From Sept. 19-21, Sonoco FRESH hosted the Food, Packaging & Sustainability Summit on-campus at Clemson to educate the community on sustainable practices.
As stated by Sonoco FRESH, “The FRESH 2022 Food, Packaging & Sustainability Summit will focus on technology as an enabler of circular solutions across the food value chain beginning with food production and packaging and includes strategies to achieve sustainability targets in both corporate and consumer environments.”
The summit itinerary included tours of on-campus facilities, such as the Kite Hill Recycling Center and the Cherry Crossing Research Center, on the first day. The tours were then followed by a keynote presentation, a fireside chat, titled Technology-Enabled Transformations and various presentations throughout the day on sustainability education and awareness.
“The 2022 Food, Packaging & Sustainability Summit – on campus for the first time at Clemson University – focused on strategies to successfully achieve sustainability goals. The commitment and engagement of Summit attendees was extraordinary,” said Anne Barr, the executive director of Sonoco FRESH. 
Along with spreading awareness about sustainability, Sonoco FRESH worked to make its event a zero waste event, meaning that there is a 90% diversion from landfill waste.
“Summit speakers, panels and activities spanned all sectors of the food value chain. Our holistic approach is unique to Sonoco FRESH and allows Clemson to serve as a convener of thought leaders from a broad range of industries and disciplines,” said Barr. 
The event was sold out, and various Clemson professors and representatives spoke at the event, representing the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.
Sonoco FRESH is one of many Clemson initiatives focused on sustainability, and there will be future events targeted towards the community.