Plastics manufacturing isnāt just keeping paceāitās driving U.S. economic growth.
New analysis from PLASTICS Chief Economist Perc Pineda, PhD, shows that while overall U.S. manufacturing value added has declined slightly since 1997, plastics manufacturing has grown 2% after adjusting for inflation.
š In Q2 2025, plastics manufacturing added $100.1 billion in value ā 26% higher than paper and 40% higher than glass manufacturing.
Why it matters: Plastics remain the material of choice across industries, continuing to fuel U.S. GDP and innovation.
š To read Dr. Pineda's full analysis, click here.
š§ Evaluating Michiganās Bottle Deposit System
Michiganās 10Ā¢ bottle deposit lawāonce hailed as the nationās recycling gold standardāhas seen redemption rates fall from above 95% in the early 2000s to around 70% in 2024.
PLASTICS, in partnership with the Council of the Great Lakes Region and the University of Michigan, sponsored and participated in new research examining whatās driving these changes and what modernization could mean for Michiganās recycling future.
The goal: to better understand whether bottle bills are an effective way to achieve a more circular plastics industry, especially as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws gain traction nationwide.
Why it matters: The findings highlight shifting consumer behavior, growing infrastructure gaps, and opportunities to better align recycling incentives with climate goals.
š Read the full report to see whatās behind the drop in redemption rates and where experts see the greatest potential for reform.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Michael Robinson, Director of Public Policy, at mrobinson@plasticsindustry.org.
ā»ļø Recycling is RealāAnd Happening Every Day
Despite what some may say, recycling is happening every day, and the Recycling is Real campaign is making sure people know it.
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is proud to share the latest video in our Recycling Is Real series, filmed on site at Plastic Ingenuity in Madison, Wisconsin. Here, post-consumer recycled material is transformed into new products we use every day.
With seven strategic locations across North America, Plastic Ingenuity is one of the regionās largest custom packaging manufacturers. Their deep experience, global reach, and dedication to circularity help bring sustainable packaging to life, scale production efficiently, and create innovations that last well beyond a productās lifecycle.
Specializing in food containers, healthcare, and consumer goods packaging, the company supports circularity goals through sustainability roadmaps, recyclability consulting, lifecycle assessments, and community take-back programsāproving that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand.
More than 36 states now require plastic products to include some form of resin identification ā and new laws are tightening how recyclability can be marketed.
Whatās Changing
Californiaās SB 343 redefines how the chasing arrows symbol can be used, linking it directly to recyclability claims. Similar legislation is advancing in New York and Massachusetts, adding new compliance challenges for producers.
Why It Matters
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports a national standard for plastic product labeling to ensure consistency, clarity, and fairness for manufacturers and recyclers alike.
š Click here, to view the 2025 State Resin Identification Regulation Survey.
Questions about this document or RIC legislation, please feel free to reach out to Michael Robinson, Director of Public Policy, at mrobinson@plasticsindustry.org.
ā»ļø Brueckner Is a PLASTICS Cleanup Champion
One Cleaner Trail On Oct. 17 in Dover, NH, 16 volunteers from Brueckner removed more than 600 pounds of mismanaged materials ā including tires, ropes, and bags of litter ā from the Dover Community Trail.
Why it matters: When industry and community unite, local spaces become cleaner and stronger.
Get involved: Join the Cleanup Champions initiative and help restore parks, trails, and waterways in your area. For more information, click here.
November 10ā16 ā A week to spotlight how our industry supports a circular plastics economy.
Each year, the PLASTICS Recycling Committee sets daily themes to help organize educational content across participant channels. Use them as inspiration for your posts ā from recycling innovations and success stories to practical tips for growing recycling rates.
ā Follow #PlasticRecyclingWeek ā Post, like, and share throughout the week
š Vinyl Week 2025 | December 9ā12 | New Orleans, LA | This one-of-a-kind gathering brings together the Vinyl Compounders Conference and the Vinyl Sustainability Summit for four days of leadership, networking, and forward-looking insights. Register today.
šļø NPE2027 Space Selection & Planning Event | March 2ā6, 2026 |Orlando, FL | NPE2027 exhibitors will convene to select exhibit booth space, plan for exhibit success, and explore opportunities to maximize the NPE2027 investment. Learn more.
šļø PLASTICS Spring Meeting and Industry Fly-In | April 13-15, 2026 |Washington, DC | Join us for the annual PLASTICS Spring Meeting and Industry Fly-In. We'll come together to share our policy and advocacy initiatives while bringing the industry to Capitol Hill, to personally advocate on behalf of your company. Learn more.
ā³ FlexForum | May 4-6, 2026 |Fort Myers, FL | FlexForum is the event for anyone in the flexible film and packaging space. Covering business trends, regulatory issues, and more with the incredible networking opportunities, FlexForum is a can't miss in 2026! More details coming soon.
