# 145 - Sustainable Packaging with MJ Werlein from Adept Packaging

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2022-08-09
- Length: 27m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-08-09-145-sustainable-packaging-with-mj-werlein-from-adept-packaging
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/145-sustainable-packaging-with-mj-645

## Summary

MJ Werlein, Senior Sustainability Manager at Adept Packaging, discusses the complexities of sustainable packaging, emphasizing that lifecycle analysis (LCA) must include transportation impacts, not just material choice. She highlights how supply chain uncertainties and high freight costs often disqualify distant suppliers, even if their materials are theoretically greener. Werlein also notes the rise of individual entrepreneurs and local initiatives tackling recycling and waste reduction, while warning brands about the urgent need to prepare for upcoming plastic and labeling regulations.

## Chapters

- [0:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-08-09-145-sustainable-packaging-with-mj-werlein-from-adept-packaging#t=12) Introduction and Guest Background
- [3:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-08-09-145-sustainable-packaging-with-mj-werlein-from-adept-packaging#t=181) Adept Packaging and Industry Experience
- [13:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-08-09-145-sustainable-packaging-with-mj-werlein-from-adept-packaging#t=814) Supply Chain and Transportation in Sustainability
- [17:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-08-09-145-sustainable-packaging-with-mj-werlein-from-adept-packaging#t=1070) Individual Entrepreneurship in Recycling
- [25:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-08-09-145-sustainable-packaging-with-mj-werlein-from-adept-packaging#t=1521) Regulatory Landscape and Conclusion

## Topics

- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Adept Packaging (company)
- 3M (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- Starbucks (company)
- Dermologica (company)
- Living Proof (company)
- Premiere Packaging (company)
- EcoFran (other)
- Recyclops (company)
- Plastics for Change (company)
- Blue Ocean (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [HIBT Lab! UNLESS Collective: Eric Liedtke](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-16-hibt-lab-unless-collective-eric-liedtke) (How I Built This)
- [BONUS - iNEMI VP of Technical & Project Operations Grace O'Malley at APEX 2023 - EMSNOW & SCOOP On Location](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-02-09-bonus-inemi-vp-of-technical-project-operations-grace-omalley-at-apex-2023-emsnow) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [#012 Season 2: Robert Irwin - Senior Industrial Designer, Founder of LearnIndustrialDesign.com, Principal Sustainability Consultant at irwindesigned](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/designing-in-the-wild/2024-05-01-012-season-2-robert-irwin-senior-industrial-designer-founder-of-learnindustriald) (Designing in the Wild)
- [Making garbage useful with Tom Szaky of TerraCycle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-17-making-garbage-useful-with-tom-szaky-of-terracycle) (How I Built This)
- [088: The Importance of Sustainable Product Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-08-11-088-the-importance-of-sustainable-product-manufacturing) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-08-09-145-sustainable-packaging-with-mj-werlein-from-adept-packaging. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to People of Packaging.