Sept 30 – Oct 2 | Chicago, IL
Further & Faster Carbon Reduction with better packaging
Thank you to our SPC Advance attendees! With almost 600 other participants, we opened the event by exploring the hope and leadership needed to guide our journey to a more sustainable future. We discussed that journey’s roadblocks, and challenges—but we never lost sight the end point of our work: addressing the climate crisis.
Thanks to participation from SPC members, we heard thought-provoking presentations, where we heard common themes on; data-driven solutions, climate change, reduction, authenticity, building trust, responsibility, change, and of course, innovation, packaging design, policy, and education.
We hope SPC Advance provided new actionable takeaways, strengthened connections, and a renewed sense of hope and purpose to move Further and Faster on carbon reduction with better packaging.
Speaker Spotlight
Event Highlights
Tours
Chicago Architecture Tour: A Walk Through Time
We experienced the city’s architectural history by viewing buildings in chronological order, from early skyscrapers to new supertall high rises. On this tour, attendees learned about the city’s beginnings on the Chicago River, its rebirth after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and its development into a commercial and cultural hub, all while viewing structures in the order they were built. These buildings—including the Page Brothers Building, Old Dearborn Bank, the Chicago Motor Club, the Carbide and Carbon Building, NBC Tower and more—tell the story of how architectural technology evolved over time.
Must-See Chicago Walking Tour
This tour featured some of Chicago’s most famous buildings, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Willis (Sears) Tower, and more! Attendees got a brief overview of more than a dozen buildings—as well as Chicago landmarks like Millennium Park, the Loop and the Chicago River—on this whirlwind tour.
LanzaTech HQ
LanzaTech’s carbon recycling technology is like retrofitting a brewery onto an emission source like a steel mill or a landfill site, but instead of using sugars and yeast to make beer, pollution is converted by bacteria to fuels and chemicals! Come find out first hand what future is possible today with LanzaTech technology.
The Plant
Bubbly Dynamics (owner and operator of The Plant) showcased how projects within the building repurpose what’s conventionally considered waste into a valuable products. Attendees learned how businesses at The Plant collaborate and are creative about repurposing materials, bringing good use to what would ordinarily be considered waste, going beyond fair-trade to “relationship-based”, and creating hyper-local products. The systems that are in play at The Plant were tangible; giving attendees the opportunity to apply what they’ll see here into their own personal and professional life.
Intelligentsia Coffee
Attendees enjoyed our inaugural tour inside Intelligentsia Coffees brand new roasting facility, Chicago’s very own pioneer of the specialty coffee movement freshly roasting for over 28 years. We learned how coffee turns from green (from over 19 countries) to freshly roasted and ready to be delivered.
Evening Socials
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Hosted by Sappi, this SPC Avance Evening Social took place at Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago, The World’s Largest Starbucks. Attendees enjoyed inspired cocktails, tasty bites, and networking with your fellow attendees!
Port Orleans Brewery Sponsored by UPM Raflatac
Hosted by Amcor, SPC Advance’s Evening Social took place at Ravinia Brewing. Distinctive beers crafted from thoughtfully sourced ingredients were enjoyed, with Mexican street food featuring hand-pressed tortillas and tacos for every palate. Attendees experienced the iconic Brunswick Triple Arch bar, had fun on the window swings and explored the hidden beer garden whilst networking with fellow attendees.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
