FEPAC holds summit meeting, launches sustainability program

The Federation of Plastics and Alliances Composites (FEPAC) wrapped up its first “Sustainable Development” summit meeting by unveiling its new ECO Leadership program, designed to help processors and others incorporate sustainable development policies into their business practices.

According to FEPAC’s president and CEO Pierre Fillion, the April 29 meeting drew approximately 180 manufacturers and partners to Saint-Hyacinthe, Que. A range of Que.-based speakers gave presentations structured around the sustainability theme, he said, in particular on reducing greenhouse gas and improving the quality of plastics that comes out of the province’s recycling facilities.

“Although starting in Quebec, ECO Leadership is ultimately going to be a national program,” Fillion told Canadian Plastics. “The program is designed to bring companies in the plastics and composites industries more in line with an environmental and sustainable development framework. We want to systematize an approach that brings the industry to a level of environmental responsibility that will win back public opinion in favour of plastics, and also helps companies take advantage of new business opportunities related to a ‘green’ economy.”

A company can pass the program by following a series of steps, Fillion continued, beginning with a preliminary audit of its current operation and ending with an action plan and recommendations from FEPAC for the company to act on.

To further formalize the launch, FEPAC unveiled the program logo at the summit, which companies that have successfully completed the ECO Leadership program will be authorized to display.