In the famous 1967 movie The Graduate, a young Dustin Hoffman – in the role of Benjamin Braddock, is taken aside at a party and given a piece of career guidance that became famous. In a word – “plastics“. Fast forward to the 21st century and this succinct advice might get a small edit if you were to ask Toby Reid. He’ll tell you there’s a bright future in a new kind of material. Bioplastics.
Reid is the founder and CEO of Solegear, a Vancouver-based company at the forefront of compostable plastic manufacturing. Their Polysole® resin, designed to break down into the water, carbon dioxide, and micro-organisms from which it was made, is used by companies in the cosmetics, electronics, IT, personal care, and toy industries. Solegear has received numerous awards for product development and entrepreneurship, and recently received $1.6 million in funding as part of the federal government’s Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative.
At the 2014 Zero Waste Conference (Sept 16 – Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre) Toby will be sharing his insights into the wide range of products that can harness bioplastic innovations, how his company works with clients to create customized solutions for sustainable plastic parts, products and packaging needs, and the critical role ‘green chemistry’ can play in finding materials to work within the context of the new circular economy.
As consumers come to demand sustainability in every facet of the marketplace, costs for waste management rise, and the impact of old methods and outdated materials become unacceptable to society at large, understanding the role of bioplastics cradle-to-cradle manufacturing will become a critical piece of knowledge for professionals in both the public and private sector.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders. Register for #ZWC2014 today. At just $125 for the day (including coffee breaks, lunch and networking reception) this is an amazing chance to gain knowledge, build your professional network, and share your perspective on the challenges and opportunities we are facing with this momentous shift in thinking.
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