Dr Johannes Bergmair, General Secretary of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), discusses the expanded partnership between interpack and the WPO, which was formalised in 2024. He highlights the Safe Food Initiative as a key collaborative project, emphasising the role of packaging in reducing food waste globally. Bergmair shares insights from the World Global Packaging Awards 2026, which saw 234 winners from 36 countries, noting that recyclability has become a baseline requirement rather than a special feature. He addresses the industry’s communication challenges, explaining how packaging is often misunderstood as a problem rather than a solution for food preservation and sustainability. The conversation covers the transition towards a circular economy, the impact of European regulations such as the PPWR, and the need for stronger industry advocacy. #interpack #packaging #sustainability #worldpackagingorganisation #recyclability #foodwaste #circulareconomy #packaginginnovation #WPO #packagingindustry