At the AIM Conference Center, Paperception 2025 gathered people from the creative industry, education, and business to look at one big question: how can sustainability be part of everyday practice? The event, hosted by Prestige Paper Products, didn’t rely on glossy promises. Instead, it used paper itself as a starting point: a reminder that ordinary materials can carry extraordinary meaning when used with care. From panel discussions to research presentations, the conversation moved between practical solutions and bigger cultural shifts. What stood out was the way creativity and responsibility kept overlapping. Here are five takeaways from the day.

1. Sustainability Shapes the Creative Process

Panelists explained that sustainable design is not an obstacle but a different way of approaching work. When material sourcing or waste reduction becomes part of the brief, the challenge often leads to more inventive outcomes. As Havas Ortega’s Jos Ortega put it, sustainability elevates design by adding purpose to every choice, from the look of the packaging to the story it tells.

2. Eco-Friendly Materials Are Becoming Real Options

The Department of Science and Technology presented research into pineapple fibers and biodegradable alternatives that could replace single-use packaging. For designers and manufacturers, it showed that practical substitutes are available and can be scaled for everyday use.

3. Students Are Ready to Contribute

Educators from Benilde, San Beda, National University, and Mint College spoke about how sustainability is being integrated into classrooms. Students are learning to think about the life cycle of products, from carbon footprint to recyclability. Educators emphasized that students are already building the skills and ideas needed for sustainability work. What they often lack are opportunities to apply these in real-world settings, and this is where collaboration with industry becomes crucial.

4. Costs Remain a Challenge, But Benefits Add Up

One recurring theme was the tension between innovation and affordability. Sustainable materials and practices often cost more at the start, and not every company can make the shift overnight. Yet panelists stressed that long-term benefits such as consumer trust, reduced waste, and a healthier supply chain make the investment worthwhile.

5. Local Action Tied to Global Goals

Discussions connected back to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, linking local projects with global benchmarks. By aligning creative work with these standards, businesses and schools could measure progress in concrete ways. It reminded participants that sustainability in design is not just a trend, but part of a larger international movement.

Paperception 2025 offered a clear picture of how creativity and sustainability are already working hand in hand. From classrooms to boardrooms, the shift is happening in real, practical steps. The event showed that progress is less about grand declarations and more about everyday choices that slowly build toward a more responsible future.