Women remain underrepresented across UK manufacturing, including the packaging sector, where they account for around 28–29% of the workforce. Representation becomes even more limited at senior levels. Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, female leaders at Go-Pak Group are urging the sector to focus on practical circular solutions while encouraging more women to pursue careers in packaging.
Erin McMahon Ansell, supply chain project leader at Go-Pak, and Celeste Ellis, marketing manager, both see sustainability work as a central part of their roles. Their work reflects a broader effort within the company to address environmental challenges while strengthening supply chain operations.
Ansell joined Go-Pak in January 2024 as a supply chain executive and project manager. Within a year she progressed into a leadership role, now managing a team of four and overseeing relationships with six key suppliers.
A major focus of her work has been the development of Go-Recycle, Go-Pak’s closed-loop system for old corrugated cardboard (OCC). The programme aims to make cardboard recycling more accessible for food and drink businesses while improving the efficiency of international logistics.
Erin said: “Go-Recycle was built around a clear ambition: to make cardboard recycling simpler, more transparent and more accessible for both existing customers and new partners, to effectively close the loop in food and drink packaging.
“The Go-Recycle initiative directly supports the direction of travel under the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which places lifecycle responsibility for packaging waste on producers.
“Early on, the team realised that circularity would only scale if supported by strong operational design and commercial viability. From preliminary research through to full implementation, we created a first-of-its-kind systems led operating model for our UK partners to make it easier for food vendors to recycle their cardboard through international supply chains and deliver measurable commercial impact.”
The initiative makes use of existing global logistics routes. Cardboard collected from UK partners is exported for recycling using shipping containers that would otherwise return to Asia empty.
By the time Go-Recycle launched commercially, the system had already exported 2,577 tonnes of OCC across 124 containers. The approach increased container utilisation and reduced unused freight capacity while creating a circular pathway for cardboard packaging.
The programme has since become a core part of Go-Pak’s environmental strategy. Cross-department collaboration, including marketing and communications, has supported the rollout.
Celeste Ellis, global marketing manager at Go-Pak, works on communicating the company’s direction to partners across the foodservice and retail sectors. She said the aim was to explain the practical benefits of the system at a time when regulatory pressure on packaging is increasing.
“It’s all about creative communication, my role was to story tell via an intelligent video and industry comms that inspired leaders from across the food and retail sectors. With EPR becoming an industry headache for many, and high costs associated with implementation, we wanted to stand out for making this as simple and accessible as possible to clients and future prospects.”
The UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility framework places greater accountability on producers for the lifecycle of packaging waste. For companies across foodservice and retail, this shift is increasing the focus on collection, recycling and materials recovery.
Alongside the Go-Recycle programme, Ansell continues to lead supply chain efficiency initiatives across the business. Many of these projects are focused on reducing waste and improving resource use across packaging supply networks.
Erin said: “Being trusted to deliver a huge campaign like Go-Recycle by Go-Pak has been incredibly motivating, and hopefully this initiative will move the industry towards a more sustainable, closed-loop future that will benefit us all.”
The work reflects a broader shift within the packaging sector as companies adapt to regulatory change and greater scrutiny of materials management. Circular systems that integrate logistics, recycling and supply chain design are receiving increased attention.
Beyond operational changes, Ansell and Ellis both emphasise the importance of encouraging more women into the sector. They say workplace culture, mentorship and flexible working arrangements can play an important role in attracting and retaining talent.
Go-Pak promotes several initiatives aimed at raising the profile of women in packaging careers. Programmes include mentoring opportunities and participation in industry recognition schemes such as the Women in Packaging Excellence Awards.
Ellis said: “Many women are drawn to sectors where they can make measurable impact.
“Go-Pak creates environments that value diverse perspectives, encourages participation, and celebrates achievement through initiatives like Women in Packaging Excellence Awards. Sharing career journeys and offering mentorship builds confidence and career-ready expertise.”
The company also links its environmental work with community engagement in regions where it operates. In Vietnam, Go-Pak supported local authorities following severe flooding in Central Vietnam, helping raise 120 million VND for 240 affected households.
Company representatives say these initiatives reflect a broader commitment to operational responsibility and social contribution.
“At Go-Pak, sustainability skills aren’t just talked about, they’re embedded in action. By tackling industry challenges head-on with female leadership at the forefront, we show that measurable change can be delivered from the inside out, while inspiring the next generation of women to lead in the packaging sector.”
