From a young age to now, you could say I have sustained my interest in sustainability. Shortly after learning how to read, I learned about the importance of recycling and taught my father how to sort. A few years later and I am on my school’s Green Club, building systems for the school to be more sustainable such as local litter clean-up and instilling recycling in all classrooms. It was being in that club that gave me the opportunity to be a part of the first tour for foreigners at a waste processing facility, in Shanghai, China. There I am pictured in awe by the crane operator moving tonnes of waste into the incinerator to generate energy - we’ve learned about the insane amount of pollution this causes but you cant blame 13 year old me for thinking it was sick as heck anyways.

In my more recent years this interest grew more within my unending passion for packaging. After taking a course in Sustainability in Packaging, learning about cyclic systems, the mass scales of waste and opportunities within our industries and calculating specifics using tools such as LCA’s. My repertoire of knowledge allowed me to see how sustainability does or doesn't play a role in all things big or small.

I have to credit Donna Razik, a professor turned mentor, who fostered my packaging and sustainability skills into the professional I am today. I couldn't get enough of her classes that I had to become her teaching assistant for the following year’s sustainability course and other courses thereafter, even after my graduation. But before I donned my cap and gown, Donna was my advisor for my undergraduate thesis, critical for insightful discussions and enabling interviews with some of the industry's best intellects.


This is a photo of the spread dedicated to our club's field trip to be the first foreigners permitted to see the waste treatment facilities in Shanghai, China, from my Year 7 yearbook That is a young me smiling beside the crane operator loading up the incinerator. This is perhaps the earliest example I could find about my lifelong passion for sustainability (burning garbage is bad, but at least they generate some electricity with it) This is a selfie of me and my one-year-old Pothos plant I am currently most proud of and was the start of the indoor planting journey. Green thumb, green mind
This is a little moss fairy I made on a cottage trip last summer, isn't nature beautiful? The next generations deserve to experience this too. This is a post about my Donna appreciation post label on a table post. Donna was my professor turned mentor and taught me so much about sustainability on a large scale. From how to do an LCA to discussing article findings for our research projects, my mind wouldn't be as on the ball without her

Sustainable Passion for Sustainability

Always

Sustainability is a state of mind one can apply to all aspects in life. Finding ways to reduce waste even in spheres such as time can make an impact. For as long as greenwashing existed, consumers have been reminded that even something as small as printing on both sides of the page is more sustainable, but I hope my career takes me to push sustainable changes in larger systems. I know that taking public transit instead of a car, even for my entire life, would not be close the impact which some industrial system changes could. So it is my aim to keep finding opportunities to instill these bigger changes, and enjoying the fruits of the planet while we still have them.

Save the Earth, Worth the Effort


My independent undergraduate thesis was “Reuse: The Canadian Cannabis Industry’s next step for Dried Cannabis Packaging”, a product of my fascination with cyclic systems and noticing that most packaging for dried cannabis (in the market at the time) was the same. In my thesis I explored all the research then available on sustainable packaging for the cannabis industry (there’s a large gap of information here) as well as research on cyclic systems and how to best implement them.

I conducted a survey which garnered over 500 responses in order to capture consumer perceptions and desires for cannabis packaging. After analysing my primary and secondary sources, including interviews with the Director of Innovation at a major cannabis company, the Director of Sustainability of The Beer Store and leaders in Loop, considerably the best reuse system in North America, I was able to create a discussion comparing different sustainable options for dried cannabis packaging, reaching a conclusion that cyclic would still be ideal if implemented and then continuing by identifying and discussing all barriers present in implementing a reuse system and proposed well researched theories on how to overcome them.

You can check out my full thesis at this link here.

In the future I seek to continue this research. I am extremely passionate about cannabis packaging as its rapid developments and innovations inspire me as well as the potential and need for more sustainable packaging solutions in this industry.

Shortly after my publication, a majority of products started being packed in multi-layer zipper pouches, greatly reducing the virgin material used and air shipped, vastly reducing overall single-use impact and scale of sustainability concern present during my research. However this is still not easy to recycle & a reuse system would still still be better – so a new question is what could reusable pouches look like? I’d love to explore this and so much more.

Before working on a thesis of my own, I assisted my professor, Donna Razik, on a research project of theirs on recycling symbols. This gave me great insights into research work, surveying and academic writing. There was immense joy in our discussions, making connections between data and secondary resources, navigating how to best conduct our exploration. After creating high quality visuals for that survey, I was also asked to create diagrams for their chapter in "Whisky and other spirits: technology, production and marketing".



This is an image of my sketchbook outlining the Discussion section of my thesis, surrounded by examples of product packaging at the time.
The Table of Contents from my thesis where you can see the breadths of topics I built research on, it was my goal to cover every related aspect so that I could make several proposals to increase sustainability and capture what barriers existed for implementing them For this project I interviewed several industry leaders and read almost everything published on Cannabis sustainability and installing circular systems, but a significant part was the 500+ survey responses which helped me understand what solutions consumers would respond best to.
One of the figures from my thesis, looking back I should've added a no additional cost option, but this still shows that a majority is willing to invest more than a dollar per product, no matter which direction sustainability may be increased in the package.

Reuse: The Canadian Cannabis Industry’s next step for Dried Cannabis Packaging

2020

This thesis was conducted soon after recreational cannabis use was legalized in Canada, and I was so bothered by how wasteful the packaging was that I turned my greivance into fuel to help the future of it. Knowing that I couldn't just design the reuse system of my dreams, I dove into the regulations and any publications related to the topic, I interviewed industry leaders and surveyed over 500 consumers. I built a deep understanding of the current market, what steps have been made for sustainability therein and how cyclic systems were implemented. In my discussion I propose numerous options for increasing sustainability. With the ideal being a nationwide re-use system I also discussed the existing barriers and concepts to overcome them so that the next interested researcher wouldn't just have a dream to start with like I did (seriously there was so little research available on this when I started).

A render of the bottom of a coffee cup with a modified how2recycle logo which uses colour, used in a survey to see what sort of disposal messaging consumers would respond best to. A render showing the resin code found on the top of most coffee cups, used in a survey to see what disposal messaging consumers would respond best to. A diagram of a whiskey bottle with all parts of the packaging structure labels, used for a textbook: Whisky and other spirits: technology, production and marketing

Packaging Research Assistant

2020-21

Being able to support other research projects helped expand my research skills. One project was researching consumer perception of existing and novel recycling symbols, where I read many papers on the semiotics used and how consumers sort their recycling world-wide to support our discussions. I further supported in building the questionnaire, developing renders to better communicate therein, and distributing to increase survey responses.


I was proud to work at such a large paper corporation, the extent of knowledge I had at my fingertips from visiting production locations to being able to jump on call with anyone from lumber to labeling. Designing paper solutions was a dream as I could make as many samples as I needed guilt-free, knowing we had a great recovery system and getting the carton to a perfect size in all my projects. At such scales, any reduction in shipping space & material use is one of easiest steps towards sustainability we can do.

There was direct exposure to every aspect of the packaging industry. My neurodivergent nature was thrilled by the capacity to explore curiosities and find opportunities. Many of the projects I worked on may have employed sustainability largely out of an interest of cost, like maintaining existing systems, reducing product loss via transport, and minimizing material use, but the heart came from the passion to design great things. From exploring paper clips to replace plastic bottle rings and adapting dielines to work for different bottle sizes - to adding some more internal cuts to that doughnut enjoyers could have two heart-shaped valentines cards without a big hole drying out their goods.

I was not just resourceful in my projects, but with my person too. As a lone designer at a printing plant I had a lot of freedom with my methods, I didn't have to share the plotter so I made a game of being really efficient with my prototype blanks. I stockpiled shipping supplies to reuse, the cardboard cut to size of the samples being sent, no matter the quantity. With every tool available, I was able to jump between tasks as my interest bounced. I can find efficiency even in things as thimble as time.

Significant projects worked on:

  • Paper bakery solutions for Costco Canada, Krispy Kreme, Dairy Queen, Walmart, Publix and Carolina Foods, and other customers

  • Varied take-out-plastic opportunities with clips, wraps and fully enclosed cartons for Coca-Cola, ABinBev, Molson Beverages, RedBull, Arizona, Carlsberg and more

  • Production trials and testing of can paper clips with brands such as ABinBev & Pepsi

  • Multipack folding carton solutions for Campbell’s Snacks, UTZ Snacks and Kelloggs

  • Assorted food service including formed cartons for Whataburger, Virtual Dining Concepts on Mariah Carey and MR.Beast projects, CMI, and others


The Krispy Kreme Valentine 2021 carton was the first project I worked on and could see in my local market. I was so proud of the tear-off cards which maintain window and original carton functions without using any additional material Top photo is me working on a side project of covering my back office wall with Czech scenery, using a weight and the plotter to trim the white edges made during printing. Due to the lack of laser in my old Zund table, I manually nudged the knife point and got close to check placement. <br> <br> Bottom pic is me at the Atlanta design facility checking out the added features in their new Kongsberg. Im holding the tool to align blade height, which I had to do by eye with my home table. This was a photo used in a presentation about the ease of packaging return for reuse
An ArtiosCAD render of one of my final projects in the role, an advent calendar with minimal disruption to the existing production process and package integrity An example of a paper replacement solution for plastic beer clips, we worked on many variants for many different primaries. With a printed look that good, how could we think it was ever cool to hurt the turtles I had ideas about replacing the plastic tray used for cookies with a one-piece paper solution An example of a paper replacement solution for plastic beer clips, we worked on many variants for many different primaries. With a printed look that good, how could we think it was ever cool to hurt the turtles
In my first month, I created this glue-less and single-piece heart-shaped pizza box My Zund table had a rapid demise, but I always enjoy finding the humour in a situation. Here having a little photo shoot to commemorate the times we've had, making a mourning veil and wearing the ear protection I wore around the table in operation since the vacuum was so loud. I posed six times around it to simulate carrying a casket at a funeral. My records had conflicting information on when the table was 'born'

Developing Sustainable Solutions at WestRock

2021-23

Coming out of university, I was so happy to find myself in a role which supported the replacement of plastic solutions and also gave me access to the wide breadths of the industry. It was an honour to work with a diverse range of customers, tailoring solutions and being creative in finding innovations within existing systems. I learned a lot of the tricks the industry uses to save materials, space and time. I was most intrigued in the cases where we use more material upfront to save in the long run. This experience enriched my knowledge in automation, design development, production & testing equipment, industry intricacies and project management.


My past employer, WestRock, was a major sponsor of the Paperboard Packaging Alliance’s Student Design Competition - where each year teams go blue sky with innovative paper packaging solutions. Creativity in sustainability is an asset with the judges and my dedication to exploring every facet for such within my entries certainly helped them deserve their acclaim. When we won the first year our design was an educational toolkit about recycling and the sustainability of paper products, made to be ready to ship to grade 3-5 classrooms, even using the shipping labels to secure the booklet section to the glue-less structure. Even the game components were easily replicable with a photocopier - a teachers favourite tool.

In the year after our entry was less focused on sustainability as we prioritized accessibility and majic (spelt like Bajic ;) in an intricate story-building experience. You can see more here. We did however continue with a glue-less theme, this time 100% - and to keep the majic going without having a charity hand assemble packages for all kids partaking in the virtual birthday party, we made an Augmented Reality version of the map component.

