PLASTICS: Focusing and refocusing on sustainability
Given that plastics are the sustainable choice for so many applications in so many industries, sustainability has long been a priority for the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). With industry in general becoming more and more interested in the idea, PLASTICS has been ramping up its efforts in the sustainability arena in recent years, including creating the new position of VP for sustainability, to focus brainpower and resources on sustainability initiatives.
Today, sustainability is an important part of business plans in industries across the board. That’s why PLASTICS’ sustainability initiatives include the annual Re|focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit — a three-day conference during which dozens of expert speakers help attendees learn about the latest trends in sustainability and how to put sustainable practices in place at their companies.
It’s not just for plastics companies. Re|focus is for any company the plastics industry serves, and any company that uses plastics materials and wants to do so responsibly.
Toward a sustainable future
The 2022 Re|focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit took place in Cincinnati in May and the sessions started off with a look at the association’s sustainability vision, provided in remarks by PLASTICS’ CEO, Matt Seaholm, and a keynote address by Patrick Krieger, PLASTICS’ VP for sustainability. Seaholm and Krieger set the stage for a compelling series of sessions. Attendees could choose one of three tracks:
Sustainable Manufacturing: Sessions focused on actionable strategies that can be applied to improving sustainability in manufacturing, including advanced recycling technologies, the use of alternative materials and how to integrate recycled content into products.
Sustainable Business: In-depth discussions on topics such as diversity, equity and inclusion; environmental, social and corporate governance; investing; and mitigating climate change through strategies such as climate credits.
Operation Clean Sweep: Rooted in the principles of PLASTICS’ Operation Clean Sweep program, these sessions explored best practices and solutions that aid in the reduction of resin loss during the production of pellets, as well as the transportation and processing of plastic material.
The topics explored across the three tracks included an exceptional range of subjects focused on how companies and the people within them can step up and make sustainability a reality. Attendees also heard from companies that are working together, combining their strengths to make good things happen for the environment.
The entire sustainability spectrum
Because PLASTICS is the only trade organization representing companies from all points in the plastics value chain, there was content available focused on sustainability in the worlds of equipment, materials, materials processing and more.
No aspect of sustainability was left undiscussed. Not only were manufacturing and resin handling emphasized, speakers also explored such topics as how to communicate in a way that avoids greenwashing and how diversity, equity and inclusion plays a role in a sustainability mindset.
Join the sustainability journey
With new leadership recently put in place at PLASTICS, and Krieger leading the association’s sustainability endeavors, the stage is set for incredible, sustainable growth across the plastic value chain and throughout the industries plastics serve.
If you’ve never been to the Re|focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit, follow PLASTICS on social media so you’ll know when the next summit is happening. Start following now and stay up to date on all the other sustainability opportunities PLASTICS will be offering throughout the year.