Finding Sustainability. The Personal and Professional Journey of a Plastic Bag Manufacturer

by Trent A. Romer

What if the foundation of your family business were threatened by something out of your control? What if the livelihood of 70 employees and their families were at stake, as the license to operate your business became called into question? What if 57 years of family history, grown through generations of hard work and sacrifice, were at risk of being lost? What if the reasons were actually one with which you fundamentally agreed? Journey to 8 states, 3 national parks and 3 countries to experience the life-changing education and adventures that led Trent A. Romer to finding sustainability for his plastic bag manufacturing business and himself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2021

About the author

Trent Romer is a sustainability leader, author, and TEDx speaker who has spent 30 years in the plastic bag manufacturing industry before serving as a sustainability operating partner for a private equity firm focused on environmental, social, and governance issues. His latest book, This Is Our Home, is a cautionary yet inspiring tale to take personal action in the fight against the planet’s destruction.

Romer draws on two clear experiences that motivated his own journey toward sustainability. The first was as co-owner of Clear View Bag Co., Inc, founded in 1961 by his grandfather. When the 2017 anti-plastic narrative swept the globe, Romer realized it was time to find an eco-friendly alternative to the manufacturing process. The second was childhood memories growing up near Nassau Lake, a once beautiful body of water turned polluted by a nearby toxic dump. These pivotal periods in Romer’s life led him to discover and enable tangible, personal methods to encourage nature preservation and environmental sustainability.

Romer has earned sustainability certificates in Corporate Sustainability Management Risk, Profit and Purpose from Yale University and Education for Sustainability Leadership from Harvard University. He obtained his undergrad in economics at Hamilton College and a master’s in education and an MBA from the University at Albany. In 2022, Romer spoke at TEDxBoston, a year after completing Climate Reality Leadership Training. He authored Finding Sustainability, a “gold winner” in the Non-Fiction Book Awards.

When Romer isn’t writing, speaking, or working with companies to find their own sustainability path, you can find him by the ocean, exploring a national park, watching basketball, or taking long bike rides in nature. He is guided by his faith, passionate about the planet, and dedicated to his wife, three boys, and their beloved dog, Bear. Romer lives with his family outside of Albany, NY.

Learn more at www.trentromer.com

Reviews

[Jay Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Trent set out to write a personal memoir he also created a brilliant business best practices book. Finding Sustainability is a roadmap for any small business that is feeling the pressure of changing forces out of their control. It’s an antidote to Clayton Christiansen’s Innovator’s Dilemma, proving that real change in a mature company is not just possible but can strengthen the business and its employees. Small (and particularly family) business owners in any industry can apply these lessons to changes forced on them from technological, secular or environmental changes.

That is not meant to put down the personal nature of this transformation, however. Trent’s ownership of the company’s contribution to an ecological problem is sincere and motivates the journey for far more than just financial reasons.

It is rare today to see public displays of faith in corporate life without feeling like there’s an ulterior motive. Trent is unabashedly proud of connecting family and faith in his business. That pride translates to a sense of responsibility for all the stakeholders in Clear View Bag - not just the immediate family but the employees and customers as well.

Who would not want to work for this leader? He values the people he employs, their input and has a real appreciation for family time and the true reason people come to work everyday. Even including a simple paragraph about the impact of vacation time on the company goals shows where Trent’s heart and head are focused.

I hope to see updates on the impact Trent's journey has on this company, the industry and the author himself.

[Rianna]

33/52 books read in 2021.
Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Review to come.

[Readbyheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

•The cover of the book is soothing and relaxing. The title makes it apparent what kind of information it will deliver. It's a business book in the nonfiction genre.

