Issue No.  19  |   May 12,  2026

This Week:

🌐 Heads Up: Plastics Trade Rules Are Changing

What’s happening:
Updates to the Harmonized System (HS)—the global framework for classifying traded goods—are underway, with adoption required by 2028.

Why it matters:

These changes will reshape how plastics are defined, tracked, and regulated worldwide—impacting trade flows, tariffs, and reporting.

Key changes:

• New definition for “single-use” plastics
• New and expanded material categories (including recyclable plastics)
• Reclassification of plastic scrap, including hazardous designations
• Updates across packaging, household, and industrial plastic goods

The impact:
~$8.8B in U.S. exports and ~$15.5B in imports could be affected.

Go deeper:
Perc Pineda breaks down what this means for the industry—and where it’s headed. Click here to read his analysis.

Take action:

Submit feedback to USITC (by May 18th) or connect with PLASTICS (by May 13th) to ensure your perspective is represented.

What’s happening:
On May 4, PLASTICS submitted comments to EPA supporting a proposed rule that would remove pyrolysis from the definition of “municipal waste combustion.”

Why it matters:
Pyrolysis isn’t incineration. It’s a manufacturing process that converts used plastics into new raw materials.

The impact:

•  Reduces regulatory confusion
• Unlocks investment in advanced recycling
• Supports a circular economy

By the numbers:
Scaling recycling could support 173,000 jobs and generate $48.7B in U.S. economic output.

Bottom line:
Clear rules can help accelerate innovation, expand recycling, and keep more plastic out of landfills.

👉 Read PLASTICS’ comments submitted to EPA on the advanced recycling proposed rule.

Interested in getting involved? These comments were developed by the EHS+ Committee. Contact Natalie Seablom to learn more.

🚀 National Plastics Conference Registration Now Open

Registration is officially open for the National Plastics Conference — and this year’s message is clear: Let’s Make It Happen.

From Sept. 14–17 in Houston, leaders from across the plastics value chain will gather for the National Plastics Conference — focused on turning industry challenges into practical solutions, stronger connections, and real progress.

At the National Plastics Conference:
• Leaders don’t just discuss change — they drive it
• Insights turn into action you can use
• Connections become partnerships that move business forward
• The full plastics value chain shows up and steps up

Progress doesn’t happen on its own. You make it happen.

👉 Register now and save $300 with the Super Early Bird rate — the best pricing available before it ends May 29.

🗓️ OCS CON Agenda Now Live

Operation Clean Sweep^® is excited to share a first look at the sessions, speakers, and experiences planned for this year’s OCS CON.

Recent activity across Western states is shaping policy conversations that could impact plastics manufacturing, materials use, and recycling efforts.

👉 To view the latest updates, click here.

📆 Mark Your Calendar

📅 Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) Annual Meeting | May 12–13, 2026 | Virtual | This year’s program will feature economic updates, active CES initiatives, a review of reporting definitions and best practices, and discussions on expanding program categories and participation. Register here.  Have questions? Email Madeline Kramer.

💻SPE Workshop: Design for Recycling - How Producers Design for Recyclers 

| May 12 - 14,  from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. ET | Online This 3-part Society of Plastics Engineers workshop explores the gap between design intent and real-world recyclability.  Learn more and register. Use code  DRW-PLASTICS  for the member rate,

💻 Join Operation Clean Sweep on May 13 from 10–11 a.m. ET for a live webinar on the 2025 Global Impact Report. The free event will share the robust industry-led efforts to prevent plastic resin loss in 2025. Click here to register.

🏛️ 2026 FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summit | June 1–3 | Arlington, VA | Save the date for the Spring Food Packaging Summit, hosted by PLASTICS. This summit will bring industry leaders together at the Hilton National Landing. Learn more. To register, click here. 

📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum | July 14–15, 2026 | Toronto, Canada | Summer Forum: Addressing a Growing Concern of Microplastics & Material Stewardship. To request your invitation to attend, click here. 

📅 National Plastics Conference | Sept. 14–17, 2026 | Houston, TX | 

The exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Register now for Super 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. 

📅 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.

🏆 Make It a Team Win!

Know someone on your team who should see this?

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.