla, DeLos, and Sustainability Consulting
- [14:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-08-12-69-sara-miltenberger-making-climate-cool#t=848) The Problem with Vague Sustainability Goals and Greenwashing
- [17:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-08-12-69-sara-miltenberger-making-climate-cool#t=1073) Case Study: Glass Bottles vs. Monoplastic for Serum Packaging
- [24:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-08-12-69-sara-miltenberger-making-climate-cool#t=1489) The Importance of Data, Metrics, and Third-Party Validation
- [30:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-08-12-69-sara-miltenberger-making-climate-cool#t=1803) Consumer Action: Engaging Brands on Instagram and the 48-Hour Rule

## Topics

- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Tesla (company)
- DeLos (company)
- Make Climate Cool (product)
- Clubhouse (other)
- Forbes (other)
- Zara (company)
- Starbucks (company)
- Albertsons (company)
- Pack Expo (other)
- Lux pack (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Pure Gold Series: How to Fight Climate Change as an Emerging Brand with Seth Goldman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-04-19-pure-gold-series-how-to-fight-climate-change-as-an-emerging-brand-with-seth-gold) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Advice Line with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-11-advice-line-with-christina-tosi-of-milk-bar) (How I Built This)
- [#195 - What Do Health and Sustainability Really Mean to Consumers? | Dana Kim & Sam Kass](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-05-06-195-what-do-health-and-sustainability-really-mean-to-consumers-dana-kim-sam-kass) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Advice Line with Jeffrey Hollender of Seventh Generation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-05-28-advice-line-with-jeffrey-hollender-of-seventh-generation) (How I Built This)
- [#233 - Ask-Me-Anything: Marketing with Janice Greenwald](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-27-233-ask-me-anything-marketing-with-janice-greenwald) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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