•The author's personal and professional journey to find sustainability and protect his family's business is the subject. It's about the turbulence that threatens the company's basic foundation. The author was a third-generation co-owner of his grandfather's plastic bag manufacturing business, which he started in 1961. He was in charge of approximately 70 people. Due to the lack of sustainability in his company's out product, his license to operate his business was revoked. His employees, their families, and his family's 57 years of dedication and sacrifice were all on the line. His journey across eight states, three national parks, and three countries resulted in life-changing lessons and adventures, helped him achieve long-term sustainability for both his organization and himself.

•To find a solution to this issue, the author took a risk and went beyond his comfort zones. This book instructs us to seek answers throughout our most difficult or crucial times and never accept failure. His experience inspires us and serves as a wake-up call. He teaches us that even minor adjustments can result in significant improvements.

•Perfect book for small business owners who wish to make a difference in their industry. for The book is well-written and simultaneously thought-provoking and engaging. His path is both instructive and inspiring. He showed that effective corporate expansion and environmental health could coexist. It's a comfort read book . This book provides a framework for transforming our passion into vision and vision into action. Get this book now to explore and implement his way of thinking so that our profits should not become dangerous for our mother nature and future generations.

•The emotions expressed through words and the writing skills of the author is impressive. The depth of words is maintained throughout the book. RECOMMENDED ? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, GO GRAB THIS BOOK NOW !!

[Abhigyan Sanyal · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is sustainability? Why is it so important that some random person had to write an entire book on it, aren't there more important topics to be discussed by authors right now? Well to answer that and more, here is the thing. Sustainability is the use of resources in a way that enough remains for the generations to come instead of leaving them with just stale air and dug up grounds. Sustenance is a major issue in the world of today where we are exhausting our fossil fuel supply and mining minerals like there is no tomorrow. People might call it a business but those minerals and resources took millennia to form, so apparently, if we keep using those like we are now then soon our lush green watery planet will be nothing more than what the moon looks like now.

Now that we have some Idea of Sustenance and Sustainability, let us peek into this book which talks a lot about it and more in terms of the journey by this man who found himself in the position to either chose the bread he earns or the earth he wants. The life of a plastic manufacturer. Plagued by the 2017 cover page of a magazine depicting the doom that is plastic, this businessman who has been in the job for generations has to choose between sustaining his and everybody's earth or his life and wages of thousands.

The book is written with a beautiful hand, describing the life and anxieties of the plastics manufacturer, it takes us through the phases he has been through, first educating himself on what can be done, on researching about what many people are doing. With countless management and sustainability courses and taking feedbacks from a few how this person came across the circular business model. How to person divulges to learn about a replacement for plastic and use them for the better. This and a lot more while this is not only a book but a learning experience and also a call to action. This is a sort of life journey with a lot of instances patched up in rief format. If you are looking to read such a journey then this is for you.

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting take on the current plastic pollution issue from an individual who is on the front line of the war.

While I have mixed feelings about this book, being an environmentalist book coming from a plastic bag manufacturer, it is good to see steps being made and options being created for customers to become more eco-conscious. While clearly the best option is to find a similarly durable material that is compostable or biodegradable, or simple due away with plastic bags like some countries have already successfully done. While some grocery stores do offer Zero waste bulk options in the United States, (these are more specialty and may be harder to find), there are a few other options that could be discussed to curb plastic usage.

One particular example that rather ground my gears, was the justification of bread wrapping, being more that a one-use type of plastic. While it does contain Marketing, Protection, and Facility origin, it still is a one use type of plastic, it may be "MULTI-PURPOSE" but is still most definitely a single-use plastic. That would be like justifying plastic sporks and saying that they are ok to use because they are both a spoon and a fork, even if its just for use in one meal.

While the author does bring up good points of environmental sustainability, it seems almost like a lost cause being a producer of the problem, and while teaching his company environmental literacy, and offering customers more 'Earth-Friendly' options, it feels like a book to clear ones own conscious. There are also a few points where God and Faith are mentioned about halfway through, with a couple of bible verses to match, and I almost put the book down then because I wasn't sure what direction it was going to take.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometime early in my reading of this book, I felt in my gut I had encountered a classic masterpiece! I'm not sure what compelled me to pick up this book, but that's true about many books I read. I simply felt like it was something I needed to read at that moment, and I'm very glad I did.

