1. Be flexible

You know what they say about best-laid plans. When you create a plan, include Plan B options and contingency plans to consider in case the environment changes.

• Control what you can control

There’s no need to stress over things that are out of our hands. We may not be able to control pending legislation, but we can influence it with facts, and we can prepare our business for rule changes that are most likely to occur.

• Don’t wait for perfection to act

One of my favorite sayings is ‘don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.’ We must seek out the best intelligence we can and make calculated decisions based on what we know.

• Leverage your network

Remember, you are not in this boat alone. Connect with colleagues in the business to identify trends, challenges and potential solutions. Attend relevant conferences and consider areas where you might work together.

• Keep moving forward

No one can sit by and wait for the confusing to become clear. Take action, review progress and adjust as needed. Even small steps forward matter. They may be the foundation of larger steps down the road.

Since we know uncertainty is one of the few certainties in life, at CSA we customize circularity strategy to each individual client’s changing needs. We embrace science and are always looking for new technologies to make recycling more effective and cost-effective, while investing in the future. We help clients develop strategic relationships with best-in-class materials processors and help them get the best value from the recycled plastics marketplace.

While a world of uncertainty is a sure bet, it doesn’t have to be a roadblock. With the right mindset, approach, and partners, uncertainty might help us create just the opportunity we’re looking for.

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.

I’m not surprised that world leaders have not yet come up with a resolution. It is great to set global aspirations, but difficult if not impossible to create legislation across states– much less across countries.

Environmentalists, engineers, and industry leaders discussed solutions ranging from limiting production on new plastics, to tariffs on production, reengineering materials to make packaging more earth-friendly and, of course, recycling.

I believe it will take a combination of solutions working together to address the global issue. Recycling is important, as well as mining and recycling plastics currently in landfills. Mining can be efficient and economical, and it doesn’t rely solely on the consumer to be a diligent recycler.

The experts and environmentalists will be back at the table in November when treaty talks resume Busan, Korea. I hope to see the current aspirations codified, with a focus on standardizing approval processes for new packaging. Unified guidelines are a great start and could be implemented by each country in its own way. If world leaders can agree on a plan, it will be the most significant action related to climate change and environmental protection since the 2015 Paris Agreement.

At Circular Solutions Advisors, we will be watching and cheering them on.