Sustainability is a competitive advantage companies can have if they are a leader in that space, says Tom Marting, the director of Sustainable Solutions at HC Companies.

“We all need to be thinking about sustainability because the future will be different than the past,” Marting says.

Plastics are produced from byproducts of petroleum refining, and climate goals necessitate individual and collective reductions in fossil fuel consumption which will result in plastic supply constraints in the long term.

HC Companies, for example, is using sustainable alternative materials such as recycled paper fibers for pots and hanging baskets in their EcoGrow containers, which are 100 percent bio-based. They also utilize wood-derived, cellulose-based compostable materials in their BioPax bioplastic containers.

Robust recycling programs are an aim, too. So how can manufacturers of plastic products encourage recycling?

“I like to use a sports analogy,” Marting says. “I can throw a pass, but I can’t guarantee someone will catch and run across the goal line. While we can design with recyclability in mind, someone has to take responsibility down the value chain and get it to the recycling facility. It is a team effort.”

He envisions a cooperative effort throughout the entire value chain where the horticultural industry can educate consumers about how to recycle and where. HC Companies is doing their part by committing to using increasing amounts of post-consumer recycled plastics and designing products for recyclability.

To improve recycling rates from the consumer end, Marting recommended moving away from labels, which need to be removed during recycling and can make containers difficult to recycle. He also advises growers, wholesalers, and retailers aiming to sort plastics by the standard recycle codes and ensure plastic containers are cleaned and stacked to aid acceptance at local recycling facilities. Unfortunately, not all geographic areas have the same recycling capabilities, so it is important for companies to work with their local recyclers to ensure the plastic products are recovered for recycling.

Learn More About Recycling at HC Companies View the Full Plastics Guide

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