Outpost's Sustainability & Packaging Journey Sparks Meaningful Discussion on EPR
By Jessy Servi Ortiz
On September 25, Sustainable Business Council members gathered for a Sustainable Business Roundtable featuring Outpost Natural Foods Co-op’s sustainability and packaging journey. Sustainability, quality, and compliance professionals came together to learn from Outpost and discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities surrounding sustainable packaging.
Outpost shared how it approaches packaging decisions and sustainability priorities while balancing environmental goals, customer expectations, operational needs, and cost. Attendees gained a firsthand look at the complexities of reducing packaging impacts and the importance of considering the full lifecycle of materials in business decisions.
The session became especially valuable as participants openly shared their own experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. What began as a presentation quickly grew into a rich peer-learning exchange, with attendees asking thoughtful questions and comparing strategies being tested within their organizations.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) generated particularly strong interest. Participants welcomed the opportunity to connect with peers navigating emerging EPR requirements and packaging regulations. Milwaukee Tool shared how it is coordinating its response to state-by-state EPR laws with its legal team, while its sustainability team supports preparation and implementation. That example sparked a robust conversation about how organizations are interpreting requirements, assigning internal responsibilities, assessing business impacts, and preparing for change. The exchange reinforced the value of learning from peers as companies develop practical approaches to evolving packaging and waste-reduction expectations.
The energy around EPR underscored the value of SBC’s network. Members appreciated having a trusted space to discuss real-world challenges with peers facing similar questions across industries and organization sizes. Their willingness to share successes, concerns, and lessons learned reflected the collaborative spirit of the SBC community.
As EPR requirements continue to evolve across North America, SBC is exploring additional opportunities for members to learn and connect. Future programming could include peer roundtables, case studies, expert presentations, regulatory updates, and facilitated discussions focused on implementation strategies and business impacts.
The event concluded with an optional tour of Outpost’s sustainability features, including its heat reclamation system, native and edible gardens, and rainwater catchment infrastructure. The tour offered practical examples of how sustainability is integrated into the site’s operations and landscape.
A special thank-you to Outpost Natural Foods Co-op for sharing its sustainability journey and helping facilitate such a thoughtful discussion. The session was a reminder that some of the most valuable sustainability insights emerge from candid conversations among peers working through similar challenges.
Keep the Conversation Going
The enthusiasm around EPR made it clear that organizations want more opportunities to learn from peers, share experiences, and understand how evolving packaging and producer responsibility requirements may affect their businesses.
Would you like SBC to host more discussions on EPR in 2027?
We are considering member roundtables, expert-led workshops, case studies, and peer exchanges focused on packaging sustainability, circular economy strategies, and EPR implementation.
