#380 Miles Cohen on Paperization: Revolutionizing Sustainable Packaging and Recycling

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Quick take: Miles Cohen shares invaluable insights into the recycling industry, sustainable packaging innovations, and how professionals can drive value-based sustainability initiatives that benefit both business and the environment.

Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion

Miles Cohen is a results-oriented leader in sustainable packaging, residential and industrial recycling, and environmental sustainability sectors. With senior executive experience at organizations including Pratt Industries, Sonoco, and Duracell, Miles has developed broad expertise in operations, sales, marketing, and general management.

As founder of Circular Ventures Consultancy, he helps organizations address ESG issues related to waste, recycling, landfill diversion, sustainable packaging, and challenging public policy issues. A sought-after keynote speaker and industry advocate, Miles brings a creative, entrepreneurial approach to sustainability challenges.

Breaking Ground on Better Building

In this episode, Miles Cohen revolutionizes traditional approaches to recycling and packaging:

Key Insight #1: The Reality of Recycling Markets

The Challenge: Misconceptions about recycling markets since China stopped accepting certain materials
The Solution: Understanding recycling as a commodity with robust global markets, particularly for paper
ROI: America collects 150 million tons of recyclable materials annually with strong markets for everything from metals (70% of US steel comes from recycled iron) to paper (40+ million tons collected yearly)

Key Insight #2: Paperization: The Future of Sustainable Packaging

The Challenge: Plastic packaging creating environmental concerns with limited recyclability
The Solution: “Paperization” – converting plastic packaging to paper-based alternatives
ROI: Over 100 product categories shifting from plastic to paper packaging, including innovations like paper-based six-pack holders, wine bottles, and shipping envelopes

Key Insight #3: Business-Driven Sustainability

The Challenge: Sustainability initiatives viewed as “vitamins” (nice-to-have) rather than “painkillers” (essential)
The Solution: Focusing on value-based, economically viable sustainability initiatives
ROI: Retailers and consumers driving demand for sustainable packaging, creating economic incentives for manufacturers to innovate with thinner papers and right-sized packaging

Sustainable Soundbite

Your Green Building Action Plan

Transform your next project with these steps:

This Week: Assess your current packaging or building materials – identify where you can reduce, reuse, or switch to more sustainable alternatives.
This Quarter: Investigate “paperization” opportunities for your products or construction materials – what plastic components could be replaced with paper-based alternatives?
This Year: Develop metrics that demonstrate both environmental and financial benefits of your sustainability initiatives – remember Miles’ advice to “run to me with bad news” and “hire for attitude, train for skill.”

Connect & Learn More

Connect with Miles Cohen: LinkedIn
Read the transcript: Full Episode Transcript
📚 Recommended Reading: “Everybody’s Trash” by Duncan Watson – an educational and entertaining look at recycling and waste management