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.

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