Hello my sustainability and packaging friends!
Remember some time ago I mentioned Dordan joined the Society of Plastics Industry? We thought the real issues facing the industry—plastics pollution, safe chemicals, waste management, etc.—were best tackled as a group. Historically, the plastics industry has not been too uniform when it came to addressing issues concerning the sustainment of the industry at large; this is because the priorities of the plastics supply chain differ greatly: the concerns of a blow molder differ vastly from the concerns of a bag manufacturer. Instances of industry alignment exist, however, including Operation Clean Sweep; but again, this is predominately a priority for resin/pellet suppliers insofar as the are the responsible party when it comes to pledging to maintain a standard of zero-pellet loss.
Things are changing. The recession made the plastics industry more competitive. There were countless M&As. Brands are no longer tasked with simply increasing the profits of its shareholders as now consumers are demanding supply chain transparency—facilitated most dramatically by social media. Corporate social responsibility is becoming a tangible thing, demonstrated through ethical sourcing and “sustainability” goals and manifesting itself daily in advertising and corporate communications. I believe all these happenings have provided the catalyst for industry to recognize the need for proactivity and collaboration. What worked yesterday is not going to work tomorrow—our environment is literally degrading before our eyes, and it is everyone’s responsibility to develop smarter, well, everything. And plastics are integral to this process. I think if industry, government, and environmental actors came to the table with the shared goal of economic, environmental, and social sustainability—for both the industry and the environment (are they not two sides of the same coin!?)—true innovation would transpire. I will get off my soapbox; but first, an example of what I am talking about.
Last week I went to DC to participate in the plastics industry “fly-in”; that is, a bi-annual event where representatives of the industry flock to Capitol Hill to discuss with governmental officials the value of plastics to the economy and society. This was my first SPI event and I was PUMPED!
One of the issues we were debriefed on prior to meeting with our State and local representatives was the recent revisions to the LEED standards for “green building.” According to the SPI, the LEED standards were developed by architects who did not consult with outside stakeholders, like the plastics industry. The SPI argues that the LEED revisions were done so behind closed doors, and it is undetermined how science-based reasoning informed the material favoritism/criticism formula that comprises the point-based system of the Standards. The US Green Building Council—the party responsible for the Standard revisions, argues that due diligence was taken and industry input considered. Sort of like a he said she said thing.
So that happened. Then today I came across a Plastics News article titled “Architects Look to Supply Chain for Input,” which explains how architects want a better relationship with each part of the building and construction supply chain. For Jeffrey Murray—design principal and director with IDC Architects—“The value that suppliers provide on the research side is critical. We’re not scientists.” Click here for the article.
Call me crazy but does this article not 100% contradict the arguments made by the SPI and US Green Building Council? If the construction supply chain is willing to collaborate, why the “controversy” surrounding the LEED green building standards?
Crazy stuff. But you get the point. If all stakeholders are involved in the discussion from day one, smarter systems, which don’t see industry and the environment in opposition but as two sides of the same coin, will develop. Just look at the Global Packaging Project, which called on all stakeholders in the development of a universal standard for assessing and communicating sustainable packaging. This Standard is now THE Standard for quantifying sustainable packaging, trumping the likes of the Walmart Scorecard.
So yea. Washington was super awesome. And that was the main takeaway: that while the plastics industry may not always “win” on every policy front, it at least wants to be invited to the discussion. I can dig on that!
Check out the photos from my trip below!
Pictured: My agenda!
Pictured above, from left to right: Congressman Randy Hultgren (left), Extech CEO, yours truly (center), Blaige Investing CEO, SPI representative (right).
Pictured: cool building!
Pictured: another cool building!
Pictured: the last cool building I photographed before my camera phone died!