Carol Pan is pursuing a master’s degree in packaging science at Rochester Institute of Technology, and attended SPC Advance as a student volunteer. Her impression of the event:

SPC Advance provided a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from professionals engaged in sustainability from different sectors. The theme of educating consumers came up in many of the sessions, especially those focusing on the implementation of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s How2Recycle on-package recycling label, the launch of the American Chemistry Council’s W.R.A.P. (Wrap Recycling Action Program), Target’s “Made to Matter” curation of 16 sustainable brands, and the FTC’s clarification of their “Green Guides” for on-package labeling. In addition to the presentations, I especially enjoyed the hands-on tour of the 3M Innovation Center where we were able to interact with a few of its core technologies that are versatile in many everyday applications. SPC Advance added to my packaging knowledge with real life examples and current trends, and also broadened my professional network — all of which are invaluable for a future packaging professional.