Sustainability Made Practical: Regulations and What Comes Next

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Sustainability is becoming a bigger part of doing business in the promotional products industry, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. This week, Aaron and Terry welcome Liz Wimbush, PPAI’s Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, to help make the topic practical and easier to understand. Liz shares how PPAI is supporting members at every stage of their sustainability journey, from businesses just getting started to those already leading the way. The conversation covers available tools and education, the Carbon Intensity Study, packaging Extended Producer Responsibility regulations, emerging textile legislation and the upcoming PPAI Responsibility Summit. Whether you are a supplier, distributor, or decorator, this episode will help you better understand what sustainability means for your business, what changes may be coming, and what steps you can begin taking now.

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News

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Dad Joke

Aaron: How does NASA organize a party?

They planet

Planet = Plan It

Sustainability Made Practical

Aaron: Liz, before we dive into the details, tell us a little about your role at PPAI and how you became passionate about sustainability in the promotional products industry.

Terry: “Sustainability” is one of those words that gets used a lot these days. When we talk about sustainability in the branded merchandise industry, what does it actually mean?

Aaron: Why has sustainability become such an important focus for the promotional products industry, and why has PPAI made it a strategic priority?

Terry: For distributors and suppliers who want to improve but don’t know where to start, what sustainability resources and tools does PPAI offer to help members?

Aaron: One topic you’ve been discussing lately is carbon intensity. Can you explain what the Carbon Intensity Study is, why it matters, and what businesses can expect to learn from it?

Terry: Regulations around sustainability seem to be changing quickly. What’s the biggest new regulation our audience should be paying attention to right now?

When Printing In-House Starts to Make Sense

Aaron: You’ve mentioned Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, particularly around packaging. What is it, and why should both suppliers and distributors understand how it could affect their businesses?

Terry: Looking ahead, are there any emerging regulations—such as textile EPR—that you think our industry should start preparing for now?

Aaron: PPAI has the Responsibility Summit coming up in September. Who is this event designed for, and what can attendees expect to take away from it?

Terry: For someone who’s never attended the Responsibility Summit before, what makes it worth adding to their calendar this year?

Aaron: What projects or initiatives are you personally working on right now that have you most excited about the future of sustainability in our industry?

Terry: If you could leave our audience with one practical piece of advice—something distributors or suppliers could start doing this week to become more sustainable or better prepared for what’s coming—what would it be?

Aaron: How can our listeners reach out to you?
PPAI Sustainability Hub
Responsibility Summit Event Page
Comparative Carbon Per Impressions Study
WAP Sustainability Research Articles: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 – three more coming! 
My LinkedIn profile
PPAI’s 5 Year Strategic Plan details – with sustainability as a ‘priority lane’.

The Secret Sauce

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.