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Dow<\/a> has announced the final results from a collaborative effort at PACK EXPO International 2024<\/a> \u2013 North America\u2019s premier packaging and processing event, and they conclude that sustainability initiatives were a resounding success. Combined efforts diverted 284.88 tons of waste from landfills, achieving a 51% diversion rate. Related initiatives also conserved nearly two million gallons of water and over one million kWh of electricity\u2014equivalent to the annual water usage of roughly 15-20 average American households and the electricity usage of roughly 100\u2014among other environmental savings.<\/p>\n The partnership between Dow, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies<\/a> (PMMI), event venue McCormick Place and waste management provider Independent Recycling Services achieved notable strides in waste diversion and resource conservation on site. PACK EXPO International, which aimed to improve circularity measures at the event, demonstrated both the industry\u2019s innovation in circularity and a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. It also showed that collaboration at every level of planning and execution, in concert with key partners, is instrumental to moving toward the gold standard of fully circular events.<\/p>\n Partners developed and implemented a deliberate and comprehensive strategy to minimize the event\u2019s environmental footprint and promote circularity. Serving as PACK EXPO International\u2019s official Sustainability Partner, Dow worked jointly with companies on the integration of sustainable practices throughout, reflecting the company\u2019s core belief that sustainability is interwoven into the fabric of its operations.<\/p>\n \u201cAt Dow, we believe that collaboration is essential for driving meaningful change,\u201d said Izabel Assis, North America commercial vice president, Packaging & Specialty Plastics at Dow. \u201cFor the second consecutive year, PACK EXPO International has showcased the power of partnership in advancing circularity<\/a> within the packaging industry. By working together, we can make significant progress toward our shared sustainability<\/a> goals. It\u2019s inspiring to see the industry adopt these practices and strive for a circular economy, and we\u2019re excited to keep the momentum going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNew partnerships, bolstered by emerging technologies, are transforming how we approach event recycling for the better,\u201d said Cullyn Doerfler, sustainability coordinator at Independent Recycling Services. \u201cThe teamwork to improve circularity and sustainability was impressive on its own, and the results highlight just how impactful a unified effort can be. Over the past 47 years, Independent Recycling Services has become one of the leading waste collection and disposal companies in Chicago, and partnerships like this one help us maintain the collaborative and innovative spirit that built our company.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond traditional recycling efforts, PACK EXPO International 2024 incorporated several innovative sustainability initiatives on site. These included:<\/p>\n \u201cAs one of the nation\u2019s largest convention centers, McCormick Place serves as a model for other event sites around the country, and we take that responsibility seriously, as evident through results like what we saw at PACK EXPO International,\u201d said Larita Clark, chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). \u201cOur investment in renewable energy, along with our ongoing joint efforts to reduce waste and conserve resources, underscores our dedication to creating a more sustainable future for our city and our events.\u201d<\/p>\n “PACK EXPO International 2024 showed that circularity has become a core business principle for the industry. Results from this event have paved the way for future success at PACK EXPO and beyond,\u201d said Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. \u201cPMMI is committed to fostering a more sustainable future, and this partnership has exemplified what that looks like in practice.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n