More sustainable packaging relies on partnerships, Dow officials say

Peachtree City, Ga. — Customers and consumers are looking for more circular solutions, which can require complex materials management systems and partnerships, according to two speakers from Dow Inc.'s packaging business.

Jennifer Ronk, senior sustainability manager, and Rennisha Wickham, senior marketing manager, spoke about branding sustainability through policy and partnerships at the Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Blow Molding Conference in Peachtree City.

Creating closed-loop systems isn't easy, Ronk said, and extended producer responsibility can play a part.

"EPR needs to be fair and flexible and solve the problem," Ronk said. "We want to make sure that materials aren't subsidizing each other. We want to make sure that these are producer-managed organizations, that it's not money that's going into some government pot for them to do whatever they think is important that week."

Ronk said EPR should be focused on fixing the recycling system. Ten states saw packaging EPR bills introduced in 2024, and five bills have passed. Ronk expects that number to continue to grow.

There is also a growing need for reuse and refill, since California's EPR program has specific plastic reduction and reuse and refill goals. This has led to a growing interest from other states.

"One of the reasons that I'm talking about that today is I think plastics are durable and long lasting, and there might be some interesting opportunities for all of us if we think, 'What can we make?'" Ronk said. "Because we're already making things that are durable and reusable. What new things can we do to help our customers in this reuse refill space?"

Ronk sees a need for more chemical recycling and wants the government to recognize this practice as recycling. Currently, 25 states recognize chemical recycling as either a manufacturing process or have adopted legislation that recycling companies must be transparent with this process. Ronk acknowledges that there are states that want nothing to do with chemical recycling.

Getting involved with organizations such as the Plastics Industry Association, American Chemistry Council or the Recycling Partnership can help people within the industry either voice their opinions or learn more about driving circularity through policy.

Wickham discussed Dow's packaging innovation center, Impact Studios, which customers can visit to understand what opportunities there are and the challenges the options come with. Dow then works with the customers to deliver the best solution on a personal basis.

The company has Revoloop recycled plastic resins that help reduce carbon footprints through consistent processability, lower CO2 emissions and single inventory management.

"The key here is that it's been developed for certain application spaces, so that way you can easily drop it in," Wickham said. "You know that the quality is going to be consistent. You know the reliability is going to be there, and you know that it'll be trusted by and backed by Dow."

Dow is pushing to be closed loop by 2035 with 100 percent of Dow products sold into packaging applications to be reused or recycled. By 2030, Dow will be transforming plastic waste and alternative feedstock to commercialize 3 million metric tons of circular and renewable options.

Another 2030 goal for the company is to reduce its net carbon emissions by 5 million metric tons, which is a 15 percent reduction from Dow's 2020 baseline. Dow plans to be carbon neutral by 2050.