Understanding Sustainability in the Plastics Industry

Written By: Sam Sullivan, Market Manager- Plastics 

Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite buzzword in 2024: sustainability. The term has an alarming number of definitions, but at its core, sustainability initiatives aim to protect our environment, ecosystems, and society. But what does that really mean? Today, we are often faced with the challenge of understanding how we can contribute and participate in a sustainable world. In the US, we encounter a wide range of corporate activities, from companies publicly displaying their CO₂ emission targets to those who simply mention they use reusable cups.

Despite the ongoing efforts being put into plastic chemical and mechanical recycling, achievements in reducing CO2 during manufacturing, and strides made in sustainable product development, we find ourselves in a bitter war against plastics. Education stands as key in this struggle. If you can’t put plastic in your curbside bin, does that mean there is no recycling process available for it?  If vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is undergoing a Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) assessment, does that mean we should stop replacing lead pipes with PVC or get rid of blood bags/gloves in our healthcare settings?

When looking at sustainability from 10,000 feet, the biggest obstacles we encounter are education, availability, and pricing. Every day, new products emerge in the market that claim to offer a lower carbon footprint or bio-based alternative. To truly achieve sustainability, we need robust supply chains coupled with a willingness to pay for a sustainable alternative. It’s no secret that people want to be sustainable until they have to open their wallets. While sustainability is evolving, so are the sources from which people access their information. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to misinformation that is not rooted in scientific fact.
 
It is hard to simplify the vastness of sustainability in a few paragraphs. However, it can be generally placed into three main areas: corporate sustainability, regulatory sustainability, and product sustainability. As a specialty additive distributor, product and regulatory sustainability are key pillars. Partnering with some pretty awesome sustainable partners, Palmer Holland has defined a product portfolio that offers diverse solutions. We showcase materials that are biobased/renewable, reduce your carbon footprint through sustainable processing, aid in recycling, and address regulatory challenges. We are aware of the regulatory pressures surrounding VCM, PFAS, tin, phthalates, etc. Working together to create a more sustainable world and focusing on the importance of plastics will significantly impact our future.
 
Sustainability isn’t simplistic; it is the furthest thing from it, but it is here to stay. The first goal is to make incremental progress. If the ultimate goal is achieving 100% biobased, renewable, or recycled, can we start by getting to 10%? 15%? Let’s start the conversation.
 
Finally, let’s all agree not to be greenwashers.