Jonathan Quinn, Accredo Packaging/API Group | Notable Leaders in Sustainability 2023

Jonathan Quinn's dream growing up was to attend Clemson University and study packaging, "and then be on the commercial side of the flexible packaging industry," he said.

Quinn did just that, graduating from Clemson University with a bachelor's degree in business management and packaging science.

"Every day I get to live out the dream I put down on paper in seventh grade," he said. "Before graduating from Clemson, I did multiple internships. First, I interned with Pregis in Manchester, England, then went on to intern for Scholle Packaging in Breda, Holland, and my last experience was with Pliant Corp."

Quinn previously worked as the director of market development and sustainability for protective packaging maker Pregis and held sales and marketing leadership roles with Nova Chemicals and ITW. He is now the global vice president of marketing and sustainability for Accredo Packaging and API Group in Sugar Land, Texas.

"The opportunity here with Accredo is really to take the organization into its next phase, and that next phase is aggressive growth with sustainability at the forefront," Quinn said in July, when he joined the company. "It's a first-generation, family-owned business, and now is a prime time that they want to further invest — fearlessly and vigorously invest — in growth of the business."

In just a few months, Quinn has developed the AccredoFlex sustainability platform that covers the three R's of Accredo: recyclable, recycled content and renewable.

AccredoFlex Recyclable Packaging Gen2 recyclable films, according to the company's website, "were first to market, helping customers achieve sustainability goals and source reduction through first mover innovation." The fully recyclable PE films can include bio-based or post-consumer content, offer excellent contact clarity and require less energy to produce. End use applications include frozen foods, snacks and baking, beverages, pet food and treats, household cleaning and more.

He is also the founder and co-chair of the Emerging Leadership Council at the Flexible Packaging Association as well as the Chairman's Advisory Council. Quinn is also involved with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition; Association of Plastic Recyclers; International Safe Transit Association's board of directors; Society of Plastics Engineers' Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board; and Clemson University's Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences External Advisory Board.

"My philosophy associated with plastics and sustainability is that plastics are vital to a sustainable future. We as an industry need to continue to push the product and packaging development process to deliver what was once believed to be impossible, to be made possible," he said. "The reality is that plastics — and more specifically flexible plastic packaging — make the everyday life of the everyday consumer possible and enables sustainability every step of the way."

Quinn said industry needs to help consumers understand that they play "a critical role" in enabling a circular economy. He created film collection programs in the office and plants at both Nova and Pregis, and he is in the process of launching a similar program at Accredo.

"The [Pregis] plant in Grand Rapids [Mich.] had the target of collecting 500 pounds of flexible materials in a six-month period [and] they were able to collect nearly 1,800 pounds in the first six weeks. … Ultimately, I am a plastics loyalist. Anyone that has ever met me knows that, and whenever I have an opportunity to, I will find a way to discuss the value of plastic and plastic packaging, whether that is at school with my kids or when I go to schools to talk to students about a career and my career in packaging," he said. "I find ways to impress upon them how vital plastic packaging is to our everyday life and to enabling a sustainable future."

Quinn's first job, at 5 years old, involved working in the lab testing properties. His first official job, however, was the internship with Pregis in the U.K.

"I have always had a strong connection to the flexible packaging industry thanks to my father's influence. His involvement in the industry is what got me interested and had me in the lab helping with film testing before I could tie my shoes," he said. "The most important thing my father instilled in me was how special this industry is, and that is due ultimately to the people."

When Quinn was 18, his father had a stroke and "sadly we never got the opportunity to work together." His father provided Quinn with "fundamental and inspirational leadership" that led him to the industry, and he still provides Quinn with inspiration.

"While he was actively involved in the flexible packaging industry, it wasn't just his professional achievements that inspired me, but the values, work ethic and approach he brought to his work. Above all, a people-first approach that I live by every day," Quinn said.

Quinn also recognized Greg Gard, former senior vice president of technology at Liquibox and Berry; Chris Marposon of Berry; Paul Tas and Mike Koyich of Nova Chemicals; Michael Chase of Chase and Associates; Kasie Fairbarn of Windmoeller & Hoelscher Group; and Adrianne Tipton from Novolex, among many others. "I cannot ignore others who have been my mentors and enabled me to get to where I am today. … Each of these people, in their unique ways, played a pivotal role in shaping my career," he said.

Quinn said he would eventually like to be a chief sustainability officer, then, once he retires, he hopes to teach sustainability at packaging schools to help "enable sustainable packaging innovation for years to come."

"It is my hope that I get to pay this mentorship forward for the next generation behind me," Quinn said. "It is also my hope that because of the mentors I have had in my life, my children Emerson (6), Greyson (4) and Carson (6 months) are proud of their dad and want to be a part of the flexible packaging industry."