Peter Steeves comes from a family that is "extremely passionate" about environmental issues.
"[My parents] have raised me well and inspired to me to want to make an impact, however, [they] never pushed me in any particular direction," he said.
Steeves is a polymer engineer at Woburn, Mass.-based CJ Biomaterials Inc., which makes PHA, "a bio-based and biodegradable polymer, for various applications [that] can be manufactured through injection molding, blown film or film casting, or fiber forming methods." The company collaborates with other firms that are interested in making more sustainable products and to minimize environmental and general pollution effects.
Steeves works on biodegradable, compostable and bio-based material processing optimization; conducts injection molding process optimization for various PHA formulations for cutlery and cup molding, as well as other single-use applications; and contributes formulation advancements designed for specific applications and use cases.
"My philosophy is that a combination of bio-based and biodegradable or compostable materials along with new recycling techniques and larger infrastructure is the key to a sustainable future within the plastics industry.
"Another very key aspect is raising public awareness in regard to waste disposal, as there seems to be a general lack of knowledge. While my job directly correlates to improving plastics' sustainability, I also attempt to educate friends and family on how to properly dispose of certain materials," he said.
Steeves obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in plastics engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
"As a studying plastics engineer at UMass Lowell, I was initially intrigued by the vast reaches polymers have within our society. To me, it was truly incredible how much plastic is utilized in our everyday lives without us really acknowledging all the applications and use cases. From simple, single-use plastics to engineering-grade plastics used in the automotive and aerospace industries, it seemed like the opportunities were endless," he said.
After completing some core classes within his major, Steeves realized how integrated plastic is within society as well as its negative effects on the environment and ecosystems. He took a creative writing class and wrote about the various ocean garbage patches that accumulate where the water currents meet throughout the oceans.
"This, along with additional research into pollution-related issues, immediately made me realize that our industry needs to change, and the change will have to be imminent. This knowledge only increased my drive to get into the industry and find a way where I could begin to make a difference," he said.
"My overall goal throughout my career is to increase my knowledge and understanding of bio-based and/or biodegradable materials, as well as various recycling methods," Steeves added. "I believe a combination of these materials and practices will lead us into a new age of plastics, which will have much less of a negative impact on our globe for both people and animals."