How Sustainability Supports a Circular Economy
Extract. Produce. Consume. Discard. This model of a linear economy is how our society has functioned for many years, as raw materials are transformed into goods, which are then disposed of when the consumer is finished with them. However, with the current pace of our economy accelerating, this linear model has become unsustainable. The linear production of goods puts excessive pressure on our ecosystem and jeopardizes provisions such as water, air, and clean soil. However, a circular economic model, where raw materials can be kept longer in production cycles and used repeatedly, allows for resources to be used as long as possible and can be a lot more sustainable for our planet.
Striving for a circular economy is an important goal for businesses and individuals alike. Reusing and recycling products instead of disposing of them goes a long way in reducing emissions, protecting the environment, benefiting the local economy, and promoting independence by reducing dependence on raw materials. Companies like Bamberger Polymers are dedicated to pursuing this sort of circular economy to help protect the environment.
Supporting the Circular Economy through ISCC PLUS
A circular economy needs the support of businesses like Bamberger Polymers to take the first steps. With this dedication in mind, Bamberger received ISCC PLUS certification in April of 2022 and recently completed recertification. Having ISCC PLUS means that Bamberger has a certified process to track bio-based and recycled raw materials as they flow through the supply chain, from supplier to customers.
This was a big step in Bamberger supporting a circular economy, as explained by Bamberger’s Business Development Manager for Sustainability Conner Mendenhall: “ISCC PLUS means we’ve been audited by a third party that allows us to participate in the mass balance accounting ecosystem,” he said. “We have all the processes and procedures to track feedstocks throughout the supply chain and ensure they stay certified sustainable.”
“ISCC certification is standard- similar to ISO with regards to traceability and accountability,” explained Mario Umana, Bamberger’s Director of Technical Services. “The protocol allows us to measure, track, and calculate advanced recycled or bio-based polymers.
In addition to ISCC PLUS certification, Bamberger has also taken more sustainable measures through expanding their offering of PCR and PIR content materials and dedicated business development resources.
“One of the biggest moves we’ve made is to strategically add sources for recycled material and position ourselves for future supplier partnerships. It is quickly becoming a very important part of our product portfolio,” Mario said.
Through these efforts, and many more, Bamberger has been able to reduce waste and promote recycled materials in the ongoing fight to create a better, more sustainable world.
Helping Customers Reach Their Sustainability Goals
Promoting sustainability to customers and suppliers is a great way to support a circular economy, but for many, sustainability is easier said than done. Bamberger is dedicated to encouraging suppliers to take those necessary steps to ensure a more sustainable world.
“We seek alliances with suppliers who are willing to partner with us and be good product stewards, which means being good stewards of the environment,” explained Mario. “We always encourage – and constantly seek – our supply base to be proactive and implement all necessary measures to become more environmentally friendly.”
Lately, there’s been a concerted effort for manufacturers and suppliers to utilize Post-Consumer Recycled resin (PCR) and Post-Industrial Recycled resin (PIR) in plastic products. PCR and PIR are made from waste or used plastic material, and these plastics are a great way to help manufacturers reach their sustainability goals.
The Future of Sustainability
With all the steps Bamberger has taken to support a circular economy, there’s still a long way to go before companies can reuse and recycle all our plastic products in a sustainable way that benefits the environment in the long run. In America, states like California are passing legislation to ensure plastic manufacturers use a certain amount of recycled content in their products, like PCR and PIR, in order to help our country pursue a more sustainable future.
“California tends to pass sustainability laws first, and then other states like New York, New Hampshire, and New Jersey follow,” explained Conner Mendenhall. “The legislation they pass mandates a certain amount of plastic used by manufacturers needs to be recycled.”
“California seems to lead the pack when it comes to sustainability,” agreed Mario Umana. “In general, as California goes, so does most of the rest of the country – their economy alone consumes many products and is of vital commercial importance. Many in our customer base have already introduced, or are fast-tracking the use of, PCR and PIR in their manufactured products.”
More and more places around North America and other parts of the world are pursuing green initiatives, and companies like Bamberger are ahead of the pack when it comes to being good stewards of the environment. Suppliers and manufacturers alike know that Bamberger’s name is synonymous with sustainability.
“Bamberger has established itself as a company that can get recycled content,” assured Conner Mendenhall. “Any of our customers that need to reach sustainability requirements know they can trust Bamberger to get the right material for them.”
Bamberger Creates a More Sustainable Future
Bamberger Polymers is a thermoplastics resin distributor offering a wide material portfolio of engineering and commodity thermoplastics, including PCR and PIR, to help meet sustainability requirements. As an intuitive leader in the industry, Bamberger collaboratively solves tomorrow’s problems with integrity, nimbleness, and respect while providing quality products delivered on time. We ship more than 1.6 billion pounds of bulk and packaged resins to manufacturers for customized projects every year, and our trusted relationships with customers and suppliers are always founded on consistent communication and support from order to shipment.