Lisa Meade: Head of Packaging at Kingfisher Group

With a strong bias towards integrating technical knowledge with consumer insights, operational constraints and customer requirements, Lisa has developed numerous global solutions for many of Britain's much-loved brands.

During her 24-year tenure with P&G, Lisa worked across multiple beauty platforms including Personal Cleansing and Cosmetics. She was the regional R&D Package Development leader for Skin Care, the Global packaging strategy owner for the Olay Total Effects brand and the high viscosity dispensing lead, driving strategy, use and collaboration. At Britvic, Lisa was a Senior Innovation Leader, leading new bottle development work on the Robinsons brand as well as being Chair of the Packaging Council. For Waitrose, sitting in the Own Brand and Innovation team, Lisa looked after multiple categories including Produce, Horticulture, Bakery and the broad Beer, Wine & Spirits category.

Collaboration and Shared Commitment

Looking back at her participation in the recent collaborative group, Lisa noted one of the most significant lessons was that everyone - regardless of whether the participants were in food, non-food, academia, or packaging production - was united by the common spirit of doing the right thing for the environment and for the industry. She observed that, over the past decade, the language used to discuss sustainability has grown more consistent. Terms such as biodegradable and circularity, once applied inconsistently, are now more clearly defined, enabling greater consensus, fostering collaboration, and supporting more effective action.

Futures and Foresight Perspective

The futures and foresight approach gave Lisa a broader perspective on both the challenges and opportunities in packaging. While members shared common aspirations, their perspectives reflected their organisations’ specific priorities. For instance, one organisation’s specific focus on adhesives and chemistry provided insights that, while comparable, differed from those of Kingfisher. These varied viewpoints allowed Lisa to appreciate the similarities and distinctions that drive industry innovation. By drawing on this diversity, she was able to anticipate change proactively rather than simply react - reinforcing once again the importance of foresight in packaging strategy.

Challenges in Packaging Sustainability

The changing legislative environment is one of the significant challenges of sustainable packaging. In the UK and the EU where packaging and packaging waste is regulated by the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and extended producer responsibility (EPR), it may be challenging to coordinate compliance nationwide. Lisa pointed out that there was a need to communicate effectively with consumers to eliminate confusion, but promote effective collection, sorting, and recycling of waste. She believes that consistency in language, using logos, and design of the packs, is the key to circularity in the economy.

Communicating Sustainability to Consumers

Lisa Meade expresses Kingfisher’s sustainability commitments in various ways. The company displays its progress through its Responsible Business Report and on its website. In the context of packaging, the consumer facing communication is incorporated in the design of the pack and logo use, although requirements can differ between countries. Another clear KPI of the business is the removal of non-recyclable plastics and the increased use of mono-materials, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified paper, and recycled content.

Kingfisher enhances transparency and accountability in its packaging sustainability path, reporting on this every year.

The Role of Data in Driving Change

Lisa emphasized that data drives action at Kingfisher. The company employs a high-quality packaging sustainability data application to gather and analyse information on exclusive own brand packaging. This enables the packaging engineers across the business to measure progress, identify opportunities and implement change. In 2023, more than 80% of Kingfisher packaging consisted of cardboard or paper-based materials, showing that the company pays attention to highly recyclable kerbside materials. Integrating sustainability measurements in its activities, Kingfisher makes sure that it will be able to measure its steps towards fulfilment of its objectives.

Balancing Sustainability with Supply Chain Realities

Although Sustainability is the pivotal aspect of the long-term vision of Kingfisher, Lisa admits some businesses may face difficulty in reconciling it with the realities of the supply chain such as cost, availability of materials and functionality. The role of Packaging is to safeguard products in the supply chain, to communicate with consumers and to comply with regulations. The art for packaging engineers is to find this balance and at the same time, eliminate non-recyclable and complicated materials. In the case of Kingfisher, Packaging sustainability goals do not represent a choice but part of consumer confidence and business effectiveness.

Packaging Sustainability as a Core Value

According to Lisa, embedding packaging sustainability in the culture of Kingfisher has been part of the company since its development and is indispensable to its future success. The company is advancing new projects through robust data collection systems, collaboration with industry partners, and clear communication with customers, Kingfisher is establishing itself as a leader in responsible packaging.

Conclusion

Lisa Meade’s insights highlight both the progress and the challenges in sustainable packaging. She emphasizes the importance of cross-industry collaboration, a shared language, and forward-thinking strategies to prepare for future disruptions. At Kingfisher, Packaging sustainability efforts are anchored in measurable data, transparent communication, and direct engagement with customers - driving the company toward circular packaging solutions that balance environmental responsibility with supply chain feasibility. For her, the art of sustainable packaging lies in connecting ambition with action and ensuring that every step contributes to a more sustainable future.