Job Role

Sustainabilty Manager

Company

RECOUP

What attracted you to the plastics industry in the first place?

I fell into the plastics industry by chance after finishing university but was eager to learn about an industry I knew nothing about and was keen to take on the challenge of learning about plastic and representing the material in a positive light.

 

How did your career move forward?

My career in RPC naturally progressed from starting as a graduate in the business to the position that I hold now helped by training and gaining experience. I was the first full time resource that RPC had at Group level for sustainability so as the focus on this area increased so did the extent and importance of the job role!

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

I would encourage young people starting out to pursue careers in subject areas that they enjoy so that they will hopefully enjoy and be passionate in their role. I would also advise people not to rule out any industries or jobs because they may be seen as less glamorous or well known as a career. I for one never wanted to work in manufacturing and had never thought of a job in packaging as a career path but I'm still enjoying it 8 years after starting out!

How do you think the plastics industry will change in the next 5 years?

Over the next 5 years I think we face a really interesting time as an industry, I think there will be an increasing focus on environmental challenges especially with the introduction of the circular economy package and the increased focus on the recyclability and recycling of plastics. I hope that we will see increased plastic recycling and the use of recycled plastics in packaging and non-packaging applications supported by the whole supply chain .

As an industry we have an increasingly positive story to tell and are doing a lot to contribute to a sustainable future for plastic products so my hope would be that this is recognised more in the next 5 years and we focus on the positive stories we have to tell as an industry so that the consumer begins to understand more the benefits plastics have in their every day lives.

I think we will also see a lot of well-known, experienced and knowledgeable faces leave the plastic industry in the next 5 years hopefully to be replaced by enthusiastic, passionate, up and coming talent to continue in their footsteps!

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