The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) commends Chairman Tim Walberg for advancing H.R. 8210, the Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, through the House Education and Workforce Committee.
The bill would give states more flexible resources for high-demand sectors and strengthen employer-led, work-based training tied to manufacturers’ needs.
Why it matters
Plastics is a cornerstone of U.S. manufacturing—supporting 1.5M jobs and $550B+ in economic output—so a skilled, job-ready workforce pipeline is critical.
Critical Industry Skills Funds: Provides states with flexible resources to invest in high-demand sectors – creating a direct pathway to address persistent shortages in skilled manufacturing roles, including plastics processing, mold-making, extrusion, and recycling operations.
Expanded employer-led and work-based training: Reinforces on-the-job training models that allow manufacturers to develop talent on real equipment – essential for building technical, job-ready skills.
Stronger alignment between workforce programs and employer demand: Better connects education and training systems with the needs of manufacturers, helping create clearer pathways into high-skill careers.
Greater focus on outcomes and accountability: Prioritizes measurable results – ensuring workforce investments translate into job placement, retention, and advancement in in-demand industries.
What’s next: PLASTICS says workforce investment—paired with continued focus on advanced materials and recycling technologies—will be key to sustaining U.S. manufacturing leadership.
100% bonus depreciation is helping plastics manufacturers keep investing in molds and machinery even as tariffs push equipment prices higher.
Why it matters: Industrial equipment—think injection molders, extruders, blow molders, and precision molds—drives productivity and competitiveness, but tariffs can quickly derail capital budgets.
Tariffs raise the sticker price: A 10–25% tariff on imported molds or processing equipment can stretch payback periods—especially for small and mid-sized processors.
Expensing restores cash flow: With permanent 100% bonus depreciation (for qualifying property placed in service after Jan. 19, 2025), firms can deduct the full cost in year one instead of over 5–20 years.
It applies broadly: Most machinery and molds with recovery periods of 20 years or less qualify; the provision can also increase net operating losses to carry forward.
Simple math: A $500k machine plus a 25% tariff becomes $625k; immediate expensing can materially increase first-year tax savings, offsetting part of the tariff hit.
What’s next: If you’re planning 2026 capex, review which purchases can be placed in service to capture 100% expensing—and re-run ROI models assuming tariff-inclusive costs.
Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) has released its 2025 Global Impact Report, highlighting continued global progress to prevent plastic resin loss and strengthen resin stewardship across the value chain.
Why it matters OCS now spans 60+ countries, bringing together companies across the plastics value chain to reduce pellet, flake, and powder loss and improve resin handling practices at scale.
By the numbers
6,000+ companies participating worldwide
300+ external inspections conducted across International OCS Programs in 2025
Logistics sector is the fastest-growing area of membership
OCS members represent 65%+ of U.S. plastic resin production capacity
35,000+ workers trained on zero resin loss practices
The takeaway The report reflects the growing global adoption of resin loss prevention strategies, including OCS Data Reporting and Verification—advancing transparency and supporting facilities in working toward the goal of zero resin loss through independently verified OCS management practices.
Click here to read the 2025 OCS Global Impact Report.
💻 Join OCS on May 13 from 10–11 a.m. ET for a live webinar on the 2025 Global Impact Report that will further discuss the industry-led efforts to prevent plastic resin loss in 2025. Click here to register.
♻️ Nashville expands EPS recycling system
PSRA is helping scale real-world EPS recycling by connecting industry partners, technology providers, and municipalities.
Nashville launched a new EPS recycling program on April 22 designed to keep expanded polystyrene out of landfills and strengthen local circular recycling systems.
The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance
(PSRA), Foam Cycle, and the Nashville Department of Waste Services partnered on the rollout at the East Convenience Center.
What’s happening
Foam Cycle installed a patented collection and densification system at a Nashville drop-off site
Residents can recycle all EPS, including packaging and clean food service materials
Material is densified on-site and sent to EFP’s facility in La Vergne, TN for reuse
A portable trailer system will extend collection to universities, festivals, and community events
Why it matters The effort improves access to EPS recycling and increases material recovery that would otherwise go to landfill. It also strengthens the regional circular supply chain by linking collection directly to a Tennessee-based end market.
The model expands beyond household drop-off by capturing EPS from municipal operations and public events, increasing overall diversion potential.
About PSRA The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) brings together the polystyrene and EPS value chain to advance circular solutions across North America. It is a self-funded initiative of the PLASTICS Industry Association. Learn more at PSRecycling.org.
🏆PLASTICS Names 2026 Sustainability Winners
PLASTICS has named the winners of its 2026 Sustainability Innovation Awards, spotlighting breakthroughs across five categories: Leadership in Sustainability Innovation, Design, Material, End-of-Life, and Social Impact.
This year’s honorees reflect progress across the full plastics value chain—from circular design and advanced materials to closed-loop systems and workforce practices.
2026 winners include:
Leadership in Sustainability Innovation: LyondellBasell – LYB Cincinnati Technology Center (CTC) Circularity Lab
Headquartered in Shenzhen, China,Muyoung Mould is a manufacturer specializing in plastic injection mold design, mold manufacturing, and injection molding services. Established in 2001, the company provides end‑to‑end solutions supporting product engineering,
tooling, molding, secondary processing, and assembly for customers worldwide.
With in‑house manufacturing capabilities and internationally recognized quality certifications, Muyoung Mould focuses on precision, efficiency, and long‑term tooling performance, helping customers bring plastic products to market reliably and cost‑effectively.
⛳ FlexForum | May 4–6, 2026 |Fort Myers, FL | FlexForum is the event for anyone in the flexible film and packaging space. Covering business trends, regulatory issues, and more with the incredible networking opportunities, FlexForum is a can't miss in 2026! Learn more. To register, click here.
📅 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 A three-part workshop from the Society of Plastics Engineers explores the gap between design intent and real-world recyclability. Get practical, recycler-focused guidance on how upstream design choices impact sorting, contamination, and material value.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.
The exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Register now for Early Bird Pricing.
📅 OCS CON2026| 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.
