Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum USA

27th - 28th October 2026

Chicago, USA

Chris Coady

Director of Funder Engagement

The Recycling Partnership

Chris Coady is the Director of Funder Engagement at The Recycling Partnership, where he leads efforts to build and deepen strategic relationships with partners to tackle some of the recycling system’s most complex challenges. He works at the intersection of mission and industry, helping align funding partner priorities with scalable solutions that drive measurable impact across communities nationwide. Chris oversees engagement strategy, stewardship, and partner growth, guiding a team focused on advancing long-term collaboration.

He regularly represents the organization in conversations with industry leaders, partners, and at national forums—highlighting the power of pre-competitive collaboration to accelerate progress. With more than 20 years of experience in project and management and the recycling industry, Chris brings a practical, solutions-oriented perspective to bridging ideas and implementation. His background in both private sector operations and public service, including roles in New York City government, informs his approach to building partnerships that move the system forward.

Chris Coady's sessionsView full agenda

Day 0

Monday 26th October 2026

Time
Session title
Session type
17:00 - 18:00
Day 1

Tuesday 27th October 2026

Time
Session title
Session type
08:45 - 08:55
Welcome words 
Institute of Packaging Professionals
09:15 - 10:00
EPR compliance infrastructure: What do the rules require and what can the market deliver? 
RecycleMe | ALDI USA | Unilever | The Recycling Partnership
Plenary
10:00 - 10:45
Plenary
10:45 - 11:15
11:15 - 11:40
‘Design for recycling’: Why we need more dialogue between upstream and downstream 
Kenvue | Sustainable Packaging Podcast with Cory Connors, presented by Atlantic Packaging
Breakout
11:40 - 12:20
Plenary
12:20 - 12:30
12:30 - 13:30
15:00 - 15:30
15:30 - 16:15
16:15 - 17:00
17:00 - 18:00
Day 2

Wednesday 28th October 2026

Time
Session title
Session type
08:45 - 08:55
08:50 - 09:30
Case study
09:50 - 10:00
10:00 - 10:30
10:30 - 11:10
Reuse at scale: What works, what doesn’t, and pathways forward 
Mastercard | Tomra | Sustainable Packaging Coalition
Plenary
11:10 - 11:50
Circular economy as industrial strategy: How to build stronger value chains and local economies 
Martin Brower | Washington State Department of Commerce | WRAP | PR3
Plenary
12:30 - 13:30
13:30 - 15:00
15:00 - 15:20
Plenary