Connect with Rachel Petropoulos on LinkedIn.
We believe it’s important to know who you’re working with.
We are happy to introduce Rachel Petropoulos to the team as Sustainability Specialist. We asked her some questions to get a glimpse into her role and what makes her excited for this position.
What do you do at CIFT?
I facilitate CIFT’s role in the Sustainable Food & Packaging Initiative (SFPI), which is a consortium based here in Ohio of packaging professionals, academic researchers, and material converters working to reduce food and packaging waste. I also contribute services focusing on sustainability strategies in waste, water, and energy management for manufacturers.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
In a single word, I would say “waste” – whether it’s the waste of materials, natural resources, or labor, among other things. Professionally and personally, it has been a passion of mine to work in the fields of energy management, waste diversion, recycling education, and data analysis of these systems.
I find immense satisfaction in delving into metrics that drive process improvements and contribute to progress in carbon reduction and responsible material management.
What has been your favorite project/initiative so far? Or what do you like the most about CIFT?
It has been exciting to be at the forefront of packaging transitions, and that the global conversations around packaging waste are relevant to companies of all sizes in our region. For circularity to be a real thing, it will take establishing regional, state, and national partnerships in the food processing, packaging, waste reduction, and material management sectors. CIFT is making that happen.
What’s one thing you want people to know about your role, service or CIFT?
I know I will be learning each and every time I walk into a manufacturing facility. I am excited to establish relationships and connections that will further the mission of CIFT and serve our clients with top notch services.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Garbology has been a discipline I’ve been involved with for decades. I’ve done bin audits, deep dumpster dives, move-out waste diversions on a college campus and designed waste and recycling collection stations, along with educational graphics and guidelines.
