Finding Efficiencies and Cost Reductions in a Localized Plastics Recycling Value Chain

Martin Vogt started his career over 30 years ago in Germany, where in 1998 he designed and installed the first curbside film processing line for his father’s company. In the following years, he was the Lead Engineer, developing and operating fully automated mixed plastics and film processing systems at Vogt-plastic GmbH in Germany.

In 2006, Martin moved to Canada and founded EFS-plastics Inc. Currently, he is the President & CEO of the EFS-plastics Group of companies, one of the leading post-consumer plastic recyclers in North America, operating in 4 different locations across Canada and the US, with more than 160 employees.

Crystal Howe, is the Director of Sustainability for the Ice River family of companies. Ice River is a vertically integrated manufacturer, recycler, brand owner and innovator that specializes in the design and production of sustainable products and packaging that help support the growing circular economy in Canada.  With a background in organic farming and a passion for business with a purpose, Crystal drives sustainability best practices within the organization, the community and with their supplier and customer partners.  She has championed many initiatives in areas of recycling, zero waste to landfill, Operation Clean Sweep, energy reduction, and manufacturing efficiencies to minimize the environmental impact and maximize the effectiveness of the business.  Crystal also collaborates with various government and non government groups to promote positive action for the health of our planet.

Cher is the Managing Director of the Canada Plastics Pact (CPP), which is focused on convening key stakeholders within the plastics value chain to advance a circular economy for plastics in Canada. CPP’s purpose is to keep the right plastics in the economy, and all plastics out of people, animals and nature.

Prior to CPP, Cher was the founder and CEO of Provision Coalition Inc., a food system sustainability consultancy, which was acquired by Anthesis Group. Cher’s career also included time with the Guelph Food Technology Centre (now NSF International) where she established and directed the Sustainability Consulting Business Unit, and she has held several executive positions in environmental economics and policy at the research think tank, George Morris Centre.