# 212 -Sustainability using packaging equipment? Josh Becker from Harpak-Ulma LIVE from PACK EXPO

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2023-09-12
- Length: 27m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/212-sustainability-using-packaging

## Summary

Josh Becker, Bakery and Confection Segment Manager for Harpak-Ulma, discusses how packaging equipment drives sustainability by reducing waste and improving supply chain efficiency. He highlights specific technologies like a vertical bagger with a 'tight bag' feature that removes air to maximize pallet density and reduce shipping emissions. Becker emphasizes the critical need for early involvement of equipment manufacturers when brands switch to new sustainable films to avoid production losses and ensure compatibility. The conversation also addresses the tension between consumer demand for product variety and the goal of minimizing food waste through better inventory management.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f#t=9) Introduction: Adam Peak and Josh Becker at PACK EXPO
- [2:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f#t=147) Harpak-Ulma's Role in Bakery and Confection Packaging
- [4:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f#t=256) Josh Becker's Career Path from Chemical Engineering to Packaging
- [11:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f#t=708) Holistic Sustainability: Reducing Waste vs. Material Changes
- [15:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f#t=913) The Necessity of Early Equipment Manufacturer Involvement
- [18:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f#t=1083) Balancing Consumer Demand, SKUs, and Food Waste
- [22:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f#t=1374) Harpak-Ulma's 'Tight Bag' Feature and Flow Wrapping Innovations

## Topics

- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Harpak-Ulma (company)
- SupplyCaddy (company)
- Meyers (company)
- Packaging Peeks (product)
- Ravenwood (company)
- HMI (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [BONUS - iNEMI VP of Technical & Project Operations Grace O'Malley at APEX 2023 - EMSNOW & SCOOP On Location](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-02-22-bonus-inemi-vp-of-technical-project-operations-grace-omalley-at-apex-2023-emsnow) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Intelligent Dumpsters and Sustainable Waste Disposal with Ben Chehebar, VP of Hardware at RoadRunner Recycling, and Jason Gates, Senior VP of Strategy at RoadRunner Recycling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-03-30-intelligent-dumpsters-and-sustainable-waste-disposal-with-ben-chehebar-vp-of-har) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [#260 - Packaging Changes as you Grow with Evie's Snacks and Belmark](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-04-260-packaging-changes-as-you-grow-with-evies-snacks-and-belmark) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Reinventing the Pizza Bagel: Bagelverse's Jacob Cooper on Nostalgia and CPG](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-10-09-reinventing-the-pizza-bagel-bagelverses-jacob-cooper-on-nostalgia-and-cpg) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [The Waste Management Industry with Jeff Satwicz, Co-Founder of Bigbelly](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-06-23-the-waste-management-industry-with-jeff-satwicz-co-founder-of-bigbelly) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

## 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/2023-09-12-212-sustainability-using-packaging-equipment-josh-becker-from-harpak-ulma-live-f. 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.