In this episode, Cory Connors talks with Paul Hendricks, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance (TCA), which unites over 200 companies to protect vital U.S. lands and waters. Paul shares his journey from Michigan’s forests to leadership roles at Patagonia, Rivian, and now TCA. He explains how the Alliance funds grassroots conservation work, mobilizes business voices, and drives policy wins—including protecting 28 million acres of Alaska’s D1 lands and the removal of the Klamath River dams. Cory and Paul also discuss why access to nature matters, the economic value of public lands, and how people can get involved in advancing conservation efforts.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Paul’s background in environmental work and values formed during an outdoor-focused childhood
• Founding story and mission of The Conservation Alliance
• The organization’s role as the business voice for conservation
• Collaboration with more than 200 member companies
• How TCA funds and amplifies local grassroots conservation organizations
• Working with federal, state, and local governments on conservation policy

Resources Mentioned:

• The Conservation Alliance
• RecTech partners like AllTrails and OnX
• Conservation campaigns including the Boundary Waters and Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukevni-Ancestral National Monument

Contact:
Conservation Alliance:
Website: conservationalliance.com
Instagram
LinkedIn

Closing Thoughts:
Paul’s passion for protecting wild places is rooted in a lifelong love of nature—and a desire for future generations to experience the same. His work with The Conservation Alliance proves the power of collective action: businesses, communities, tribes, and individuals all have a role to play in safeguarding America’s natural heritage. Cory and Paul encourage listeners to get involved—whether by joining a local cause, taking small actions, donating, or simply spending more time outdoors to appreciate the beauty at stake.

Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors!

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Learn more here:

• www.3M.com/sustainablepackaging
• https://www.specright.com/
• https://www.loraxcompliance.com/

Connect with Cory

Connect with Cory on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap.

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode of Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors, Cory welcomes Lindsay Dahl, a long‑time environmental health advocate and current Chief Impact Officer at Ritual. Lindsay shares insights from her 20‑year career working to eliminate toxic chemicals from our homes, products, and environment — including packaging.

The conversation explores Ritual’s sustainability journey, their data‑driven approach to packaging decisions, transparent ingredient sourcing, and why “perfect” packaging solutions rarely exist. Lindsay also dives into her new book Cleaning House, discussing chemical misinformation, environmental justice, and the urgent need for bipartisan progress.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Lindsay’s 20‑year career combating toxic chemical pollution
• How policy, advocacy, and corporate change intersect
• Ritual’s mission: safety, efficacy, and extreme transparency
• Why Ritual publicly shares supplier and manufacturing information
• How Ritual evaluates packaging through life cycle assessments
• Why recycled PET, stock packaging, and moisture‑protective bottles matter
• The story behind ditching plastic scoops — and the impact
• Real trade‑offs between recyclability, carbon footprint & product protection
• The role of misinformation and why Lindsay wrote Cleaning House
• Chemical safety, environmental justice, and social media harms
• How consumers can make informed decisions about toxins and packaging
• The difference between “looks sustainable” vs. “actually sustainable”
• Why sustainability and health are interconnected

Resources Mentioned:

• Ritual Supplements
• Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals – available wherever books are sold
• Bookshop.org (supports independent bookstores)

Contact:

Connect with Lindsay Dahl on LinkedIn
Learn more or shop Ritual at ritual.com

Closing Thoughts:

Cory and Lindsay emphasize the importance of honesty, transparency, and scientific rigor in sustainable packaging. Lindsay highlights the value of lifecycle assessments, the need to move away from perfection narratives, and the importance of understanding the full environmental and social impact of toxic chemicals.

Listeners are encouraged to explore Ritual’s sustainability work, pick up Lindsay’s new book, and stay curious about the ingredients and packaging choices behind everyday products.

Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors!

Support our Sponsors

Learn more here:

• www.3M.com/sustainablepackaging
• https://www.specright.com/
• https://www.loraxcompliance.com/

Connect with Cory

Connect with Cory on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap.

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes Loïc Vandermeeren, founder and CEO of KWiiD, to discuss the innovative reusable box system reshaping sustainable packaging. Loïc shares how his background in IT and pharma, combined with a desire to reduce waste, inspired him to develop collapsible reusable packaging made from a fabric exterior and a replaceable corrugated insert. He explains how KWiiD boxes provide speed, durability, and cost efficiency while dramatically extending the life of corrugated materials. Loïc describes the 14‑iteration design journey, feedback from early partners like Decathlon, and how closed‑loop systems such as click‑and‑collect and locker‑based logistics help maximize return rates and reduce environmental impact. The conversation also covers customization, operational savings, and the positive reception of KWiiD’s products at the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Utrecht.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Loïc’s shift from IT/pharma to sustainable packaging and his motivation to address waste
• The inspiration for KWiiD during a visit to a recycling center
• How KWiiD’s collapsible box works and the benefits of fabric protection with a replaceable corrugated insert
• Challenges with traditional reusable packaging and how KWiiD extends box life up to 100 cycles
• Customer use cases including Decathlon’s successful closed‑loop implementation
• The importance of internal logistics, click‑and‑collect, and locker systems for reliable returns
• The 14‑iteration design process and real‑world feedback during development
• Branding and customization options for the fabric exterior
• Cost savings, the subscription model, and benefits of avoiding capex for customers
• Experiences at the Sustainable Packaging Summit and the value of industry collaboration
• What’s ahead for KWiiD and expected growth in 2026

Resources Mentioned:

KWiiD reusable packaging system
Sustainable Packaging Summit (Utrecht)
KWiiD LinkedIn

Contact:

Listeners can reach Loïc and the KWiiD team through the contact form at kwiid.com or by connecting on LinkedIn to view demos and case studies.

Loïc: LinkedIn

KWiiD: LinkedIn

Closing Thoughts:

Cory and Loïc highlight the importance of innovation, collaboration, and action in driving sustainability in packaging. Loïc encourages anyone with an idea to take the first step, emphasizing that meaningful impact only happens when ideas move from discussion to execution. KWiiD’s story demonstrates how practical, scalable solutions can significantly reduce waste and support a more sustainable future.

Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors!

Connect with Cory

Connect with Cory on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap.

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.