Issue No. 20    |     July 8, 2025

This Week:

🏭  Putting U.S. Manufacturing First

♻️  Recycling is Real—And Happening Every Day.

🚗  Auto Tariffs Signal Big Opportunities for U.S. Plastics

📊  Plastics Workforce Availability Resource

🏆 13 Days Left to Nominate a Bioplastics Innovation

📅  Mark Your Calendar

🏭 Putting U.S. Manufacturing First

📄Read the full statement here.

♻️ Recycling is Real—And 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.

📽️ New from PLASTICS:
Our latest Recycling is Real video features Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), one of North America’s largest plastic recyclers. Headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, ADS and its subsidiary Infiltrator Water Technologies are turning post-industrial and post-consumer plastics into durable stormwater and wastewater solutions.

🏭 With a goal to use 1 billion pounds of recycled material annually by 2032, ADS is extending the life of plastic while building critical infrastructure that prevents flooding, protects water, and supports resilient communities.

🔑 Why it matters:
This is real recycling in action—led by innovation, powered by American manufacturing, and supporting a circular economy.

Watch video now. 

Recycling Is Real featuring ADS

🚗 Auto Tariffs Signal Big Opportunities for U.S. Plastics

Recent 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts are accelerating changes in the U.S. automotive supply chain—and creating fresh demand for domestic plastics manufacturing.

Dr. Perc Pineda, Chief Economist at PLASTICS, breaks down how reshoring trends and shifting sourcing strategies could boost demand for injection molding, tooling, and plastic-integrated components.

📈 With more automakers ramping up U.S. production, plastics processors are well-positioned to capture new business—especially in parts that blend plastic with other materials.

To read Dr. Pineda’s full analysis, click here.

📊 Plastics Workforce Availability Resource

Curious about the future of the plastics industry workforce? The Career Opportunities in Plastics infographic provides a data-driven look at labor trends across the industry. Explore insights on wages, workforce demographics, and projected employment growth for key job categories.

Whether you're planning for talent needs or highlighting the value of plastics careers, this resource offers valuable information for workforce development conversations.

To download the infographic, click here.

🏆 13 Days Left: Submit Your Nomination for the Innovation in Bioplastics Award

Have you or your company developed a unique material, product, or process using bioplastics? The Innovation in Bioplastics Award, presented by the PLASTICS Bioplastics Division, honors standout achievements in sustainable innovation.

Each submission is reviewed by a panel of industry judges based on innovation, environmental impact, and market potential. Winning entries will be spotlighted during Bioplastics Week (October 20–26) and recognized at a future PLASTICS event alongside other Sustainability Innovation Award recipients.

🗓️ Nominations are due by July 25—just 13 business days left to apply!

To submit your entry, click here.   | To learn more, click here.

📆 Mark Your Calendar

🚀July 24 | FLiP Development Session - 12-1 pm ET| Featuring Alden Mills—former Navy SEAL and leadership expert—who will share strategies to help rising professionals build an unstoppable mindset. Open to FLiP members and employees aged 40 and under at PLASTICS member companies. Register now.  To share this opportunity with coworkers by email, click here.

📢 Learn how to navigate the NPE2027 exhibit space application process on July 30 at 1:00 PM ET, from key rule changes and deadlines to selecting your booth at the in-person Space Selection & Planning event.  To register, click here.  Can’t attend live? Register to receive the recording.

📋 August 12 | NPE2027: The Plastics Show | Exhibit space applications open. To be notified when applications go live, click here. 

♻️ August 13 & 20 | Recycling Open House | Happening virtually, trade associations and organizations will share how they’re tackling recycling challenges in the plastics industry. Registration now open.

📅 Save the date. PLASTICS 2025 Size and Impact Report Executive Briefing
September 16 | 2:00–3:00 PM ET | Live Virtual Event. Be the first to explore the 2025 Size and Impact Report—your go-to source for data on plastics’ economic footprint, state-by-state employment, industry rankings, and a two-year forecast.

📣 September 22–25 | National Plastics Conference | Orlando, FL | The

exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Early Bird Rates 

available until August 8.

🌐 October 15–17 | OCS CON 2025 | Indianapolis, IN | Hosted by Operation Clean Sweep®, OCS CON brings the full plastic value chain together in efforts towards eliminating the loss of plastic to the environment.  Early Bird Registration now open.  

♻️ Plastics Sustainability Executive Forum | November 3–4 | New York, NY |

Request an invitation to join senior sustainability professionals to explore real-world solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. This fall’s forum will focus on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Learn more.

🗓️ March 2–6, 2026 | NPE2027 Space Selection & Planning Event | Orlando, FL | NPE2027 exhibitors will convene to select exhibit booth space, plan for exhibit success, and explore opportunities to maximize the NPE2027 investment.