This Week:

✅ New CES Report: Plastics Demand Steady, Equipment Sales Lag

✅ Governor Newsom to Restart Regulatory Negotiations for SB 54
✅ ICYMI: Polystyrene Recycling Alliance 

✅ 10 Years of the FLiP Mentorship Program

✅ Mark Your Calendar 
✅ Welcome New PLASTICS Members

📢 New CES Report: Plastics Demand Steady, Equipment Sales Lag

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released the Committee on Equipment Statistics’ (CES) Q4 2024 report, authored by Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda.

🔹 Key Takeaways:
✅ U.S. plastics demand remains stable.
📉 Weaker-than-expected demand for primary plastics equipment.
💰 Fed rate cuts still projected for 2025.
🌎 Trade policy clarity could reduce industry uncertainty.

📖 Read the full report: Click here

📢 Plastics Industry Association Responds to Governor Newsom’s Directive to Restart SB 54 Regulatory Negotiations

🔹 What’s happening: California Governor Gavin Newsom has directed CalRecycle to restart regulatory negotiations for SB 54.

🗣️ PLASTICS President & CEO Matt Seaholm says:

"Governor Newsom’s decision to restart the regulatory process for SB 54 highlights the significant challenges in its original implementation for consumers, recyclers, and businesses. The Governor’s directive presents a critical opportunity for California policymakers to develop a workable recycling framework that incorporates industry expertise and meets environmental objectives, ensuring economic feasibility and global competitiveness. Achievable, balanced policies require collaboration—not rushed regulations that create unintended consequences for Californians while failing to advance real sustainability solutions. The plastics industry remains committed to working with Governor Newsom and policymakers to craft practical, effective regulations that drive economic growth, foster innovation, and enhance circularity.”

🔍 Why it matters: A collaborative, well-structured approach to SB 54 is crucial for effective recycling solutions, economic stability, and innovation in sustainability.

➡️ What’s next: PLASTICS will continue working with policymakers to ensure that new regulations support both environmental and economic goals.

📢 ICYMI: Polystyrene Recycling Alliance Launches to Expand Recycling Access

🔹 What’s happening: The Plastics Industry Association announced the formation of the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) to expand access and increase recycling rates for polystyrene (PS and EPS) across the U.S.

♻️ Why it matters: Achieving “widely recyclable” status will allow more Americans to recycle polystyrene products like food packaging and medical supplies, reducing waste and boosting circularity.

🔍 By the numbers:
📌 32% of the U.S. population currently has access to recycle at least one polystyrene item.
📌 2030 goal: Bring more polystyrene formats to “widely recyclable” status.

🚀 What’s next:
✔️ PSRA is working with recyclers, communities, and waste facilities to expand collection and improve infrastructure.
✔️ A new recycling investment and education fund will accelerate progress across North America.

🔗 Learn more: Polystyrene Recycling Alliance website
🎥 Watch: The Roadmap to a Sustainable Future here

📰 Read the full press release at PLASTICS Newsroom: Click here

🎉 PLASTICS Celebrates 10 Years of the FLiP Mentorship Program!

🔟 A decade of mentorship: PLASTICS is proud to celebrate 10 years of the FLiP Mentorship Program, which has connected rising professionals with industry leaders, fostering career growth, lifelong connections, and the next generation of plastics innovators.

🤝 Why it matters: Over the past decade, this program has helped countless professionals expand their networks, gain industry insights, and navigate their careers. As we mark this milestone, we invite you to be part of its next chapter.

🚀 Join the next cycle:
✔️ Mentors: Share your expertise and shape the future.
✔️ Mentees: Gain guidance and take your career to the next level.

📅 Apply by April 11 

📢 How to join: The FLiP Mentorship Program is a PLASTICS membership benefit—apply now and start making meaningful connections!

📩 Have questions? Contact Jake Martin via email.

Mark Your Calendar

👀 Headed to the Plastics Recycling Conference, March 24-26? Visit us at Booth 839 to explore PLASTICS' recycling initiatives & Booth 847 to learn how Operation Clean Sweep® is supporting resin loss prevention. See you there! ♻️

🎤 Kellyanne Conway is the keynote speaker at PLASTICS' Spring Meeting & Fly-In, April 7-9, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Learn more and register here.

🛍️ FLEXFORUM 2025 | April 22–24, 2025 | Orlando, FL. The definitive event where industry professionals gather to reshape the world of polyethylene films, flexible plastics, and single-use packaging. Learn More.

📅 Registration is now open for the 2025 Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) Annual Meeting! Join industry colleagues to discuss key CES projects, action items, and gain exclusive economic insights from PLASTICS Chief Economist, Perc Pineda, PhD. Register here. Must be a CES Member to participate. Questions? Contact Madeline Kramer.

Welcome New PLASTICS Members

Freepoint Eco-Systems Holdings LLC – Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Freepoint is dedicated to advancing renewable solutions for plastic waste and promoting a circular economy. Their advanced recycling process utilizes high-temperature reactors that vaporize plastic waste in an oxygen-free environment, transforming the resulting liquid into new plastic products. Additionally, Freepoint’s systems incorporate pyrolysis technology, further reducing the amount of plastic waste directed to landfills.

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