This Week:

🚨 E.U. Eyes Plastics in Tariff Retaliation

♻️ Recycling Legislation Gets a Boost

🎤 FlexForum: New Sessions Announced

🏆 PLASTICS Names the 2025 Cleanup Champions

📜  FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summit

👉 ICYMI: PLASTICS at Plastics Recycling Conference

✅ Mark Your Calendar

E.U. Eyes Plastics in Tariff Retaliation

What’s happening:
The European Union may hit U.S. plastics and resins with new tariffs in response to U.S. steel and aluminum duties enacted on March 12.

Why it matters:
This puts $5.9B in U.S. plastics exports to the EU at risk—plus a $1.6B trade surplus built on 2024 numbers.

The details:

• EU is reviewing 1,708 products for possible tariffs
• Includes 60 resin and plastic products at the 8-digit HTS level
• Public comment period was open until March 26 (Brussels time)
• U.S. equipment and mold makers using EU steel/aluminum are already impacted

What’s next:
We’re monitoring developments and will share updates as they come.

📰 Read the full press release

♻️ Recycling Legislation Gets a Boost

What’s new:

PLASTICS and ACC's America’s Plastic Makers® are applauding new legislation aimed at modernizing U.S. recycling infrastructure.

The details:

• Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the STEWARD Act to drive recycling innovation.
• Reps. Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (RIAA)—a key part of that effort.

Why it matters:
These bills will:
✅ Expand recycling access in rural & underserved areas
✅ Improve curbside collection
✅ Support local job creation
✅ Strengthen public-private partnerships

What’s next:
PLASTICS and America’s Plastic Makers will continue working with lawmakers and partners to advance these important measures.  Notably, we will be advocating on Capitol Hill during the Plastic Industry Fly-In on April 9 to advance these and other important measures. 

📖 Read the full report: Click here

FLEXFORUM: NEW SESSIONS ANNOUNCED

At FlexForum (April 22–24, Orlando, FL), we're diving into the future of flexible packaging with must-attend session on the evolving world of flexible film. From consumer perspectives to the regulatory environment, this event is packed with must-attend sessions! 

• Dan Felton (Flexible Packaging Association) and Patrick Krieger (Plastics Industry Association) will break down key regulatory issues like Extended Producer Responsibility.
• Sam Schlaich (Novolex) will share perspectives on End Markets
• Dave Nunes (Alpine American) opens up on manufacturing innovations allowing for single polymer extruded products

Walk away with insights to guide your strategy, ensure compliance, and support sustainability.

🚩 Register Now at FlexForum 2025.

2025 Cleanup Champions Announced

PLASTICS has named its 2025 Cleanup Champions—member companies leading the way in community cleanups and environmental action.

The initiative is powered by the Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) Community Impact Task Group, encouraging companies to use our Guide to Planning a Litter Cleanup and make a difference in 2025.

🏆 Meet the 8 Cleanup Champions

Interested in joining? Email sustainability@plasticsindustry.org to find out how your company can become a Cleanup Champion.

Explore food packaging regulation and the resulting innovation at the 2025 Spring Packaging Summit hosted by the PLASTICS’ Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Packaging Materials Committee (FDCPMC).

This year’s conference promises to deliver a comprehensive exploration of advanced topics in food packaging, with a special focus on tracking the entire supply chain and addressing emerging issues on a global scale.

🍬Registration is now open for the 2025 FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summit, June 2–4 in Alexandria, VA. Connect with industry leaders and stay ahead of key regulatory trends—early bird rates end April 18.

ICYMI: PLASTICS at Plastics Recycling Conference

Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello and support PLASTICS during the Plastics Recycling Conference while the team spent time showcasing our sustainability initiatives:

🔹 Recycling is Real
🔹 Flexible Film Recycling Alliance
🔹 Polystyrene Recycling Alliance

🔹 Operation Clean Sweep

We gained valuable insights, built meaningful connections, and are already preparing for 2026.

👉Visit our post on LinkedIn

Mark Your Calendar

✅ 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 open for the 2025 Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) Annual Meeting! Must be a CES Member to participate. Questions? Contact Madeline Kramer.

🍬 Registration is now open for the 2025 FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summit!  Join us June 2–4 in Alexandria, VA to connect with industry leaders and stay ahead on key regulations.

📅 Save the Date - National Plastics Conference — the exclusive event built by industry, for industry — is back, September 22–25, 2025, in Orlando, FL.

🌐 Save the Date - OCS CON 2025, taking place October 15–17, in Indianapolis, IN, is hosted by Operation Clean Sweep®. This event brings together the entire plastics value chain to advance efforts to eliminate plastic loss to the environment. Learn More.