We are pleased to highlight two of our exceptional One Berry leaders recognized by Plastics News’ 2023 Notable Leaders in Sustainability. Tom Salmon and Robert Flores were distinguished for their efforts to make plastics more sustainable and drive the industry forward. These are just two of the individuals inspiring action across our global organization and the plastics value chain.
Recently wrapping up his sixth and final year as Berry’s Chaiman and CEO, Tom Salmon left a legacy on the plastics industry that is nothing short of reMARKable. Tom joined Berry in 2007 as the President of its Engineered Materials Division and later served as the president of Berry's Consumer Packaging and Rigid Closed Top units before becoming Chief Operating Officer and CEO of Berry Global. Under Tom’s leadership, Berry helped pave the way for a more circular, net-zero economy for plastics, establishing ambitious sustainability goals to achieve 100 percent reusable, recyclable, or compostable fast-moving consumer packaging by 2025 and net-zero emissions by 2050. “Through a number of initiatives, including an industry-leading Berry Plastic Ambassadors Academy focused on innovation and actions in sustainability and key customer collaborations, I elevated Berry Global as a sustainability leader with its size, scale and influence across the value chain."
Rob Flores, Vice President of Sustainability, joined Berry in 2009 as a materials development engineer after five years of engineering experience at Dow. In 2015, Rob became Berry’s Director of Sustainability before stepping into his current role in 2019, where he is responsible for driving Berry’s Global sustainability agenda. Rob helps customers meet their ambitious sustainability goals by delivering new products and materials that advance a pathway to circularity by increasing the use of recycled content, minimizing waste, and improving recyclability. Optimistic about the power of plastic to accelerate a circular, net-zero future, Rob acknowledges that there is still work to be done. “Plastics are an amazing material with the ability to provide a lighter weight, lower-carbon alternative to other substrates,” said Rob. “We just need to continue moving the industry forward — advocating for extended producer responsibility and recycled-content mandates while working in parallel to design products to be reusable, recyclable or compostable and contain recycled content.”
We applaud our Notable Leaders in Sustainability for their bold and courageous guidance. As we pave the way for a more sustainable future for plastics, these individuals are leading the charge by offering a true value proposition around recycling and packaging.