# 316 - Micro plastics are where?!? packaging today show special

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2025-06-25
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging

## Summary

Hosts discuss a Fizz.org review on microplastics and nanoplastics in packaging, noting that eliminating plastic entirely is currently impossible due to necessary polymer coatings on paper and glass alternatives. They highlight the societal benefits of plastic, such as reduced food waste and improved global nutrition, while debating the feasibility of alternatives like glass, aluminum, and novel materials like molded coconut husk. The conversation concludes with a look at on-demand, right-sized box printing technology that reduces void space and allows for digital branding on shipping containers.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special#t=0) Introduction: Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Packaging
- [4:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special#t=296) The Impossibility of Eliminating Plastic in Food Packaging
- [11:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special#t=692) The Societal Value of Plastic: Food Waste and Global Nutrition
- [15:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special#t=943) Critiquing Alternatives: Glass, Aluminum, and Digital Screens
- [18:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special#t=1101) Novel Materials: Molded Coconut Husk and Palm Waste
- [22:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special#t=1370) On-Demand Right-Sized Box Printing and Digital Branding
- [26:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special#t=1600) Recycling Challenges with Poly Bags and Flexible Plastics

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Fizz.org (other)
- CNN (other)
- Yanko Design (other)
- Polly Bags (other)
- Polly Naylor (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [64: Unbridled Consumerism](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2020-11-19-64-unbridled-consumerism) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [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)
- [8: Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-01-28-8-packaging) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Keeping Microplastics Out of Nature: A Discussion with Adam Root, Founder of Matter.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-03-28-keeping-microplastics-out-of-nature-a-discussion-with-adam-root-founder-of-matte) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [40: Agglomerated Cork](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork) (Thoroughly Considered)

## 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/2025-06-25-316-micro-plastics-are-where-packaging-today-show-special. 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.