Our sister paper Automotive News has a daily podcast checking in with leaders from throughout the supply chain, which means you get a lot of different takes on what’s happening in the car world.The July 15 edition also touches on plastics as Patrick Clark, the global manufacturing chief for Novi, Mich.-based Cooper Standard Automotive Inc., spoke about accessing needed materials and the insights available when you listen to employees.”About 18 months ago, we started a project to really get deeper and better knowledge of our supply partners and engage the supply base,” Clark said. “We wanted to do what we needed to increase our strategic alignment. So whether it’s around logistics risks that we’re talking about or labor concerns that they’re having or even cost reduction ideas.”When the pandemic hit, followed by material shortages due to the February winter storm in Texas, Cooper Standard was able to lean into those supply chain connections.”We had a resin shortage coming out of the Texas issues where we were unable to get a material for an injection mold that that produces a number of our connectors for our tube assemblies,” Clark said. “So it could have been a high risk to not just ourselves, but … to our customers and on to a domino effect, so we did identify an alternative with the supplier.”We worked together to produce samples to validate that material gain approval from our customers and we turned it around,” he said. “We turned it into a win-win-win for Cooper Standard, our supplier and our customer.”Clark also talks about other key issues facing the industry, from chip shortages to labor recruitment. . If you’ve got a dog, you’ve done your fair share of cleanups during walks. A United Kingdom-based group is encouraging dog owners to pick up even more trash when they’re out on walkies.Dog Desk Animal Action has set Sept. 6-13 as Dogs V Litter days, encouraging pet parents to help clean up their neighborhoods.The Ashbourne, England, group says that trash spoils our enjoyment of the countryside while also having the potential of harming both pets and wildlife.”Dog walkers are often affected when their dogs tread on glass from broken bottles or eat something that makes them unwell,” Dog Desk Animal Action Director Michelle Robertson said in a news release. “We are not just clearing the mess up but sending a very clear message that the responsible dog walking community will not tolerate littering.”You can . And if you see Editor Don Loepp and his pooch Piper (above) out on your walk, say hello! If you don’t have a dog and you happen to go through Bristol, England, you can also do your part to clean up the community, while also floating on a boat made with 99 percent recycled plastics.The “Seacycler” is a 12-seat punt donated by education consultants Sustainable Hive. It will take people out on “Plastic fishing trips” to raise awareness of ocean plastics and pollution, .”Seacycler will not only provide young people in Bristol with the opportunity to learn about some of the challenges we face, but also give them the opportunity to play their part and help keep our waterways clean,” said James Pitcher, the head of sustainability for Bunzl plc, which helped fund the project along with Danone UK & Ireland. “That’s why we’re delighted to be supporting this engaging initiative.” Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you’d like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at Staying current is easy with Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. Subscribe to Plastics News Plastics News covers the business of the global plastics industry. We report news, gather data and deliver timely information that provides our readers with a competitive advantage.Customer Service: