# 201 - Jonathan Cage is Crazy About Packaging

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2023-07-05
- Length: 30m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-07-05-201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about-packaging
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about

## Summary

Jonathan Cage, Director of Business Development at ICpG (Impact Consumer Products Group), discusses the technical and regulatory complexities of replacing polystyrene with sustainable alternatives like their XPP material. He explains that material substitution is a multi-year process involving extensive testing of barrier properties, shelf life, and recycling compatibility, rather than a simple swap. Cage emphasizes the critical need for industry collaboration and education to navigate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and design for recyclability effectively.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-07-05-201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about-packaging#t=0) Introduction: Adam Peek and Jonathan Cage
- [3:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-07-05-201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about-packaging#t=208) Jonathan Cage's Career Path: From Film to Rigid Packaging
- [9:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-07-05-201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about-packaging#t=551) The Challenge of Replacing Polystyrene with XPP
- [16:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-07-05-201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about-packaging#t=967) Complexity of Material Substitution and Testing Timelines
- [20:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-07-05-201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about-packaging#t=1208) Navigating EPR Regulations and Industry Education
- [25:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-07-05-201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about-packaging#t=1540) The 'Crazy About Packaging' Podcast and Future Topics

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ICpG (company)
- XPP (product)
- polystyrene (material)
- polypropylene (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Race to Replace Plastic: 2026 SF Climate Week](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-06-04-the-race-to-replace-plastic-2026-sf-climate-week) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [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)
- [151 - Primary Packaging/Container Closure Change Guidance, Post-Approval Changes, Sponsor/Supplier Relationships, Purchasing Controls and Tubular vs. Molded Glass with Fran Degrazio](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2024-08-28-151-primary-packaging-container-closure-change-guidance-post-approval-changes-sp) (Let's Combinate)
- [40: Agglomerated Cork](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Ep. 30 - Avoiding Packaging Mistakes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-10-10-ep-30-avoiding-packaging-mistakes) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)

## 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/2023-07-05-201-jonathan-cage-is-crazy-about-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.