Issue No.  30  |   July 28,  2026

This Week:

♻️  PLASTICS Supports Bipartisan Recycling Bills

🎥  Matt Seaholm Discusses Plastics on 535News 

📈  Consumer Demand Supports Plastics Growth

♻️  Register Now for the 2026 Recycling Open House

🎟️  Save $160 on Operation Clean Sweep, OCS CON 2026

 ♻️ PLASTICS Supports Bipartisan Recycling Bills

PLASTICS applauded the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade for holding a hearing on two important recycling bills: the Recycled Materials Attribution Act (RMAA) and the Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act.

Together, these bipartisan proposals would create consistent national definitions for recycling, recycled content, and recycling claims—providing the regulatory certainty needed to strengthen American manufacturing, encourage innovation, and improve recycling markets.

PLASTICS looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to advance solutions that support a stronger, more accessible, and more effective recycling system.

👉 Visit the PLASTICS Newsroom for the latest legislative updates, advocacy efforts, and industry news. 

 🎥  Matt Seaholm Discusses Plastics on 535News

PLASTICS President & CEO Matt Seaholm joined Brody Mullins to share the plastics industry’s perspective on the essential role of plastics, the importance of supporting policies that strengthen our industry, and why PLASTICS supports the PACK Act and RMAA.

👉 Watch the full interview here.

📈 Consumer Demand Supports Plastics Market Growth

Consumer spending remained a key driver of economic activity in the first half of 2026, creating a positive outlook for many plastics end markets. According to PLASTICS Chief Economist Perc Pineda, PhD, retail sales increased 5.1% year-over-year, with strong performance across industries that rely on plastics.

Growth was seen in several important sectors, including:

• Automotive: Continued consumer demand supported vehicle sales and a rebound in motor vehicle manufacturing.
• Electronics and appliances: Increased adoption of AI technologies and demand for connected devices continue to drive plastics use in components and equipment.
• E-commerce, sporting goods, and consumer products: Broad-based retail gains supported demand for plastics packaging and products.

While economic uncertainty remains, the strength and diversity of consumer spending provide a positive foundation for plastics manufacturers and the broader value chain.

👉 Read Perc’s full analysis here.

♻️ Register Now for the 2026 Recycling Open House

Join us virtually on August 12 & 19 (12:00–1:30 p.m. ET) for the 2026 Recycling Open House, where PLASTICS and partnering organizations will share how our industry is advancing plastic recycling and building a more circular economy.

What you'll learn:

• Designing products for greater recyclability and circularity.
• The role of plastics recycling in addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Collaborative recycling initiatives across the construction, medical, and packaging industries.

Why attend: This free event is a call to action for industry leaders to collaborate on practical solutions that improve plastics recycling and advance sustainability.

Registration is free and open to members of participating associations.

🎟️Save $160 on Operation Clean Sweep, OCS CON 2026

 OCS CON 2026 takes place Oct. 14–16 in Houston, TX, bringing together representatives of the full plastics value chain to learn about tested strategies and new technologies that can help prevent plastic resin loss to the environment.

For one week only, the lowest OCS CON registration rate of the year is available to non-OCS members. Use promo code FLASH by July 31 at 11:59 PM ET to save $160. 

👉 Register now and save $160 when you use promo code FLASH.

📆 Mark Your Calendar

♻️ 2026 Recycling Open House | August 12 & 19, 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET | Virtual

Join PLASTICS and partner organizations for a free virtual event highlighting innovative initiatives that advance plastics recycling and support a more circular economy. Learn how industry collaboration, product design, and recycling solutions are helping drive progress toward a more sustainable future. Register now. 

🎤 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 for Early Bird Pricing.

📅 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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