During the same year of this entry, I supported many others as the VP of Competitions within my university student group dedicated to packaging. Encouraging my peers to explore their potential by hosting prototyping labs, engaging discussion and expanding options by sharing experience and resources (such as remotely sharing the ArtiosCAD license the university graciously let me borrow - there really isn't good learning materials online but together we got to make cool rendered animations of our designs being assembled!)


The entire package just missing the shipping label which would wrap over with existing slide lock to keep it secured. Given a second chance I would add a recess in the main compartment so that the edges of the pages would be better protected in shipment. This was the first proper prototype we were able to make due to the pandemic, here you can see how we continued the brand throughout the pack and how the triangle boxes work, with the glue-less form function on the outside definitely encouraging the curiosity to take it apart and put it together again.
This is a render showing the booklet and how the pieces fit together in their compartment. <br> <br> Due to the pandemic limiting resources, I had to teach myself how to visually render our design. Using TinkerCAD and Adobe Dimension, I think I did pretty well. This is a render showing the last page of the booklet intended to make learning about the sustainability of paperboard fun, the second spread details what is in the main compartment (the three packaged paper games and the two tree planters) as well as a QR code to more resources. <br> <br> Due to the pandemic limiting resources, I had to teach myself how to visually render our design. Using TinkerCAD and Adobe Dimension, I think I did pretty well. This is a render showing one of the games we included, this one is a puzzle about the paper life cycle and when completed right it forms an image. These games were designed to be easily duplicated with a photocopier. <br> <br> Due to the pandemic limiting resources, I had to teach myself how to visually render our design. Using TinkerCAD and Adobe Dimension, I think I did pretty well.

TICCIT Education Crate - 1st Place PPA SDC

2020

Following the accordion booklet of information, acting as a lid for this pack, is the main compartment. Designed to feel like a treasure crate shaped in the brand’s logo, containing three smaller glue-less triangular boxes, an assembled sapling carton, and an additional unassembled sampling carton. Within the triangular boxes we provided three unique and interactive activities that keep 8-11 year old students learning and having fun.

Our design included single sided printing to optimise production time and costs, glue-less structures to enhance sustainability, entirely paperboard (including the games within which are easy to scan and duplicate for the classroom) and ready to ship, using shipping labels to bind and secure.

This project was my introduction to ArtiosCAD, this a graphic showcasing the collective contents of our design using renders I made in Artios
A shot of the campus plotter table cutting out multiple variants of a student design to support their process In my role I discovered our program had access to ArtiosCAD even when it wasn't a part of the curriculum. It is the leading packaging CAD software which is far too expensive to be accessible outside of the industry, especially as a student trying to learn. I fought for personal access remotely using my VP role and my home computer, making sure to share the opportunity with anyone interested. This is an ArtiosCAD render made by a fellow student This is a render made in Blender by a fellow student for the PPA competition, this design is intended to be a welcome package for a women's shelter, containing essentials and some heart
The Instagram post introducing the public to my role in the packaging group With little to no instructional material on navigating ArtiosCAD, it was truly a challenge to configure our designs, and the patience for rendering animations for hours on my brother's gamer PC just to find a fault I would have to correct and repeat the whole process The Instagram post announcing the main packaging competition in which I participated and managed other student teams entries, supporting them with producing prototypes and discussions to further their designs

Adventure Club Party Box & MetPack VP

2021

Determined to try new technologies and techniques to exceed the capabilities demonstrated when we won the year prior, I taught myself how to draw, render and animate in ArtiosCAD, how to design pop-up structures as well as creating Augmented Reality experiences via Adobe Aero. To enhance the educational value and handle the intricacies of our ambitious glue-less design, we welcomed a mentee to our team, enriching our collaborative effort to deliver our full vision.

Being the VP of Competitions at TorontoMU's Packaging student group has given me the opportunity to facilitate packaging competitions for GCM students including Corrugami Logo Challenge, Egg Drop, PPA Student Design Challenge 2021 and initializing plans for an internal competition. Throughout the year I have hosted workshops and 1-on-1 meetings to help develop the students skills and their competition entries.