“Packaging offers opportunities for real impact,” Teresa Vargas Matos

Can you introduce yourself, your role and experience in the packaging industry?

Teresa Vargas Matos - My name is Teresa and I’m the Co-founder and Strategy Manager of Matters To You Studio. My journey started in luxury brand management at INSEEC school in Bordeaux, followed by hands-on experience in cosmetics and eco-friendly packaging at Estee Lauder and WISTADTS. Over these years, I’ve found that packaging offers so much potential—not just for innovation but for real impact. Now with over eight years of experience in the packaging industry, my goal is to help brands transition and take a sustainable approach for the future.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the packaging industry?

Teresa Vargas Matos - It all happened by chance, to be honest. I chose to specialize in the cosmetics industry as part of my Luxury Brand Management studies in Bordeaux, which included research on cosmetics too. When I started working, packaging quickly became a big focus, and I was included on a project around innovative mono-material packaging design—where sustainability played a central role. I was hooked. I’ve always been into branding and aesthetics, and in packaging, I found a way to create real change. Now, it feels like I’m doing something with a purpose, something that can make a difference.

What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a young leader in the packaging industry?

Teresa Vargas Matos - The topic of recycling systems. The recycling systems vary across regions and countries, with no universal standards. This inconsistency creates confusion for consumers and brands, making it difficult to develop packaging that can be universally recycled. The industry hasn’t come up with a clear path that fits each material regarding which type of recyclability process is best or most efficient. Because of this big challenge I think that it is crucial to expand the discussion beyond recyclability and integrate the principles of conscient consumption, reduction and reuse. Sustainability is a very broad concept and it will be difficult to find a silver bullet, so it is important to find a solution in recycling systems but also to guide the industry towards more responsible, energy-efficient, and circular practices that reduce resource consumption, eliminate waste, and give the products multiple lives.

If you could change one thing about the packaging industry, what would it be and why?

Teresa Vargas Matos - The packaging industry often struggles with a knowledge gap regarding sustainable practices. Many brands lack the expertise or resources to implement effective sustainability strategies. This leads brands to take unstructured and unplanned actions on how they can change their packaging to more sustainable solutions. The search for specialized consultancy must be a priority in the investment of brands to design a path with a purpose. It is only possible to do a sustainable transition when brands look at the sustainable approach as a pillar in their business and not as a concept that is being imposed by the market.

How do you see the role of future leaders like yourself in shaping the direction of the industry?

Teresa Vargas Matos - We are a generation that represents the new consumer preferences and brings a natural affinity for digital tools and innovative technologies that can revolutionize packaging design and production. We are not only concerned about sustainability but also about innovation and transparent consumer engagement maintaining authentic sustainability claims and avoiding the risk of greenwashing.

What advice would you give to young professionals who are just starting their careers in packaging?

Teresa Vargas Matos - I would tell them to stay curious and to keep learning and adapting. The packaging industry evolves quickly with the introduction of new materials, designs and technologies influenced by consumer preferences and sustainable regulations, developments and new achievements. Making sustainability a core part of learning while being adaptable and resilient are important focuses to offer valuable insights into the future of the industry.

What does it mean to you to be selected as a Future Leaders?

Teresa Vargas Matos - Being chosen as a Future Leader it’s such an honor and honestly a huge milestone that recognizes all the work I’ve put into pushing for positive changes in the industry in the last years. It also brings a responsibility to use my skills, ideas, and leadership to address the industry’s biggest challenges. Plus, it’s a huge opportunity to get the chance to keep learning directly from today’s industry leaders.