The evening began with welcome remarks by Dr. Felix Moesner, Consul and CEO of Swissnex in Japan, setting the stage for an exchange of ideas that transcended national and disciplinary boundaries and introducing the Swissnex for the Planet initiative under which the event was held.

Prof. Dr. Selçuk Yildirim, Deputy Head of the Institute of Food and Beverage Innovation at ZHAW, opened with a presentation on sustainable food packaging. He highlighted the delicate balance between environmental responsibility and food safety, noting the differing packaging practices and standards between Switzerland and Japan. His presentation also drew on key findings from his research residency in Japan, carried out through the ZHAW-Swissnex Staff Mobility Program.

Dr. Shunichi Honda, Programme Officer on Waste and Chemicals at UNEP-IETC, followed with a sharp analysis of global waste management challenges. He emphasized the disparities between high- and low-income countries in waste infrastructure and policy enforcement. His remarks provided valuable context on international negotiations, such as the ongoing UN Plastics Treaty, framing the conversation within a wider regulatory and social justice-oriented discourse. Read his insightful recap of the event (in Japanese) here.

Together, their contributions offered a multi-layered understanding of the packaging problem, from technological innovation and safety to global policy gaps and environmental equity.

Following the presentations, the conversation moved from stage to table during a hands-on workshop designed to foster intercultural exchange, collaborative reflection, and imaginative thinking. Participants, from private companies, government offices, and academic institutions such as Kyoto, Ritsumeikan, and Zurich universities, to independent consultants, designers, journalists, and artists, gathered around tables equipped with various real-world packaging examples. These everyday items served as entry points to larger discussions about the role of design, behaviour, regulation, and innovation in transforming packaging systems.

This participatory format encouraged diverse voices and perspectives, sparking engaging dialogue on issues ranging from consumer habits to international policy frameworks. By thinking beyond recycling, participants collectively envisioned more sustainable futures rooted in systemic change. The event underscored how Swiss innovation and Japanese expertise can converge to tackle global environmental challenges, creating a fertile ground for creative ideas that cross not only disciplines, but also borders.