A Letter to CEOs: Why Sustainability and Transparency Go Hand in Hand

"Sustainability" is a word we hear frequently, especially as pressure mounts from investors, advocacy groups and consumers. This means companies and organizations around the globe are working diligently to achieve ambitious goals that address targets for environmental stewardship, social well-being, economic viability and more.

But while sustainability is now in the spotlight, its principles have always been a key focus for AmSty.

We're celebrating 15 years of sustainable innovation and proud of the progress we've made in the circular recycling of polystyrene, a versatile plastic that makes life better when it comes to food safety and preservation, construction, medical supplies, energy conservation and more.

Sustainability is simply the right thing to do. We've documented our journey, the importance of polystyrene, and our leadership in circular recycling innovation in our latest sustainability report, "Driving Sustainable Change."

Reports like this – that dig into multiple areas of the business – are becoming more commonplace and as some of you have likely discovered, it's a monumental undertaking. But the painstaking research and attention to detail highlights where you've been, the challenges faced, accomplishments met, and milestones yet to achieve. It's a lift – but it's well worth it.

And today's more discerning public expects it.

Being authentically transparent is key to earning public trust. Without it, a company, and perhaps entire industries, can lose their freedom to operate. When public confidence erodes, society will find alternate solutions to suit their needs.

The plastics industry in particular faces unique challenges and increasing scrutiny, so a sustainability report for us is not simply a matter of checking the box.

We're proud to share our story: how we were pioneers in charting a path in the recycling of polystyrene – helping our customers reach their bold sustainability goals with the advancement of new technologies, sustainable materials, and partnerships to protect the environment. Our ultimate goal is to reduce, and eventually eliminate, plastic waste in landfills. We believe this is a solvable problem and our progress is exciting.

We've detailed our impressive safety performance that is made possible because of our dedicated employees in each of our locations. We've also included our commitment to operational excellence, corporate citizenship, community involvement and a thriving and diverse workforce.

We hope this report demonstrates to AmSty employees, customers, consumers and neighbors that we share their values for a better world – and that we're continuously learning, innovating, and implementing to do things better every day. The report provides a glimpse of what's to come – because we know there's still work to do.

As you assess your company's sustainability story, I encourage you to invest the time and resources to tell it – detailing your progress, your challenges and the path forward. Ultimately, as an industry, when we all demonstrate our commitment to do what's right for people and the planet, we'll not only earn stakeholder trust, we'll also run better businesses.