Delaying action in search of the ‘perfect’ solution is a decision in itself—and is often the wrong one. Every moment spent waiting is a missed opportunity to innovate, reduce costs, and protect the environment. The truth is progress doesn’t require perfection; it requires action. And when it comes to recycling, the stakes are too high to stand still.

I often hear concerns like, ‘people won’t recycle properly,’ or ‘it all ends up in landfills anyway.’ These challenges are real, but they’re not insurmountable. At Circular Solutions Advisors, we’ve helped hundreds of organizations overcome these hurdles with proven, economically viable solutions. By working closely with the recycling supply chain, we ensure materials are properly collected and kept out of landfills—proving that recycling can work when done right.

We’re also pushing the boundaries of innovation. Through our strategic partnership with Plastiks, we’re leveraging blockchain technology to track recycled materials at every stage. This not only verifies recycling efforts but also provides organizations with immutable proof that their materials are being transformed into new products. It’s transparency and accountability at a whole new level.

Recycling isn’t just an environmental imperative—it’s a business opportunity. With the right processes and partners, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s successes. The steps we take today may not be the final solution, but they set us on a path toward a cleaner environment, a stronger economy, and a more sustainable future. Doing nothing is not an option. The time to act is now.

Historically, waste recycling industries have been fragmented, whether that’s from understanding what is truly being recycled and by whom—or standardizing reporting methodologies that accurately measure collection rates.

At Circular Solutions Advisors (CSA), our mission is to provide real recycling solutions to our clients to develop circular economies. We know that moving the recycling rate of roughly 32% up five or ten points is a steep hill to climb based on our current local-by-local and state-by-state recycling infrastructure.

Where we have found tremendous success is in creating circular economies through partnerships with like-minded organizations, as well as a few unlikely ones. There are numerous opportunities for partnership up and down the supply chain, including corporations, academic institutions, and NGOs.

When I spoke at the 2^nd World Recycling Convention in Rome in October, I shared best-practice examples of communities that have created effective coalitions to increase recycling. For example, Hilton Head, South Carolina was a recycling desert. Our company was brought in to help close the loop for used beverage containers (UBCs) and PET plastic bottles at the annual RBC Heritage Classic PGA golf event. We discovered the island did not have a material recovery facility (MRF) and we could not confirm the recycling transfer station material was being processed.

So, we created a coalition to develop and implement our action plan. We partnered with Beaufort County, Hilton Head Township, and Coca-Cola Consolidated. A local high school football team volunteered to sort recyclable material from collection bags. We worked with a local hauler to deliver the recycled material to Clemson University, which had built a mini-MRF on its property. The result: aluminum beverage containers and PET bottles from the golf tournament were diverted from the landfill and truly recycled.

By creating this coalition of governmental agencies, a consumer product company, a university and a local entrepreneur, we ensured circularity for the one-off major event. And we didn’t stop there. By finding the right partners, CSA is piloting a program to bring recycling to all of Hilton Head Island and the surrounding communities. Not only will residential recycling be collected, but also commercial recycling at hotels and resorts, golf courses, restaurants, hospitals, and special events such as marathons, golf tournaments, and others.

Now, these organizations—from teens to global beverage leaders—may seem to be unlikely partners. But they were just the right team, with the right skills and determination to make the impossible possible.

What issues does your organization face? Which partners could help your organization achieve its goals? Going it alone may be one option, but I’m a firm believer that we can do more when we work together.

This week, I had the privilege of participating on a panel at the Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum, a national conference celebrating women who are helping to drive success in our industry and shaping their companies’ future for the better. Moderator Teresa Schell and my fellow panelists Marcia Coulson, Jennifer Forell, Rolfe Olsen and I.

One key theme of the discussion was the resilience of women in the workforce, including the plastics industry, as we demonstrate adaptability, skill, and determination in a sector often dominated by male leaders.

As women in recycling, we talk about having a seat at the table. In many cases, we have the knowledge yet sit on the sidelines when we could be making mold-breaking contributions. In my experience, there are five must-haves to help female leaders accelerate their careers:

1. Business acumen and knowledge of the industry beyond your day-to-day role
2. Competence demonstrated every day to show your value to the organization
3. Self confidence to say what needs to be said, and the ability to take credit gracefully when it is earned
4. A mentor to help you navigate the corporate environment and an advocate to stand up for you when you are not in the ‘room where it happens’
5. The ability to be true to yourself—to know what you want in a career, and to serve as an internal compass when there are tough choices to be made along the way

As America’s first female secretary of state Madeleine Albright alluded to in her famous quote, it will take all of us in leadership roles today to look out for the next shining stars and help them succeed by sharing our experiences, guidance and networks.

I’d like to thank my fellow panelists for their leadership in this quest. With experience in the industry ranging from a few years to multiple decades, they are demonstrating the value women bring to a circular economy every day and are lighting a path for women who will be our next leaders.

Women in recycling now are breaking the mold every day. I look forward to seeing more of these future leaders rise to the C-suite and beyond to make our industry as strong as it can be, furthering our mission to optimize the use of resources and encourage environmental stewardship for the betterment of all.

“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

–Madeleine Albright, 2006

From university campuses to sports venues, our travels underscored the diverse landscape of recycling efforts. At a university, I saw a familiar challenge: aligning recycling practices across different university departments. The visit highlighted the importance of integrating university-wide recycling processes by streamlining efforts across departments as key to achieving sustainable outcomes.

At a major league baseball stadium, staff diligently separate recyclable materials immediately post-game, setting a standard in sports venue sustainability.

Their proactive approach to recycling demonstrates their commitment to environmental stewardship. They not only minimize waste but also strive to inspire others in the industry to prioritize recycling initiatives.

Throughout our travels, CSA has established partnerships with outstanding facilities like Recycling Services of Florida, a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) which plays a pivotal role in our mission. These collaborations aim to find homes for materials like stretch film, PET cardboard, and more, promoting sustainable reuse practices across Florida and beyond. And Recycling Services of Florida is the best of the best.

As we expand our network of partners, it’s inspiring to work with organizations like the Recycling Services of Florida. Their dedication to processing a diverse range of recyclable materials aligns perfectly with our vision for a circular economy.

Whether it’s enhancing recycling efforts at major events or navigating university dynamics, I believe that every organization holds the key to improving recycling habits—both by fostering sustainable practices and enhancing community engagement and education.

As Circular Solutions Advisors continues to innovate and lead the charge towards a more sustainable future, stay tuned. We’re programming our GPS for our next stops as we speak!