While the primary function of packaging is to protect, contain, preserve and transport a product, the function of intuitive Save Food Packaging Design to minimise food waste, is only now being discussed. As a core participant of the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) has been working on guidelines that will help packaging technologists to design Save Food Packaging to minimise food waste from paddock to plate.
This is by using innovative and intuitive design features that can contain and protect, preserve, extend shelf life, and can be opened and resealed easily, provide consumer convenience and portion control – while also meeting global sustainable packaging targets. This session will explore new criteria for designing packaging to reduce food waste, best practice examples from companies, and key findings from research into this topic.
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    Olga Kachook
    Senior Manager SPC, GreenBlue
    Olga Kachook is a Project Manager at GreenBlue, where she leads the Essentials of Sustainable Packaging courses and the Composting Collaborative. Her background includesexpertise in compostable materials and packaging, zero waste facility certification, life cycle analysis, and sustainable materials management.Prior to joining GreenBlue, she led corporate sustainability and waste initiatives at World Centric, Etsy, Cascade Designs, and Cascadia Consulting. Olga has a Master of Environmental Management from Yale Universitys School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington. She is certified as a LEED Green Associate and a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor.
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    Nerida Kelton
    Executive Director, Australian Institute of Packaging
    Nerida Kelton is the Executive Director for the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), Vice President Sustainability & Save Food and the ANZ Board member for the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). She is also a Member of the International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO).

    She has worked in the Packaging industry for over 22 years, is the AIP lead for the Save Food Packaging Consortium project within the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre and was on the Department of Environment and Energy's National Food Waste Strategy Steering Committee.

    Nerida is passionate about educating the industry on the important role that packaging plays in minimising Food Waste and how designing Save Food Packaging can make a difference. She is also one of the creators of the annual Xmas Foodbank hamper program which is designed to help those who are vulnerable and in need. The volunteer program has packed over 12,000 hampers to the value of over $1 Million AUD over the last 10 years.

    Nerida is also committed to helping educate and train packaging professionals in the importance of sustainable and circular packaging design and recognising best practice in this area.