20. Sustainable Packaging Is Retail's Next Edge With Reyna Bryan, Elk Packaging

20. If your packaging harms the planet after purchase, your brand story stops at the shelf. Sustainable packaging isn't a trend—it's retail's next competitive advantage. In this powerful conversation with Reyna Bryan of Elk Packaging and Rain Child Design, we unpack the hidden lifecycle of conventional packaging—landfills, oceans, toxins—and why multilayer laminates rarely degrade within our lifetime. We contrast that with ASTM 6400–certified compostable packaging that safely breaks down in industrial composting and aligns with the values of today's conscious consumer. You'll learn why retailers like Whole Foods and Starbucks are leaning in, how compostable packaging differentiates emerging brands, why innovation costs are currently shouldered by brands alone, and how sharing that cost across the value chain could accelerate change. We also explore the growing zero-waste initiatives, the infrastructure gap, and how sustainable packaging creates a "feel-good" narrative that drives loyalty and basket size. Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session20