I Want “More Reducing” to Transform Plastic from What It Was to What It Could Be

At Berry Global, Inc. , we know everyone has the power to create change. This article is part of a series through our More Together initiative highlighting how we can #BMoreTogether by sharing personal passions for sustainability. What’s your More? Click HERE to share why you care about reducing, recycling, reusing, or renewing precious natural resources.

Growing up on a multi-generational farm helps you understand the finite nature of the world and interactions between ecosystems, animals, and insects. I now appreciate what a privilege it is to hold the perspective of nature as a provider of resources that can help humanity. And I understand more than ever that #nature is not something to be taken for granted.

Looking back, I didn’t realize the tremendous amount of re-use and re-purposing we explored as a family and small business - nearly everything we used at home had more than one purpose. Finding grain bags, buckets and containers and coming up with new ways to use them was a fun challenge for my brothers and me.? Over time, our creative feedstock evolved with new materials and a variability in re-use.? And, depending on the weather or yield of the season, you develop a deep respect for what you have, including the #environment.

As I left home for college and subsequently career moves, I kept my appreciation for protecting natural resources and wanted more #reuse and #recycling wherever I lived. Early on, I realized finding ways to recycle is not a common experience and didn’t seem to be a priority in the communities in which I found myself. As a responsible consumer – with reduce, reuse, recycle ingrained in me from Mr. Rogers – this was frustrating.

Fast forward to where I am now: Thankfully I am doing something about it in my own life by teaching my kids about #sustainability and in my role as Berry Global's Vice President of Global Marketing. In 2023, I was lucky enough to attend a one-week immersive course, organized by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) , where I learned the latest facts around #climatechange, the value of business to society, and the benefits of circular, #netzero economy.

This transformative experience helped me better understand the scale and magnitude of how human behavior affects climate change and how we should not treat our finite resources as if they are infinite. It also helped me better appreciate how I could use my role within this global leader in the plastics supply chain to help inspire and influence others to conserve our precious natural resources and lower greenhouse gas emissions through #MoreReducing.

I had so much personal tension in making my move from a purpose-driven healthcare career, where I felt like I was using my strengths to better people’s health, into an industry-sector that people don’t generally feel good about. But in that tension is a real possibility for positive impact.?

The more I become familiar with the business, and as the science and tech around reusing materials and increasing the use of recycled and renewable plastics continue to evolve, I truly feel there isn’t a better time to make an impact in the plastics industry given the potential of what is possible. And let’s face it, marrying what the environment needs and with what consumers want is an exciting career opportunity!

“The more I become familiar with the business – and as the science and tech around reusing materials and increasing the use of recycled and renewable plastics continue to evolve – I truly feel there isn’t a better time to make an impact in the plastics industry given the potential of what is possible.”

There are endless possibilities for strategic functions, like marketers and brand managers, to influence positive change. Regardless of what your function looks like in a #marketing role, you are the keeper of the voice of the product or brand you are managing. And one of your key objectives is ensuring customers trust what your company says and promises.

Marketing also has the authority to use resources, such as time, people, and money, to infuse sustainability throughout the entire life cycle of a product or service—driving responsible growth, increasing brand reputation, and creating a positive end-use experience while minimizing environmental impacts.

Now that I’m more than three years into my role at Berry, having worked with countless sustainability experts inside and outside of the company, I have an incredible amount of confidence that the people in this industry have the right intentions to transform what plastic was to what it can be.

That opportunity – listening to customers, NGOs, employees, partners and helping bring forth the voices of those that unify and care – was my inspiration for our company’s #MoreTogether initiative. Through this effort, our team asks employees, customers and partners to share their personal passions for creating positive change and listens for the next opportunity to act. The proof is in the pudding, and that is only one facet of what it takes to drive #circularity and make our future one I hope for my children and future generations.

What’s your More? Now that I’ve shared mine, I hope you’ll take a moment to share your personal passion for change at https://more.berryglobal.com/.