90 - Why did a brand change from rigid plastic to steel packaging with Dr. Shannon O'Grady from Gnarly Nutrition

People of Packaging · 14 Dec 2021 · 44m

What this episode covers

Dr. Shannon O'Grady, Chief Product Officer and COO of Gnarly Nutrition, explains the company's strategic transition from rigid HDPE plastic tubs to tin-plated steel cans to improve sustainability. She details the research process involving an intern, the rejection of biodegradable and compostable films due to barrier limitations, and the decision to switch to recyclable plastic pouches for stick packs. O'Grady highlights the operational challenges of finding responsive vendors, the importance of customer feedback in justifying the capital investment, and the ongoing search for recyclable film solutions for single-use stick packs.

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