The End of Plastic As We Know It

Empowering NZ businesses and acting on plastic:
We are in the middle of a worldwide movement away from the waste and pollution of discarding fossil fuel-derived plastics. It is having profound impacts throughout every business and sector. This is an exciting time of innovation, where opportunities await those getting ahead of the curve.

New Zealand's relative remoteness and small scale provide unique challenges, yet our internationally heralded innovations make huge waves. We have the opportunity to lead the world. This is especially true with regards to new materials development and packaging use.

The Sustainable Business Network is hosting this special event. Together business leaders and experts will take an in-depth look at this issue. We will explore what it means for your business and for sustainable business in New Zealand.

The day will provide you with the practical information and inspiration you need to thrive in the emerging low carbon circular economy. We will touch on design, science, practical and creative solutions both to stepping away from - and creatively incorporating - plastics. Unrivalled networking opportunities will give you the system-wide connections you need to succeed.

The speakers are leaders in plastics innovation and the circular economy. They include:
Phil Somerville – former Hollywood stuntman, in 2018 Phil sailed across the Pacific Ocean to raise awareness about plastic pollution. Phil is an environmentalist, actor, sailor and philanthropist. His Pacific expedition gathered data on ocean-based microplastics, often in remote locations, while filming a documentary called Eat Less Plastic.

- Minister Eugenie Sage - Minister for Conservation and Associate Minister for the Environment
- David Trubridge – renowned NZ furniture and lighting designer.
- Barbara Nebel - CEO thinkstep Australasia
- Brianne West - Entrepreneur and biochemist
- Professor Juliet Gerrard - Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor
- Dr Florian Graichen - Science Leader for Scion’s circular bioeconomy science and innovation
- Rui Peng - Director and Founder of Critical Things, a social enterprise focused on environmental sustainability through waste reduction
- Nada Piatek – Founder of Again Again
- Peter Thorne - General Manager Business Development of Reclaim
- Kelly McClean - Sustainable Packaging Project Manager of Foodstuffs
- Kath Dewar - Founder of GoodSense, an ethical marketing company
- Louise Nash - Founder of Circularity, and former Chief Strategy Officer
- Rachel Brown ONZM, CEO Sustainable Business Network. The founder of SBN, Rachel has played a critical role in advancing sustainable business for 20 years.
- James Griffin, General Manager Projects and Advisory, Sustainable Business Network.

Tickets include:
Early-morning guided walk to the opening of the conference. This will feature stories and history of a precious resource now hidden under Auckland’s city infrastructure: the once-sustaining waterways of Tamaki Makaurau.

The day's catering.