With a change in leadership, the National Association for PET Container Resources expects to take a higher profile in the face of growing anti-plastic sentiment.
The trade group has transitioned from former Executive Director Rick Moore to Darrel Collier, who has taken over that position.
With the change comes a plan to move beyond an industry focus to include outreach to the general public to share what the two say is the good news about PET.
"One of the things we want to do going forward is having a more public face representing our members, talking about the benefits of PET," Collier said. "We're excited about that. We think it is necessary."
PET, they said, has a good story to tell including its high recycling rates relative to other resins.
"Obviously, we want to ensure that we have a continued license to operate, but more importantly, we also talk about how significantly advantaged PET is," Collier said, from a recyclability perspective.
"That talking to the external world, not just the supply chain ... is going to be a more and more important tool for NAPCOR and its members going forward," he said.
"We think PET has a good message and we just want to be sure there is some balance in that dialogue out there," Moore said. "We think we have to expand that communication to people outside our own little circle."
NAPCOR has 52 company members and is very selective about who can join the trade group. The advocacy group wants to make sure everyone at the table has a clear link to the PET industry and is working to promote the material.
The now-former executive director spent more than five years leading NAPCOR after a 40-year career at Signode Industrial Group. Moore originally retired at age 59, but was wooed back to the workforce by NAPCOR to become its leader.
"While I look forward to my retirement, there are going to be pieces that I will miss. But I'm fortunate because I have a good man that's going to step in and take over that role. Anytime you leave a job, you want to make sure things are in good hands and I firmly believe that is the case," Moore said.
Moore, who lives in northern Kentucky near Cincinnati, plans to spend a lot more time with his young grandchildren with his new-found freedom.
With the change in leadership, NAPCOR's headquarters is transitioning to Charlotte, N.C., to accommodate Collier.
He has been an industry consultant for the past 13 years and prior to that, spent 26 years at DuPont Co.
Details about just how NAPCOR will take a more public-facing approach are being developed, but the men said that move will require an additional financial commitment.
"Our members are willing to make additional investments into this effort. And that excites me. I think that just tells me what a strong membership Rick has built and how they feel about the industry and how they are willing to support it with their precious resources," Collier said.
"We think PET has a good message and we just want to make sure there is some balance to that dialogue out there," Moore said.