Sundberg-Ferar covered the Sustainable Brands conference today at Detroit’s Cobo Center, and witnessed an impressive community of brands and companies at the Innovation Expo. Each was committed to sustainable initiatives that will ripple across not just our nation, but across the world.
Global brands like BASF, the newly merged Keurig Dr Pepper, Proctor & Gamble, Whirlpool, Nestle, and more each brought a definitive presence and message on their initiatives for sustainability and environmental responsibility. Sustainable societies were also pervasive at the conference and included organizations like American Forests, EPA Smartway, World Wildlife Fund, GC3, and Together for Sustainability, to name a few. Industry organizations like Plastics Industry Association, the Almond Board of California, came alongside these with their own efforts to create a sustainable future. Companies like Good360, Detroit-based Life Remodeled, White Pony Express, WOO, and LifeStraw showcased their products and businesses that are bringing hope for the sustainability and provision of basic human needs from clean water to food and shelter.
The expo floor setup was itself a showcase of sustainability. Full of prime areas to do networking and meet new companies, the tables, and chairs were all made of sustainable materials, and the atmosphere was made complete with real potted trees and grass turf carpeting. Not only that, but there was not a single plastic water bottle or coffee cup to be had! Every attendee was asked to bring a reusable bottle or thermos in keeping with the sustainable convictions of the conference.
Oh! And in the process of getting to know some of the companies on the exhibit floor, I got to meet this crazy mascot, dubbed “the bag monster” from ChicoBag, a company offering plastic bag alternative products.
It was both exciting and encouraging to experience the robust sustainable community represented at Sustainable Brands. Having been committed to making every product we touch a bit better and a bit more beautiful for the betterment of humanity for over 85 years here in Detroit, we at Sundberg-Ferar are excited to be at the hub of production, innovation, and creative power as Detroit continues to gain momentum and shape the sustainable future of industry worldwide.