I want you to meet some people.
They’re the scientists, engineers, designers, technicians, innovators, and others who are leading sustainable change throughout our nation’s plastics industry.
These dedicated and passionate individuals are finding new ways to make plastics lighter, stronger, more efficient… and more recyclable. To keep plastics in our economy and out of our oceans and rivers. And to create the innovative products we all need to build a more sustainable future.
They bring America’s Plastics Makers’ tagline to life: “making sustainable change.”
We call them America’s Change Makers. And we’re sharing their stories, all of which have a common element: a personal desire to create a better future for loved ones and generations to come.
They’re working to solve some of the world’s toughest sustainability challenges, such as dramatically increasing the types and amounts of plastics that can be recycled and reducing energy use and carbon emissions. By linking innovation with sustainability, America’s Change Makers are changing the way plastics are made, used, and remade.
Here are two of America’s Change Makers: Natalie and Kait.
Meet Natalie: The Finder
- Growing up, Natalie had no idea that a career in plastics sustainability was in the cards.
“My sister and I were the first in our family to go to college.”
After she graduated from college, Natalie found her way to ExxonMobil, where she started her career as a materials engineer. But as she rose through the ranks, ExxonMobil’s efforts in sustainability piqued her interest. She wanted to be part of the team shaping the future of plastic recycling.
"I expressed to management that I’d like to be a part of improving sustainable solutions in our industry. Over time, this role opened up as our company started looking at advanced recycling, started seeing that as a valuable solution and started looking for people who could help support this new business.”
Now Natalie works in advanced recycling at ExxonMobil, where she finds used plastics that can be broken down and made into new products.
Meet Kait: The Environmentalist
- Growing up on 12 acres near Kent State University in Ohio, Kait’s family practiced diehard conservationism—principles that still drive her today. “
"I like the idea of becoming more sustainable. I personally compost and try to find alternative ways of becoming more self-sufficient, more stable on our own.”
She understands that her generation must take a stand for future generations.
"If my generation can start changing our frame of reference and start providing more for future generations than taking away from them, I believe that’s a really important stand that a lot of us need to start taking.”
Kait brings her lifelong passion for sustainability to her role as technical service representative at Covestro, where she works on creating innovative plastics to help customers save energy and become more sustainable.
We’ll be sharing more stories like these. While America’s Change Makers reveals the work of a small number of professionals, they represent the thousands of talented people who make plastics and share a passion for innovation and sustainability.
In the coming weeks and months, you can see and hear more stories on our social media channels (be sure to follow @plasticmakers) and elsewhere online. Also, be sure to check out America’s Change Makers on our website.
This is a great industry that’s making sustainable change. I hope you’ll share these stories of America’s Change Makers.
Click here to see and hear America’s Change Makers.
