Nearly 120 plastics officials came together at Sustain '08 to learn green "best practices" and discuss sustainability issues that directly affect the bottom line. Two dozen experts in both sustainable business and the plastics industry led sessions covering topics such as green design, marketing and greenwashing, energy management, supply-chain consequences and the impact on end markets such as healthcare devices, electronics, automotive, construction and packaging.

Opening keynoter Andrew Winston, co-author of the best-selling book "From Green to Gold" gave a powerful talk on what works — and what doesn't — when going green.

Attendees and presenters alike also mixed and mingled at two evening receptions, breakfasts, lunches and breaks, sharing insights, making contacts and offering support for a more sustainable future.

We plan to post the available speaker presentations as well as related news stories on this Web site shortly. Beginning the week of Nov. 24, we also will begin rolling out a series of video clips — one video per week — based on speaker presentations and interviews at Sustain '08, so check back regularly.