Sustainable Packaging Innovation: Interview with Rising Industry Leader Teresa Vargas Matos
Recently recognized as part of the prestigious “Future Leaders class of 2025” at Paris Packaging Week, Teresa Vargas Matos is revolutionizing the packaging industry through her role as Co-Founder and Strategy Manager at Matters To You Studio, a forward-thinking branding and sustainable transition agency. In an exclusive interview, she shares her insights on the future of sustainable packaging and her journey in the industry.
From Luxury Brand Management to Sustainable Packaging Pioneer
With her foundation in luxury brand management from INSEEC Bordeaux and valuable experience at industry giants like Estee Lauder and WISTADTS, Matos has accumulated over eight years of expertise in the packaging sector. “Packaging offers immense potential—not just for innovation but for real impact,” she emphasizes, highlighting her commitment to helping brands embrace sustainable transitions.
A Serendipitous Journey into Sustainable Solutions
What started as a specialization in cosmetics during her studies evolved into a passionate pursuit of sustainable packaging solutions. Her pivotal moment came while working on innovative mono-material packaging design projects, where she discovered the perfect intersection of branding, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility.
Addressing Industry Challenges and Future Directions
Matos identifies inconsistent recycling systems across regions as a major industry challenge. “The lack of universal standards creates confusion for both consumers and brands,” she explains. She advocates for expanding beyond recyclability to embrace conscious consumption, reduction, and reuse principles.
Bridging the Sustainability Knowledge Gap
A significant concern Matos addresses is the industry’s knowledge gap in sustainable practices. She emphasizes the importance of specialized consultancy for brands, stating, “Sustainable transition is only possible when brands view sustainability as a fundamental business pillar rather than a market-imposed concept.”
Leading the Next Generation of Packaging Innovation
As a Future Leader, Matos represents a generation that combines environmental consciousness with technological innovation. She advocates for transparent consumer engagement and authentic sustainability claims while avoiding greenwashing. Her advice to emerging professionals? “Stay curious, keep learning, and make sustainability a core part of your expertise.”