Issue No.  32  |   Aug 11,  2026

This Week:

📈 Plastics demand holds steady

♻️ FFRA launches commercial film recycling pilots

♻️ Register Now for the 2026 Recycling Open House

🌐 Build Your Leadership Skills in Plastics

🌱 Recognizing Bioplastics Innovation

📈 Plastics demand holds steady

The U.S. economy grew at a 1.5% annual rate in the second quarter, down from 2.1% in Q1. Despite the slower pace, key indicators point to continued strength in plastics end markets.

The details:

• Consumer spending accelerated to 3.2%, driven by gains in durable goods, including a 10.5% increase in motor vehicle and parts spending.
• Business investment remained strong, with equipment investment growing 15.2%.
• While higher interest rates continue to pressure construction and other interest-sensitive sectors, overall plastics demand has remained steady.

👉 Read Dr. Perc Pineda's full analysis in the PLASTICS Blog.

♻️ FFRA launches commercial film recycling pilots

 The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) has launched two first-of-their-kind commercial plastic film recycling pilot programs in California to test scalable collection models and generate data to support future recycling programs. 

 The details:

• The pilots focus on clean polyethylene film generated by warehouses, distribution centers, retail backrooms, and manufacturing facilities.
• Sacramento Region: Tests a distributed collection model for small- and medium-sized businesses using existing 1-800-GOT-JUNK? service routes.
• Ontario/Inland Empire: Tests a warehouse-focused collection model for large commercial film generators through Shorr Packaging's logistics network.
• Both pilots use standardized Rack n' Pack collection systems to separate film at the source before transporting it to regional aggregation facilities for baling and recycling.

What's next: Collection began July 1 and will continue through December 2026. The results will help identify scalable approaches to commercial film recycling and inform California's evolving recycling system.

👉 Read the full article in the PLASTICS Newsroom.

♻️  Register Now for the 2026 Recycling Open House

Register us for this free, virtual 2026 Recycling Open House on August 12 & 19 (12:00–1:30 p.m. ET). Participate from anywhere as PLASTICS and partnering organizations explore practical solutions for improving plastics recycling and advancing a more circular economy. 

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How product design can impact recyclability and circularity.
• How plastics recycling connects to broader climate and greenhouse gas goals.
• What successful recycling programs look like across the construction, medical, and packaging industries—and how you can get involved.

The event features two 90-minute virtual sessions over two days. Join one or both!

Why attend: Whether you’re part of a trade association, sustainability team, or packaging group, you’ll leave with new insights and practical ideas to help advance plastics recycling.

Registration is free and open to members of participating associations.

🌐 Build Your Leadership Skills in Plastics

Ready to take the next step in your career? Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics is a six-month online leadership development program designed for early- to mid-career plastics professionals looking to strengthen their management and leadership skills.

What you’ll get:

• Strengths-based leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Insights into organizational culture, innovation, and creativity.
• Practical financial literacy and leader awareness.
• Opportunities to learn from industry experts and connect with fellow plastics professionals through self-paced learning and live virtual sessions.

Applications are free, and PLASTICS members can use code EML-PLASTICS to receive SPE member pricing.

👉 Learn more and apply today

🌱 Recognizing Bioplastics Innovation

 DEADLINE: AUG. 14 

Have a breakthrough in bioplastics? Submit your nomination for the 2026 Innovation in Bioplastics Award by Aug. 14.

Presented by the PLASTICS Bioplastics Division, the award recognizes an outstanding advancement in bioplastics materials, products or manufacturing processes that is helping move the industry forward.

Whether you’ve developed a new material, launched an innovative product, or advanced a manufacturing process, this award highlights the ideas shaping the future of bioplastics.

The 2026 winner will be announced during Bioplastics Week, Sept. 28–Oct. 4.

📆 Mark Your Calendar

🎤 NPE2027 Call for Speakers | Proposals due August 14, 2026 | NPE2027 is now accepting speaker proposals for its education program. Industry leaders, innovators, and subject matter experts are invited to share insights and expertise with a global audience at NPE2027, taking place May 3–7, 2027, in Orlando, Florida. To submit a proposal or learn more, click here.

📅 National Plastics Conference | Sept. 14–17, 2026 | Houston, TX | The exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Register now.

📅 SPE Vinyltec® 2026 | Oct. 13–15 | Atlanta, GA | Join PVC industry professionals to explore the latest innovations, sustainability efforts, and advancements shaping the future of PVC.  PLASTICS members save on registration with promo code:  VT26-PLASTICS.  Learn more.

📅 OCS CON 2026 | Oct. 14–16, 2026 | Houston, TX | 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.  

📅 Injection Molding Innovation Summit | Oct. 22, 2026 | Cleveland, OH |  Hosted by the Society of Plastics Engineers, the event will explore practical applications of AI, sustainability, materials, tooling, and other innovations shaping the future of injection molding. PLASTICS members can register at the SPE member rate using code IMIS-PLASTICS. Click here to register.

📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum | Nov. 11–12, 2026 | Atlanta, GA | Fall Forum: Backing the Vision: Investment, Infrastructure, and the Economics of Advanced Recycling. To request your invitation to attend, click here. 

📅 Vinyl Week 2026 | Dec. 8–11, 2026 | Charlotte, NC | 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. Learn more. 

 📅 NPE2027 – The Plastics Show | May 3–7, 2027 | Orlando, FL | The largest plastics trade show in the Americas, bringing together 51,000+ professionals from 130+ countries to explore innovations in automation, sustainability, and advanced materials. Featuring 2,200+ exhibitors and on-site ANTEC® technical sessions. Registration opens September 2026. Learn more.

🏆 Make It a Team Win!

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Feel free to forward this email to your coworkers!  Since your company is a member of the Plastics Industry Association, everyone on your team can create their own account and access member benefits.