Along with R&D, I also go to the associations we belong to and try to guide them in terms of using labels. We learn from them, and from members of our ecosystem, about how we can create labels that meet their needs. It's a mutual collaboration that lets us see what the recycling industry is looking for, and what the brand owners are looking for, so we can try to combine everything together.
The other part that I do is helping with recycling label waste, like the matrix and liner materials, through AD Circular. It’s one way that we’re improving label and packaging recycling while changing the way recycled materials are used, and it moves us closer to a circular economy where everything is continuously reused.
Did you always want your career to focus on sustainability?
Yes. I have sustainability in my background and I’m a biologist. I have two specialties, one is ecology and the other is microbiology, but combined, they focus on how to solve contamination problems in water, soil and all those types of things.
And I also studied environmental science and almost finished a second degree. So yes, my background is focused on sustainability, though I ended up with Avery Dennison by chance.
Does working in sustainability make you feel good about what you do?
Yes – it gives purpose to your work. Sometimes, it’s frustrating because you need to try and convince people to move in the right direction and it can be hard to get decisions made based on sustainability. But I think we are making very good progress.
Avery Dennison is really moving forward, and by working with our ecosystem partners, we can change things for the better and help advance our industry, leading to a more sustainable future.