ARMA Update On The Current Industry Landscape

There are currently several significant topics that it is vital to be across now: the federal budget announcement, further interest rate rises, cost of living, staffing issues, cyber security, and diversity and inclusion. Acknowledging the magnitude of these challenges, it is important for us to be aware of their implications and to explore potential strategies to mitigate their effects on our operations.

The recently announced federal budget has the potential to shape our industry’s trajectory. It is crucial to analyse the budget’s provisions and identify opportunities and potential roadblocks that lie ahead. We will closely monitor the allocation of resources to sectors that directly or indirectly affect rotational moulding, such as infrastructure development, transportation, and environmental initiatives. By staying informed, we can position ourselves to take advantage of any incentives or support provided by the government.

The rising cost of living affects both businesses and individuals. It poses challenges in managing expenses, attracting, and retaining talent, and maintaining profit margins. As we grapple with these challenges, we will explore cost-saving strategies, efficiency improvements, and collaboration opportunities within the industry to mitigate the impact of increasing costs. Sharing best practices and knowledge among members can foster innovative approaches to address this issue collectively.

The shortage of skilled labour continues to be a pressing concern for the rotational moulding industry. As demand grows, finding and retaining personnel becomes more challenging. ARMA will endeavour to assist where it can by promoting workforce development initiatives, advocating for training, and fostering partnerships with educational institutions for our members. We will also explore the potential for automation and technology advancements to address staffing challenges.

With the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure and interconnected systems, cyber threats pose a significant risk to businesses. ARMA is currently prioritising cybersecurity, and we will share best practices for data protection, and collaborating with industry experts to develop guidelines and resources to safeguard our members’ operations. By proactively addressing cybersecurity concerns, we can enhance the resilience and trust within our industry.

Promoting diversity and inclusion within our industry is not only a matter of social responsibility but also a strategic imperative. Embracing diversity in all its forms fosters innovation, enriches decision-making processes, and strengthens our industry’s reputation.

As we tackle these opportunities and challenges, ARMA remains committed to supporting our members and supporters through timely information, advocacy, and collaboration. Together, we can adapt to changing circumstances, and seize opportunities for growth and success.

BPF statement in response to ‘Forever Toxic’ report

In response to the recent Greenpeace report Forever Toxic: The science on health threats from plastic recycling the British Plastics Federation (BPF) has published the following statement: the impact of other key global environmental issues, the most pressing being climate change. The treaty needs to increase resource efficiency, as well as the circularity of plastic, whilst enabling plastic to continue to play its key role in society. To ensure the best outcomes, improving waste management and expanding recycling needs to be part of the suite of agreements.

Modern society couldn’t function without plastic, and it is also vital to the healthcare sector. As a material, it enriches our lives but once used it needs to be disposed of with care and recycled wherever possible. Reports like this should not discourage people from recycling, as it remains the most desirable outcome for the majority of plastic products at the end of their life.

Plastic should be used where it offers the best environmental outcome from an LCA perspective or offers a valuable functional benefit that merits its use. Banning the use of plastic in certain applications without considering the impact of the alternatives does not guarantee the best environmental outcome. If the alternative does not fulfill core requirements, this can lead to further waste. In addition, restricting production risks compromising security of supply, especially considering the UK already only produces roughly half of the plastic material required by UK manufacturers.

Reuse is an important part of reaching a more sustainable future, but all products will eventually reach the end of their useable life and there needs to be an alternative to landfill and incineration, wherever possible, which requires recycling. It is worth repeating that recycling benefits the environment by reducing the use of fossil fuels and keeping material in functional use for as long as possible.

To ensure public safety there are strict food contact regulations that govern the use of all materials that come into contact with food and an extensive approval process has to be undertaken to achieve food contact status for recycled plastic.

When it comes to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the Stockholm Convention was adopted in 2001 with the remit to eliminate, restrict, reduce, or eliminate POPs to protect human health as well as the environment. 186 parties are involved (185 states and the European Union). The EU has highly detailed Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) legislation, again to protect human health and the environment. It is important to manage risk with hazardous substances for the staff of manufacturers who handle materials as well as the people who buy the final product. REACH policies involve a strict set of safety measures to mitigate and risk and allow safe use.

Taking better care of the environment is hugely important, as is improving the way plastic waste is managed. But plastic is necessary when it comes to reducing global emissions and enhancing the lives – and health – of people around the world, and a vibrant plastic recycling.