Across the UK manufacturing industry, including the packaging sector, women make up just 28–29% of the workforce (2024–25), with representation in senior roles remaining limited. Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, the leading women of Go-Pak Group are challenging the sector to accelerate circular innovation and inspire the next generation through practical skills and scalable solutions.
We speak with Erin McMahon Ansell, supply chain project leader and Celeste Ellis, marketing manager, as they discuss how placing sustainability at the heart of their roles enables them to drive meaningful contributions to global challenges and tackle pressing issues across the packaging sector.
Turning circularity into operational reality
Since joining the business in January 2024 as a supply chain executive and project manager, Erin has rapidly grown through the ranks. Now leading a team of four and managing six key suppliers, she delivers complex, cross-business initiatives that strengthen both operational performance and environmental responsibility.
At the centre of her achievements is her leadership in establishing Go-Pak’s old corrugated cardboard (OCC) closed-loop recycling system, Go-Recycle.
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.”
By the time Go-Recycle was launched to market, 2577 tonnes of OCC had been exported for recycling, filling 124 containers that would otherwise have returned to Asia empty. This improved container utilisation, reduced waste and embedded a scalable circular pathway within an existing global logistics network.
Go-Recycle has since become an established and expanding part of Go-Pak’s sustainability offering.
Working across integrated departments, Celeste Ellis, is global marketing manager for Go-Pak and noted that it’s her job to communicate the vision of the business to its partners in a way that cannot be ignored.
“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.”
Alongside Go-Recycle, Erin continues to lead high-value supply chain and efficiency projects, consistently championing solutions that reduce waste, improve resource use and build long-term resilience into 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.” She says flexible working and advocacy around autonomy is core to how the business is shaping industry talent.
Erin has played an important role in helping translate sustainability ambitions into practical operating models that teams and partners can implement with confidence.
Championing women in sustainable careers
Erin and Celeste emphasise that Go-Pak actively nurtures female talent and leadership. Flexible working, mentorship, and visible role models are central to encouraging women into packaging, particularly in technical and operational roles.
As a full-time working mum, Celeste said flexible working and advocacy around autonomy is core to how the business is shaping industry talent: “Many women are drawn to sectors where they can make measurable impact,” she said.
“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 team also connects sustainability to wider societal impact. For example, after severe flooding in Central Vietnam, Go-Pak Vietnam supported local authorities to raise 120 million VND for 240 affected households, showing its commitment to the communities where it operates. operate.
To be involved in meaningful projects such as this proves Go-Pak’s belief in operational excellence and environmental responsibility as well as a commitment to social action.
“At Go-Pak, sustainability kills 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.”