hen I think about where our industry is headed, one word comes to mind: opportunity. The opportunity to come together, shape our future and lead on one of the most important topics of our time — sustainability. It’s a conversation that continues to evolve, and at IAPD, we are making sure we’re not just part of the dialogue, but at the forefront of it.

As President of IAPD, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand how passionate and engaged our member companies are when it comes to sustainability. It’s clear that the performance plastics industry has a compelling story to tell. We make products that are designed to last, enable critical applications and contribute to circular economies in ways that aren’t always obvious at first glance. Now it’s time we make that story known.

We officially launched the IAPD Sustainability Task Force at the beginning of this year. This task force brings together thought leaders from across our industry, representing manufacturers, distributors, resin manufacturers and fabricators who all share a common goal — taking sustainability to the next level for performance plastics.

Before we even held our first meeting, we made it a point to listen. At the 2024 IAPD Leadership Development Conference, we gathered input from IAPD’s volunteer leaders, and we followed that with a member-wide survey of member company leaders. We asked our members to tell us what mattered most, where they saw opportunities and where they needed help. It took some persistence (two rounds of surveys, in fact!), but we got the feedback needed to establish clear priorities for the task force.

The result? A focused agenda with four key priorities:

1. Promotion of Recycling and the Circular Economy – including recycling infrastructure, product design for recyclability and consumer education.
2. Education and Collaboration – fostering industry-wide training, public awareness campaigns and knowledge-sharing platforms.
3. Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing – building structured collaboration between manufacturers and distributors and creating a common language for sustainability initiatives.
4. Storytelling & Awareness – crafting compelling narratives that showcase the longevity, critical applications and environmental stewardship of performance plastics.

The first resource launched by the task force was the Recycling Performance Plastics: Best Practices. In just five pages this guide outlines high-level recycling goals, how to begin recycling or improve your program, guidance on collections, labeling and freight; as well as guidance for those who do not have a local recycler. Complete with pro tips from industry experts with first-hand experience and visual aids, this resource is a valuable tool available to all IAPD members in the Member Resource Hub of IAPD’s website.

The second resource is a searchable directory of recyclers and manufacturers accepting returned polymers on IAPD’s website. This dynamic tool gives members the ability to search for recyclers in the US based on location. Details on what materials are accepted, a process description (mechanical, chemical/advanced or waste-to-energy) and contact details are all cataloged here for easy access. With a recently expanded search radius, the Recyclers Directory streamlines the process of connecting with recycling partners.

Today, the broader conversation about sustainability goes well beyond single-use plastics. The focus is increasingly on fossil fuels and petroleum-based products in general, and that includes us. It’s not enough to say, “We’re not single-use plastics.” Our stakeholders — whether they’re end users, lawmakers or the public — want to know what we are doing to make a difference. That’s why we’re shifting the focus from what we are not to who we are — and all the good that we bring to the table.

Our materials are durable. They extend product life cycles. They are used in critical applications from healthcare to transportation to renewable energy. In many of these applications, performance plastics are more desirable alternative to metals, glass or wood, requiring less maintenance and reducing weights. They are often recyclable, and many of our members are innovating in ways that close the loop. That’s the story we need to tell, and the task force is already working on tools to help us tell it. We also need to share our story to the end-use customer, not just legislators and regulators.

Of course, the Sustainability Task Force isn’t working in a vacuum. IAPD’s Environmental Committee continues to be a key driver in delivering education and resources for our members. Over the past year, the committee has .expanded its focus to address not just environmental practices, but also broader ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) issues that matter to our stakeholders and customers.

One of the most exciting developments in 2025 is the continued growth of the Sustainability Champions Program. This program gives IAPD members a platform to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. It’s a way for member companies to stand out, whether they’re engaging customers, attracting new talent or strengthening their brand within their communities.

Sustainability Champions play a vital role in supporting IAPD’s educational programs, including webinars, live convention sessions and new resources focused on advanced recycling technologies, mechanical recycling and ESG best practices. In 2025, we’re aiming to expand our content, integrate ESG FAQs on our website and increase participation in the Environmental Excellence Award program. These initiatives are all designed to help members stay informed, stay competitive and make a measurable impact.

Looking ahead, we have big plans for the year. One of the projects I’m particularly excited about is the expansion of the IAPD Source Guide to include a dedicated section on recycled product offerings from our members. This is a practical step toward raising awareness and building a stronger market for recycled materials.

We’re also exploring the development of infographics and storytelling tools that members can use to share the sustainability benefits of their products. We want to make it easier for companies to communicate complex sustainability data in ways that resonate with customers and decision-makers.

Collaboration remains a top priority. Our task force members are looking at ways to facilitate better connections between manufacturers, distributors, recyclers and waste management companies. We know the challenges are real — whether it’s logistics, competition or inconsistent recycling infrastructure — but by working together, we can overcome them.

I encourage all IAPD members to continue engaging in sustainability and recycling best practices. Join the conversations happening through the Sustainability Task Force and Environmental Committee. Get involved with the Sustainability Champions Program. And most importantly, share your sustainability journey with IAPD. Whether it’s a new product design that reduces waste, an innovative recycling partnership or a successful community initiative, your story matters — and it can inspire others.

Thank you for your commitment to sustainability and thank you for being part of IAPD’s mission to expand the market for performance plastics through collaboration, education and a shared commitment to sustainability.