Using the Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard to Make Informed Sustainable Food Packaging Choices

The Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard is a science-based online tool to help users select foodware and food packaging that is safe and environmentally sustainable.

The UP Scorecard measures the environmental and health impacts of commonly used foodware and food packaging materials with a single yardstick to offer a free and comprehensive tool for making sustainable purchasing decisions for these products based on the latest available science. Scores are provided for plastic pollution, chemicals of concern, climate, water use, sustainable sourcing, and recoverability. 

The latest version of the UP Scorecard applies an updated chemicals of concern list, provides access to a new interactive user guide, allows users to compare entire portfolios of foodware and packaging products, and includes new materials, containers, and geographic regions.

Learn more about this authoritative resource for businesses and environmental and human health advocates from its host organization, the Food Packaging Forum. Representatives from two organizations using the UP Scorecard will also share their experiences. 

Presenters:

Etienne Cabane, Engagement Director, Food Packaging Forum

Etienne is the Engagement Director at the Food Packaging Forum. He is responsible for creating and supporting opportunities for collaboration and engaging with stakeholders to ensure real impact. He also leads the ongoing development of the Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard. 

Etienne is a learning and engagement specialist with scientific training as a materials scientist. He studied chemistry and materials science at CPE Lyon and the University of New Hampshire and holds a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Basel. After finishing his degree, Etienne completed postdoctoral work at ETH Zurich, where he also built and led an independent research group focused on simple and versatile protocols for functionalizing wood with novel properties. Through his work, Etienne hopes to raise awareness of environmental health issues and drive change.

As Engagement Director at the Food Packaging Forum, Etienne leads the ongoing development of the Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard and connects with stakeholders to encourage implementation. He creates and supports opportunities for collaboration and manages and fosters relationships. Since joining the Food Packaging Forum in 2023, Etienne has redefined the UP Scorecard strategy and successfully reached out to new stakeholders who are now active users. 

Justin Boucher, Operations Director, Food Packaging Forum

An environmental engineer by training, Justin works internationally at the science-policy interface to help stakeholders make better decisions using the latest science on chemicals in products and on the environmental and human health impacts of foodware and packaging. His previous academic research at ETH Zürich focused on modeling the emissions and fate of fluorinated substances in the environment, mapping the life cycles of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and strengthening international science-policy communication. He is a co-author and reviewer of multiple reports for the United Nations Environment Programme on chemicals and waste, has supported scientific discussions within the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the upcoming United Nations plastics treaty, and was the coordinating author of the Springer Nature textbook “Chemical Products and Processes” which teaches the environmentally oriented design of chemical products and processes.

Kira Austin, Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Aramark

Kira is the Sustainable Sourcing Manager for Aramark & Avendra International.   In her role she supports the sourcing goals of Aramark’s global enterprise as well as Avendra’s GPO clients. This includes providing guidance and recommendations on more-sustainable sourcing options, researching and vetting new supplier and product opportunities, and providing client reports on key commodities to measure spend trends from conventional to more preferred products. Kira leads the company’s supplier sustainability engagement programs including the EcoVadis assessment, coordinating internal and external outreach and providing one on one support to suppliers as needed.  She is the Responsible Sourcing Team’s lead on a number of high priority commodities, such as Coffee, Textiles, and Food Service Disposables.  

Kira has been with Aramark for 3 years, with previous tenures at Hyatt Hotels and World Resources Institute (a global research organization).  She holds a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from the University of Delaware and a Masters’ Degree in Sustainability Management from American University.   Her role with Aramark combines her passions for hospitality and sustainability, and through her work she strives to influence and support more responsible purchasing decisions.

Sevrine Bethy, Head of Responsible Sourcing, Sodexo North America

Sevrine Bethy joined Sodexo Group in 2007 as a Quality Manager, where she oversaw the portfolio of suppliers. She quickly began collaborating with the Corporate Responsibility Department on initiatives to enhance the social and environmental impacts of supply chains. Driven by her passion for safeguarding human health and rights and her commitment to conserving resources, she formalized Sodexo's Responsible Sourcing roadmap. This initiative focused on sourcing healthy solutions and ingredients, fostering social equity, and protecting and restoring natural ecosystems.

Currently, she serves as Head of Responsible Sourcing for Sodexo North America, where she supports category managers in making purchasing decisions that prioritize the well-being of people and the planet while safeguarding the company's brand and reputation. Originally from the Caribbean, Sevrine holds an engineering degree specializing in food safety and quality for the food industry.