Find the other 2024 Notable Leaders in Sustainability here.
Patricia Miller has been involved in the plastics industry almost her whole life, and she has been looking forward to a more sustainable future and making a difference where she can.
"How we move from the business of today to 'responsible,' and ultimately 'regenerative,' is critical," said Miller, the CEO of M4 Factory in Woodstock, Ill.
"At M4, we are focused on pivoting away from virgin plastic and bringing future materials and systems (bio and circular) into current practices."
Miller has worked toward disrupting the injection molding sector. That includes creating a pioneering product design and manufacturing focused on innovation and sustainability.
Miller has also been featured in Plastics News' Women Breaking the Mold and Crain's Chicago Business 40 Under 40.
Miller is involved in many organizations including the board of directors for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Technology and Manufacturing Association (TMA) and mHub. She is also active in the U.S. Plastics Pact and 1% for the Planet.
She also attends events such as Green Biz conferences, Fast Company Impact events, Design Week Milan and the International Home and Housewares Show.
At the company, Miller pushes a sustainability framework and is a part of the Conservation at Work program and WasteNot composting initiative. The office is a sustainable space, with refillable soap containers and compostable garbage bags. The company also separates all plastic materials for recycling, reuse or for the M4 Factory Artist Residency program.
The company participates in a plastics-free July challenge and gets involved in the community through local community clean-up groups.
While her work life is surrounded by plastics, Miller is working on her sustainability efforts even at home.
"In my personal life, I strive to reduce plastic waste wherever possible. From clothing I purchase, beauty and cosmetic products, cleaning products, I advocate for brands I appreciate and partner on social media with them," she said.
Miller had an internship for M4 at age 16 and built the company's first website.
"I am interested in the industry because it served a foundation to my life; I believe American manufacturing is important, and in this critical decade change can occur, and must occur, from within," Miller said.
When starting her and the company's sustainability journey, Miller didn't imagine the industry would take so long to begin to see a shift. From getting her team on board to finding the right customers that were ready to shift, Miller found herself ready for the change almost too early.
There was an education curve that came along with sustainability; many brands were reluctant at first, but Miller persisted and today sees a brighter future for the industry.
In the future, Miller feels that in order to expand in sustainability, companies must identify a go-to virgin plastic alternative. Working with recycling and circular pathways will be a step in the right direction.
"Be the change. We have such a massive challenge and an incredible opportunity," Miller said.
"I believe manufacturers are incredible problem-solvers and can be the solution. I think we need to continue to share best practices and raise each other up, for collective good and humanity," she added.