A must read book for the concerned. Trent brings forth, without ever putting on alarmist garbs, all the horrors of the self destruction that we have undertaken against ourselves by damaging the environment . It is not the facts or the issues that is important, it is the attitude that the author endorses. This book is a journey of a plastic bag manufacturer. I found this book very knowledgeable as it has cleared my facts and concepts. I also realised the importance of Sustainability.

This is an important and engaging novel, one that should be read by all who care about the future of the planet and humanity’s role in its preservation. I found Trent’s ideas intriguing, and he certainly gave me a lot to think about. Don't pick this up expecting a sci-fi thriller filled with non-stop action (although don’t get me wrong, it does have its moments!), but if you are a reader who appreciates the emotional implications of the end of the world, I think you’ll enjoy this. No doubt the author is too intelligent to write this masterpiece. The book can be a warning or hope for the problem we are facing in the present day. I enjoyed reading this book put together by Trent and found it interesting and thought provoking.

[Eve Schaub · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book. Yes, Romer should get some credit for creating an initiative at his plastic bag company to reduce waste and offer recycled plastic options. But beyond this, many of his points are misleading and border on irresponsible. For example:

-He argues that recycled plastic is part of the "circular economy" even though, unlike metal or glass, plastic is not infinitely recyclable. It will still ultimately end up at the landfill.

-He repeats the old saw that developing countries have the worst plastic pollution, without acknowledging that since 2018, the US has been dumping our plastic "recyclables" on impoverished countries that lack the infrastructure to prevent it. (See the documentary: The Story of Plastic.)

-He mentions "chemical recycling" as a source of "hope" without explaining that chemical recycling is most often a euphemism for burning plastic.

-He argues that plastic bread bags aren't single use.

-He enthuses about Starbucks' Seattle Tasting Room but somehow neglects to mention the ecological nightmare represented by Starbucks' annual 6 BILLION disposable coffee cups.

I could go on. Suffice it to say that Romer did some homework, but clearly not enough, and although his story may be well-intentioned, it is neither accurate nor compelling.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, it's a unique pov. I never really think of companies as small business with employees, I feel sort of bad about the plastic bad dilemma. I tried to give them up over 18 years ago. Then I adopted a cat. I was told, bt the waste department that I had to dispose of cat litter in PLASTIC BAGS tightly closed! So started my collecting the things from every friend and family member. I routinely toss out 6 filled bags a week, of cat litter , and my own trash (why buy trash bags,when these work as well?). I was just being conscience of the environment. Prior to my cats, I tried to avoid plastic bags at all costs, preferring reusable cloth or paper. Just before covid struck, plastic bags were being banned all over the place and I was panicking- how would I dispose of cat litter?!? Then covid struck and all bets were off. Plastic bags got a reprieve. Good and bad. There has to be a way to reign in plastics in our world. I like the ideas Mr. Romer came up with in this book. I also liked learning about the history of the
plastic bag. Who knew it was meant to be used over and over again to save the trees?! Interesting read from inside the industry.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to win a copy of Finding Sustainability last week. In this book, Trent Romer writes about his experience running a family owned plastic bag manufacturing company and the ways he learns about sustainability and tries to incorporate sustainable practices in his business. Beautiful descriptions of time spent in nature with friends and family, from Yosemite to the Adirondacks, and all the way to Amsterdam, are interspersed throughout the story. These stories provide a glimpse at some of the people, places, and experiences that have inspired Romer on his journey to sustainability.

