May 14, 2025
The Green Impact Report Quick take: Quick take: Myles 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
Myles 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, Myles 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, Myles brings a creative, entrepreneurial approach to sustainability challenges.
Breaking Ground on Better Building
In this episode, Myles 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 Myles’ advice to “run to me with bad news”
and “hire for attitude, train for skill.”
Connect & Learn More
- Connect with Myles 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
Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources for all of your green building news at the Green Building Matters website.
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