Molly Blessing
Molly Blessing is a chemist with experience in corporate product stewardship, global chemical regulation, and green chemistry. As Vice President, Sustainability & Product Stewardhip, Molly leads HCPA’s sustainability efforts. She also serves as the Division Staff Executive for the Air Care Products Division.
Prior to joining HCPA, Molly was a Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs Specialist Lead for Adhesive Technologies at Henkel, where she served as a subject matter expert on product stewardship and TSCA. She also served as an Assistant Regulatory Chemist at Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. and interned with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Green Chemistry Program. Molly has a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut, a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University with a concentration in Energy and the Environment, and an M.S. in Product Stewardship from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Tuesday Dec 8
Joint Government Relations and Sustainability & Product Stewardship Council Special Session | EPR Focus
One of the most significant expansions of the U.S. recycling system in decades is underway, with packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws enacted in seven states.
This session will begin with a fireside chat featuring Paul Nowak, Executive Director of GreenBlue, the environmental nonprofit behind initiatives such as the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and How2Recycle. Drawing on his extensive experience, Paul will explore how evolving sustainable packaging policies are reshaping business practices; the critical role of consumer behavior in achieving recycling goals; and opportunities for industry collaboration to drive material innovation, strengthen consumer engagement, and address emerging cost challenges.
Moderator:
Molly Blessing, Vice President, Sustainability & Product Stewardship, HCPA
Speaker:
Paul Nowak, Executive Director, GreenBlue
The second half of the session will feature a panel discussion moderated by Reverse Logistics Group (RLG), bringing together industry representatives to examine the practical implications of packaging EPR implementation. Panelists will discuss strategies for integrating EPR into business operations, leveraging packaging data to inform decision making, evaluating investments in innovative packaging solutions, and engaging consumers to support successful implementation.
Moderator:
Tina Nguyen, Business Development Manager, RLG
Speakers:
Rebecca Kaufold, Manager of Government Affairs & Sustainability, Spartan Chemical Company
Meghan Lieb, Vice President, Global Research & Development, WD-40
Mary Ellen Roddy, Vice President, Corporate Regulatory, PLZ Corp