The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) announced four new companies from across the plastics value chain have joined its ranks in an effort to help end plastic waste in the environment. The new members, Charter NEX Films, Milliken & Company, Pregis and Geocycle add to AEPW’s membership diversity, representing the manufacture and production of specialty films, specialty chemicals, protective packaging and waste management, respectively. The companies bring AEPW’s global membership to 42, up from 27 at its January launch. The Alliance also announced that Jean-Marc Boursier, COO of SUEZ, a global leader for environmental services, has joined David Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble and Bob Patel, CEO of LyondellBasell as an Officer of the Alliance, following the successful tenure of Veolia’s Laurent Auguste.
“It’s a great source of pride that in one of my first public announcements I get to celebrate the continued growth of the Alliance by welcoming these new members,” said AEPW’s president and CEO Jacob Duer. “Everyone agrees: plastic waste does not belong in our ocean, or anywhere in the environment. The reach, expertise and commitment of these four companies is going to help us advance our comprehensive approach to addressing this global challenge, while simultaneously developing sustainable solutions,” he added.
“I am honored to take on the position of Officer in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. In SUEZ, we have been working for more than a decade to make recycled resources from plastic waste to protect the environment, and we are keen to contribute our expertise to the Alliance. Beyond prevention at the source, we should all together enable the creation of scalable and replicable clean-up systems, waste collection and plastic recovery solutions, especially in Asia, India and Africa,” Boursier said.
Membership in the Alliance continues to expand as companies see tangible projects begin to take shape. “Through harnessing the power of innovation and collaboration, Charter NEX is committed to creating new end-of-life solutions for plastic waste and serving as a partner to our customers in achieving their sustainable packaging objectives,” said Kathy Bolhous, Chief Executive Officer of Charter NEX Films. “We are proud to join the Alliance and join forces with leading members of the value chain to put an end to plastic waste in the environment.”
“This partnership supports Milliken’s 2025 sustainability goals which include, among others, to advance innovations geared at solving the plastics end-of-life challenge,” added Halsey M. Cook, President and CEO for Milliken & Company. “Through our cross-market reach, we strive to bring people together to make a positive impact on the world. The Alliance to End Plastic Waste amplifies our voice and invites meaningful collaboration in the process.”