Navigating a New Era of Packaging Regulation: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage

As packaging regulations expand across the U.S., producers and brands are facing a new reality: sustainability decisions must also meet financial, operational, and reputational goals. Policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), truth-in-recycling laws, and heightened scrutiny of environmental claims are shifting responsibility squarely onto brands, with direct implications for cost, market access, and credibility.

In this evolving regulatory landscape, success depends not only on meeting compliance requirements, but on making informed decisions, validating progress, and communicating sustainability efforts in a way that is both accurate and defensible.

📅 Thursday | March 19, 2026 | 12 pm ET

In this panel discussion, you’ll learn how to:

✅ Understand the direction of EPR and packaging regulations and what they mean for producers nationwide

✅ Identify where regulatory risk, cost exposure, and packaging decisions intersect across product portfolios and the new product development process

✅ Set targets and achievable milestones for evolving your packaging mix toward lower fees and more positive impact

✅ Establish a cross functional working group to drive progress in line with each state’s EPR rules

✅ Use Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to inform smarter packaging choices, support fee reduction strategies, and guide sustainable product innovation

✅ Equip internal teams through targeted training to ensure packaging, waste, and sustainability strategies are executed consistently across the organization

✅ Evaluate the role of third-party certification in validating improvements and strengthening credible environmental claims

✅ Translate your packaging progress and sustainability data into clear, aligned messaging that resonates with your customers and enables your sales team

✅ Leverage packaging circularity progress to develop a thought leadership position that resonates with your stakeholders

An Expert Panel Conversation with:

Sara Risley, Certification Officer, GreenCircle Certified

Sara brings over 15 years of experience in product certification and regulatory compliance. Before joining GreenCircle, she served as the Vice President of Certification at Green Seal, where she led the certification department for two years. Prior to that, she led NSF International's food product certification division, overseeing independent verification for food labels and packaging claims such as Organic and Non-GMO certifications. Additionally, she spent five years as the technical operations lead at NSF International, managing ANSI-accredited standards for commercial food equipment, food contact materials, and water filters.

Sara holds a master's degree in Human Physiology from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has also completed the High-Performance Leadership program in executive education at the Chicago Booth School of Business. 

Tad Radzinski, PE, SEP, LEED AP, SFP
President, Sustainable Solutions Corporation

With over 35 years of practical experience, Tad Radzinski is co-founder and president of Sustainable Solutions Corporation. Tad leads SSC in delivering consultative services to companies in a wide range of global industries. Formerly the EPA’s Waste Minimization National Expert, Tad has been a trusted advisor for Fortune 100 and 500 companies throughout his lengthy career.

Tad was instrumental in the development of Villanova University's Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Engineering. He was an adjunct professor at Villanova for 18 years where he taught classes including Advanced Life Cycle Assessment, Introduction to Sustainable Product Innovation, and Sustainable Buildings and Operations courses.

Sheila Ongie, Head of Sustainability Strategy, thinkPARALLAX

Sheila is a strategic systems thinker dedicated to creating a safe, healthy, regenerative, and equitable world for all. With an MBA in Sustainable Management and over 20 years of experience, her superpower lies in seamlessly embedding sustainability into corporate strategies. She has successfully guided industry leaders in the natural and consumer packaged goods sectors, including Starbucks, LUSH, Beyond Meat, Blue Diamond Growers, and Bloomin' Brands.

Sheila excels at addressing complex challenges—such as the climate crisis—with both urgency and pragmatic solutions. As a certified TRUE Zero Waste Advisor and with credentials in TCFD and CSRD, she actively contributes to her local B Corp chapter and participates in community clean-up initiatives through Adopt One Block in Portland.

*This webinar will be recorded. If you can’t attend live, register anyway and we’ll send you the full recording after the event.