I feel like any small business owner ready to tackle the challenge of moving toward sustainability can learn from this book. However, the lessons offered throughout this book and focus on nature, faith, and family can apply to any reader. We must all do our part if we want to steer toward a more sustainable society. As Romer writes, “...one thread, if pulled, potentially affects the larger fabric.” Throughout the book, he acknowledges the business’s responsibility to offer sustainable options and provide education to their consumers about their use. We all must take responsibility and appreciate the fact that our actions affect our neighbors, the world, and future generations.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb for Finding Sustainability is exceptionally good. It starts with three questions that are of interest to many business owners. Then it adds a kicker which is about who you are and what you personally believe in.

The great thing about it is that it wraps a ‘how to’ book in a great narrative. Mr Romer took a step by step approach to researching the problems and solutions. Then he educated himself to do something about it. Then he describes the process in making changes in his organisation–these are all patterns for use by others.

At first I found his anecdotes (which start each chapter) a little homespun. He describes holidays in the wilderness, travels with his wife and family, the beauty of the world. As the book developed I realised they were illustrations of what Mr Romer wants to keep for future generations. Connecting his own experiences to the evidence of what we are doing to the planet makes a personal document. It becomes something most of us will relate to, even if we don’t run a business.

Mr Romer is not a professional writer, sometimes the phrasing or arrangement might be a little unusual. But it’s a very readable book. And it has led me to a question:

If people like Mr Romer want to sell more sustainable products (not damaging ones), he needs consumers to demand them. How can I do that?

Like Mr Romer, I want future generations to enjoy the planet. As a result of this book, I have an action plan. I will work out what plastic I am using, and how it fits within the categories Mr Romer describes. Then: how am I going to change from non-recyclable to something better?

Buy this book: act on it: save the planet.

[Pablo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book. Reading this book means not having to read so many others. For example, you could avoid having to read, Sway, Blink, Nudge and probably a dozen or so other books on Behavioural Economics. And the best part of it is that this is Trent’s personal and professional account!

Unlike so many memoirs, it’s not an equally balanced arc through Trent’s life. It’s not an ego gratifying display of his awesomeness, heavily weighted in the success of the company and all the amazing things that went on around that. It’s an incredible story.

Trent covers all of it in detail. The ups and the downs. The many downs. The moments where he felt like he could lose it all. His personal struggles as a leader.

Good writing about complex topics is very, very difficult, and Trent has corraled 30+ years of science and family history, his career and all he has learned into a perfectly arranged sequence that leads the reader into a wilderness... provisioning you in each chapter with the tools you'll need for the next part of the journey.

This is an important book. Humanity would be much improved if these insights could percolate through society and really take hold. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trent tells the story of how the succes of his company Clear View Bag Co. has forced him to invent a whole and balanced way of doing business. He takes a longer term view focused on real sustainability and in doing so he does does away with conventional business paradigms where the goal is growth at any cost.

Personally this book has persuaded me that conservation of nature and the last pieces of wilderness is important and that the resources we consume should be in balance with the planet harvested organically and sustainably. In business the example of Clear View Bag Co. has strengthened my resolve to be in business myself.

Trent shares his Zen inspired life philosophies and how he incorporates his desire to do good into his business practices. I was inspired and humbled when reading this and forced to re-think my very American consumer habits.

Trent Romer has a very pragmatic, introspective, and unclouded approach to problem solving that will benefit everyone. Ted is an extremely smart person, and it's nice to see someone with his perspicacity and concern for others and the environment.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 5 out of 5]

☕ This book made me a better person, I can say this because this changed something in me, that makes me more stronger and motivates me to keep faith in what I pursue. This is such a well written and well built book which focuses on authors journey, it's about how things were turned upside down and how they got back in place but in a way that's sustainable. It's a power punch read for everyone who thinks their business is falling apart, it's not a guide but his journey is so appealing and I loved his devotion.
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Every time, I restarted reading it, I felt like the author is actually there and having a conversation with me about his life and journey, that's the speciality of his writing, it's straight forward and very impactful. Not the just content that's great but the way you get along with author in his journey is amazing, what Trent did, for his belief and better of our environment needs a lot of dedication. This book also teaches so much about life, which is again very strong and came quite naturally to me as a reader.
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Overall, I feel I was pumped up so well by it and I highly recommend it.
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Rating: 4.5⭐️

