Every year, more than eight million tons of plastic waste escapes into the world’s oceans. What if there was a platform to stop ocean plastic and help alleviate poverty through a global recycling ecosystem?
That is the ambitious goal of Plastic Bank and its founder David Katz, who will offer a keynote presentation at OPS 2022, Empowering the World to Stop Ocean Plastic.
Katz will deliver a TedTalk-style presentation on how Plastic Bank and the world’s most progressive companies are stewarding the collection of ocean-bound plastic waste and empowering communities to thrive. Plastic Bank allows people living in poverty to collect plastic and trade it in for material goods such as school tuition, medical insurance, internet access, and cooking fuel. The recycled plastic is reborn as Social Plastic™ feedstock and used in the production of products and packaging.
As the founder and CEO of Plastic Bank, Katz has developed a global network of more than 500 collection communities with more than 30,000 members that are transcending poverty by saving the ocean from plastic. Under his leadership, Katz has helped guide global partners like SC Johnson, Henkel, CooperVision, and more to stop billions of plastic bottles before they reach the ocean.
David Katz will give the keynote talk at OPS 2022, "Empowering the World to Stop Ocean Plastic."
OPS 2022 is a two-day event specifically designed to bring together organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors with retail and buying organizations from across North America. The sixth annual event will be held July 13-14 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA.
“We continue to learn about the small amount of plastic that is actually recycled across the globe and how much plastic winds up in the world’s oceans,” said Susan Canales, president of the Organic Produce Summit. “OPS attendees will learn about David’s work across the globe and how we can reduce our need for virgin plastic while creating lasting environmental, social and economic impact.”
Katz’s keynote presentation is the second keynote announced for OPS 2022. John Ruane, senior vice president, and chief omnichannel merchandising officer for The GIANT Company, will discuss The Growth of Omnichannel Merchandising That’s Driving Retail Sales and how consumers will spend more and become more loyal to a brand across all commerce channels with an effective omnichannel merchandising and marketing program.
In addition, educational sessions at OPS 2022 will focus on sustainability, the growing importance of CEA (controlled environment agriculture), regenerative organic agriculture, branded vs. private-label organic offerings, and organics in an era of inflation and consumer purchasing behavior.
OPS 2022 will also include field tours for qualified retailers/buyers, a gala opening night reception, and a sold-out trade show floor featuring over 150 producers and processors of fresh organic produce from across the globe.
Registration to attend is available here.
For more information:
Matt Seeley
Organic Produce Network
Tel: +1 (831) 884-5092
Matt@organicproducenetwork.com
www.organicproducesummit.com