Sustainability Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s a Business Decision.

“What does sustainability mean to you and your brand?”

This is a question I consistently ask prospects, clients and guests on my podcast.
And to be honest?

There is NO one universal answer. 

Because sustainability means different things depending on who you ask:

• Sustainable ingredients
• Sustainable packaging
• Sustainable operations
• Or all of the above

And now—with regulations like Packaging EPR (yes, Georgia 👀 that tax bill is on the floor), California SB54, and more rolling out—

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have.

 It’s not a trend. 

It’s not a buzzword.

It’s not a marketing sticker slapped onto a box.

It’s a responsibility!

The Reality: Consumers Are Paying Attention

And the data backs it up:

• 73% of global consumers say they would change consumption habits to reduce environmental impact (NielsenIQ)
• 78% of U.S. consumers say sustainability is important when choosing products (McKinsey, 2025)
• Over 60% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging (Deloitte)

The Part We Don’t Talk About Enough

If you’ve been in my world—through GLC or thProduct and Packaging Powerhouse Podcast,—you already know:

I’ve always been a cheerleader for sustainability.

But not the polished, PR-approved version.

No fluff, just real conversations.

Because sustainability in product and packaging?

It’s:

• Complex
• Expensive
• Evolving
• Sometimes messy
• And yes… sometimes uncomfortable

We’re talking:

• Regulatory headaches
• Sourcing challenges
• Cost pressures
• Consumer misconceptions
• Operational trade-offs

Because if we’re going to build better brands—

We have to talk about what’s actually happening.

🌎 Hello Earth Month: Let’s Get Into It

In honor of Earth Month, I’m spotlighting some of the most powerful sustainability conversations from the podcast.

Not surface-level takes.

Real founders.
Real operators.
Real packaging leaders.

Sharing what it actually takes to build responsibly.

So whether you’re sipping your morning coffee ☕ or heading out for your evening walk—

Pop those earbuds in.

Here’s your curated Earth Month listening list (all available HERE):

• Building a Seven-Figure Haircare Brand Rooted in Sustainable Ingredients, Packaging & Community (without Amazon) with Kate Assaraf, CEO and Founder, DIP Hair Care. Listen here
• Inside MakeUp in New York: Day 2-Packaging & Sustainability with ME ( Megan Young Gamble, PMP®) Chief Project Officer @ GLC. Listen here
• Roundtable: Packaging, Plastics & Platforms toward Circular Economy” with Emily Anne Friedman (Recycled Plastics Editor, ICIS), Ryan Fox (Packaging Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence) and Nicole Toole (Founder of ECGO). Listen here
• Shipping, Sustainability & Software Solutions for Global Growth with Imtiaz Kermali, VP of Sales & Marketing at eShipper. Listen here
• What Compostable Packaging Really Means?” with Rhodes Yepsen, Executive Director of Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). Listen here
• Are Labels Really Sustainable? –  Christopher Doerr, President of Validators. Listen here
• Packaging Challenges around Sustainability, Technology and Regulations – Brandon Frank, CEO of Pacific Packaging Components. Listen here
• How Connected Packaging Shapes Sustainability and Traceability –  John Dwyer, Smart Packaging Expert at Smurfit Westrock & Maurizio Carano, Innovation & Marketing Director IML @ MCC Label. Listen here
• Sustainability and Cost-Effective Measures in Packaging and Product Development – ​Michael Houston​, Packaging Sustainability Consultant and Entrepreneur. Listen more
• Creating a Sustainable Skincare Collection –  Carolina Lopez, Founder & CEO of BEJOU Skincare. Listen here
• Packaging Sustainability to Professional Networking – Brad Levin, Senior Sustainability and Sales Manager at Millennium Group. Listen here
• The Power of Sustainable Packaging- Cory Connors “Corygated(R)”, Director of Sustainable Packaging @ Orora Packaging Solutions, Host of Sustainable Packaging Podcast. Listen here
• Be a Packaging Steward: Packaging Sustainability, Sales and Intentional Connections-  Adam Peek “Packaging Pastor” SVP of Meyers | Host of People of Packaging Podcast. Listen here

FINAL THOUGHTS

These episodes don’t just celebrate sustainability.

They

• Challenge it.
• Question it.
• Unpack (pun intended 😉) what it really takes to execute it.

Because sustainability is not a promise you make once.
It’s a commitment you operationalize every single day.

This is not just another marketing campaign “greenwashing”. 

What do I advise my clients?

Determine which area of sustainability is priority NOW, then phase in the other areas of sustainability over the next 3-5 years. This helps mitigate risks and failing due to stringent “standards”. It takes a strategic operator to holistically consider regulations, end users, markets, and materials to offer the right approach. We are building a sustainable operation. 

I’d genuinely be delighted to hear from you –
Which conversations resonated most?
What topics should we tackle next?

Cheers,
Megan PS…If you’re building or scaling a beauty, wellness, or CPG brand and need real execution support across packaging, product, or operations, let’s talk.

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