[Sophia Palermo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This book provides and interesting perspective of a plastic bag manufacturing company trying to shift to include sustainability policies. As a Sustainability analyst, this is a huge part of my career, helping companies shift to invest in green infrastructure and policies. I usually see large companies making this shift to try and make themselves look good, or from push from stakeholders or staff. I found it refreshing to hear from Romer's perspective as the owner of his company, as he knows what he produces can harm the environment. He breaks this book up into little segments that are easy to follow, and you can follow his own learnings through time. This book falls short with a lot of repetition, and not much depth though. I wish he would go into more details about his learnings and what initiatives his company takes besides the surface level explanations on what the term biodegradable and Post-Consumer-Plastics mean and how they are used in his business.

Overall, this is a great read if you know nothing about sustainability in business, but as an environmental engineer working in sustainability, this was just a fun read.

[Prashant Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This pandemic became the doom for many businesses and family. A lot of businessmen got in huge debt and have to ultimately close down the years or even generations worth of business. This pandemic is one of the thing which is beyond human control. Similarly, the banning plastics will only devastate those businesses relating to it and it’s beyond one’s control.

However, this book isn’t supporting anything that is against the environment but this book is author’s personal experience where he tells a story that how his plastic bag manufacturing business got down and how it got affected due to several things that were outside his control.

This book will take you on a journey as how the author will find a balance between his business amidst all this and will come back on his feet again. This book is the best in the market if you wanna know about how to sustain your business when everything is working against you. I highly recommend this to all of the entrepreneurs and business owners. MUST BUY.

[Funboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed Review Of "Finding Sustainability" By Trent A. Romer

Genre - Non Fiction

Ratings 4.5/5

Finding Sustainability is an amazing book and this book will really help you in understanding of concepts which will lead to success in your profession.

You can learn so many lessons from this and author has provided great learning in a very subtle way which just make it's perfect.

The language of the book is simple and easy to read. The writing style of the author is also pretty simple and error free.

The spotlight for me is the cover of the book, I really loved it. It just look so amazing with great detailing.

Title of the book is very nice and it's a highlight for me. Author has narrated this story very nicely.

Moreover it's an amazing read and I really loved it. I highly recommend this book to all.

[Michelle Lamude · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fascinating read.
This is a thought-provoking book and shows why it's vital that more of us understand what a circular economy is and why we all need to play our part to adopt this system across the globe.
This is one business owners open and honest journey to learn more and find sustainable ways to ensure his business can adopt, change and survive in an anti-plastic world.
The author travels around the world talking to industry leaders, scholars and experts as he searches for solutions and alternative resources, materials and processes.
This non-fiction book is very relevant to all business owners. As well as sharing his learning the author's writing is motivational as he and his staff experiment and adopt new ways of working. They soon see quick wins, real business progress and customer encouragement as they embark on a more sustainable business model for the future.

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this is very middle of the road read for me. I would have liked this more in a condensed article I think. Definitely would have made for a great thesis. Lots of good perspective provided from the author but and bad structure in the book itself in my opinion. I am happy that publishers are not afraid to push these books and I am happy to have been able to read it and also happy these narratives are out there for the laymen to access. Hopefully we can get closer to finding a way to reign in plastics in our world through continued publication of works like this. I like the ideas Mr. Romer came up with in this book and expanding my perspective of the history of plastic. Interesting overall and would recommend to those trying to understand more about sustainability.

[Chanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very satisfying read on small-business sustainability, set against the backdrop of the human-earth relationship and outdoor recreation! A good balance of academic and business professional, Romer's writing is accessible, thoughtful, and genuine. Informative and quick to get through, it promotes positive sustainable business practices and provides a concise blueprint for organizational adoption. I was surprised how much the chapter on Romer's Christian faith resonated, with those values presented alongside secular ideas to guide personal and business decisions. It was also nice to get an insiders look at packaging materials and their manufacture. Valuable for anyone interested in making small and large changes for the health of our communities and planet. 

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not a long read, but there is a lot to digest with it.

The journey to a more sustainable life is not easy for anyone, but Trent Romer was determined to start that journey. However he had a bigger hurdle than most, he owns a plastic bag manufacturing company. Finding Sustainability is his story of the journey he took. There is a lot of educational aspects to the book, which Romer says is one critical need in order to make a sustainability shift.

I am an eco-nerd. I try to live as sustainably as I am able to, so I was instantly drawn to this book. And after reading it I am reassured in my efforts to take care of the earth as a whole and my immediate community.

[Sharon Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed thoughts about this book. On the one hand Trent is a plastic bag manufacturer and on the other he is writing about sustainability when single use plastic is a major cause of pollution .
I did enjoy his thoughts and time spent in nature and with his family.. He also is trying to reduce the impact of his business on the environment and seems like a good boss to have. and cares about the planet.
We are dedicated recyclers and try to reduce our use of plastics.
Education is the key to sustainability and Trent has educated himself to reduce impact of his business.
3.5 Stars ⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give up all ideas about yourself , what you meant to be and simply be." The value of this book cannot be overstated I hold my copy very close and dear. From the perspective of sheer knowledge this book wastes no paper. This book doesn't waste your time. After reading the book it feels that layers and layers of pessimism has just peeled over and what remains is the infinite growing mindset , courage. The reader will find all the answers. One sincere advice, please read it slowly, one chapter at a time. It will be easy to grasp that way.

All and all this is an amazing book written by an amazing author.

Highly Recommended!

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author does a great job of explaining sustainability and its impact. He describes his education on the subject, the actions he has taken, and their results in a simple and practical manner. Through his own experiences, he shows how he has adopted a more sustainable lifestyle and the effects this has had on both his business and personal life. Using sustainability as the bridge between his faith and his business, he has discovered a remarkable, profitable and ethical path forward. Trent leads by example and through this book you can learn how to do so too!

[The Reviewera · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very rare for a book to have its knowledge live beyond the pages, and at the same time let it transcend its own genre into something else. Finding Sustainability does that, and more.
Five Stars read for me.

One of the best books I have read this month!
Highly recommend it! I only leave positive feedback and reviews when I love the book.
Feel free to ask anything regarding this book.
A must read for sure.
I'd recommend this book to everyone who would like to read a good Literature.
The book is written in a very interesting way.
A must read for sure

[JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in sustainability. The journey Trent and his company is taking is relevant to all industries and companies. In this book Trent speaks to all of the challenges his company has faced in positioning it as a leader in implementing sustainable practices. With those challenges come many successes, as well as an organizational clarity of purpose that is guiding Clear View Bag's future.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who has worked as a sustainability advisor for several start-ups and companies, I thought this would be a perfect find. It's filled with a lot of knowledge but more for small businesses or individuals running their own company on a small scale. Definitely has a lot of great advice and information and we could all learn as much as possible about how to live a sustainable life whether you run a company or not!

[Jin Mulan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with this one.

Part business book, part memoir, this was an engaging read that details a family business at the crossroads of the sustainability movement.

I found it to be engaging and vulnerable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn more about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle to protect the future generations!

[Alanna Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved that a manufacturer who makes something so disposable has seen the problem and is actively trying to solve his part in it whilst also looking out for the interest of his employees and his business. Good luck to him.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Learning about more sustainability practice for business was interesting. I thought the book was well written and easy to understand. It is as laid out in an easy way as well. Trent story is one that was very interesting and I can relate to aspects of it.

[Marco Oriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read! Case study on how a company made its way towards sustainability.