Kickstart: Welcome to Mr. Landes' neighborhood

When Society of Plastics Engineers President Brian Landes launched Antec 2020, it wasn't from behind a podium at a San Antonio hotel, but in front of a brick fireplace at his home.

"Obviously I would've preferred to meet with you in person, but prudence is called for in the midst of the COVID-19 crises. So I welcome you to Antec, and to my home," he said as the virtual edition of Antec got underway March 30 via a livestream available for viewing on YouTube.

It was, Landes said, the first time he ever livestreamed anything, "let alone invited an international group of people to watch it."

"I feel a bit like Mr. Rogers, inviting you behind the curtain of my life and behind the team of SPE and all that the plastics industry has to offer," he said.

The first day of Antec also included a Q&A with Dow CEO Jim Fitterling and Berry CEO Tom Salmon by Plastics News' Editor Don Loepp.
 

PBS' Frontline features plastics and plastic waste — and issues with recycling all that plastic — in a broadcast airing 9 p.m. Eastern today (March 31).

Yes, with all the news going on in the world right now, it may seem strange to talk about plastics and sustainability, a topic that hasn't been at the forefront of discussions recently, but Frontline and NPR said in a news release that the show is the result of a long investigation.

"Frontline and NPR are extensively reporting on the coronavirus outbreak that's sweeping the globe, while remaining deeply committed to covering other important stories and issues," they said.

As Steve Toloken writes, Plastic Wars interviews some unexpected sources.
"Larry Thomas, a former head of the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc., and Lew Freeman, former vice president of government affairs for the group, both show up in roles questioning some of the industry's focus on recycling in the 1980s and 1990s," Steve notes.

This week, the print issue of Plastics News profiled the top 20 Best Places to Work in the plastics industry. We'll be running those profiles (four a day) through this week online.

The top firm, Asaclean-Sun Plastech, has a range of perks for its employees, as Jordan Vitick writes: Bring Your Child to Work Day; casual Fridays; dressing up for Halloween; international food day, where everyone brings in local foods since many employees are from other countries; champagne toasts to celebrate special occasions and milestones; flexible hours and the ability to work from home once per week. The SPI workweek is 35 hours, and employees start between 7-10 a.m. and end between 3-6 p.m.

I think I'm safe in saying that neither your work nor home life are normal these days. Maybe you're stressed trying to boost production of medical equipment, or working to convert lines to supply local doctors, or you're dealing with idled plants.

But I'm not asking how your business is doing, but rather what are you doing to keep your life sane? I've talked to enough company leaders to know that they regularly rely on the benefit of a quiet commute or the stress relief of a daily run. Or just a walk. Or a weekly golf game when the weather allows. (Depending on where you live, golf may be out of the picture. Michigan's "shelter-in-place" order closed golf courses. In Ohio, they're open with appropriate social distancing.)

Personally, I find myself getting up a good 60-90 minutes early so I have time to work out before going to the "the office," which is my spare bedroom. Just as during "normal" times, I feel better after a workout.

What works for you? Finding time to fit in a run? Planning your garden? Stress baking? Taking a break from social media?

Let's share some best practices. Drop an email to me at [email protected] and we can use Kickstart to share some mental health ideas that will help us all cope. Feel free to send it anonymously, if that helps.