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title: "insidePLASTICS: Trade Rules, EPA Proposal, State Policy Updates, and More"
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The latest news from PLASTICS. Exclusively for members of the Plastics Industry Association. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser Issue No.  19  \|   May 12,  2026 This Week: 🌐  Heads Up: Plastics Trade Rules Are Changing ♻️  EPA Proposal Could Boost Advanced Recycling 🚀  National Plastics Conference Registration Now Open 🗓️  OCS CON Agenda Now Live 📍  State Policy Update: Key Activity Across the U.S. 📅  Mark Your Calendar 🌐 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. ♻️ EPA Proposal Could Boost Advanced Recycling 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.   The agenda is built to deliver practical, operations-focused insights that can help companies across the plastics value chain strengthen resin management and advance zero plastic resin loss efforts.   What attendees can expect:  Expert-led sessions  Real-world operational strategies  Industry networking opportunities  Actionable takeaways to support resin loss prevention goals Explore the agenda and start planning your experience.   👉 View Agenda. 📍 State Policy Update: Key Activity Across the U.S. 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.   Plastics Industry Association 1425 K Street NW Suite #500  \| Washington, DC, 20005   +1.202.974.5200 --- You are receiving this newsletter as a benefit of Plastics Industry Association membership. To update your preferences, please use the link below. Manage Preferences |
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