Daniel Daggett

The right packaging can make a big difference in sustainability gains by extending shelf life of perishable food. Sealed Air works to innovate in fresh food packaging, and Daniel Daggett, director of product stewardship and sustainability for the company, will discuss aspects of food safety and packaging at Focal Point 2014 on October 14 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Dan will present "Food Waste: Science, Solutions, and Perceptions." Ahead of the conference we asked Dan about Sealed Air's food packaging solutions and his own career track that took him from work as a state toxicologist to his current job in sustainability.    

  

Early registration deadline is Friday, just two days away. Register now for $180 (save $70 off full registration).

  

WIST: Sealed Air is best known for Bubble Wrap cushioning film but can you tell us about some of your products and innovation in performance-based food packaging?

Daniel Daggett: While we may be best known for the iconic Bubble Wrap brand, Sealed Air is a diverse company with about 25,000 employees, sales in 175 countries and $7.7 billion in revenue. The company has three main divisions, Product Care, Food Care, and Diversey Care. Our portfolio of widely recognized brands, includes Cryovac food packaging solutions, Bubble Wrap cushioning and Diversey cleaning and hygiene solutions. Food packaging is provided by our Food Care division, which serves food and beverage processors predominately in fresh red meat, smoked and processed meats...

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WIST: Sealed Air's VP of Sustainability has committed to reducing food waste. Can you briefly describe some of the initiatives underway to help meet this commitment?

Daniel Daggett: Food waste is a significant problem that touches all aspects of sustainability; environmental, social, and economic. At least 40% of food produced around the world is wasted before it's eaten. However, it's a problem that can be solved since much of this waste could have been avoided either by food producers, retailers or consumers. Sealed Air is working hard to provide solutions by focusing on the key areas of protection, freshness preservation, portioning, convenience, and monitoring. In terms of protection, obviously ...

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WIST: You have an interesting career track, which has taken you from work as a toxicologist in a regulatory environment for the state of Wisconsin to your current role as a director of product stewardship and sustainability in the private sector. Can you tell us a little about how you made that transition and what drew you to your sustainability work? 

Daniel Daggett: I started out as a Wildlife Management major at UW - Stevens Point, but transitioned to Biology and Chemistry after my freshman year. I was naturally drawn to understanding biological systems, what keeps them thriving and how they can be disrupted by toxicants or pollutants. That led me to UW - Madison, where I earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology while studying the effects of heavy metals on biological systems. Although I had several opportunities to continue laboratory work, I wanted to apply my learnings directly to improving the environment and protecting public health...

  

About Focal Point 2014

 This conference will target the latest challenges and solutions in food and beverage packaging and converting across the value chain. Industry experts will discuss sustainable sourcing of paper, development of specialty packaging materials, end-of-product-life choices.

  

Register online for Focal Point 2014. Early registration is $180 through September 19.

  

For more information about the conference including speaker profiles and presentation previews, visit the conference website.