This Week:

📢PLASTICS on New Tariffs: Urging Pro-Growth Policies

🏭PLASTICS in Albany – Advocating for smarter recycling policies.
🚛 OCS Logistics Verification – New program launch to strengthen sustainability.
🤝 FLiP Mentorship – Support Plastics industry careers and give back.
📅 Mark Your Calendar – Key PLASTICS events coming up

👋 Welcome New Members – Meet the latest additions to PLASTICS.

PLASTICS on Tariffs:

Urging Pro-Growth Policies

Saturday evening, PLASTICS issued a press release responding to the Trump administration’s announcement of new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.

📢 PLASTICS President & CEO Matt Seaholm:
"PLASTICS is concerned about the new tariffs and their impact on U.S. plastics manufacturing and jobs. While we understand President Trump’s rationale, a blanket tariff policy could have significant economic consequences, disrupting the movement of essential machines, products, and materials that keep American manufacturers running. A competitive industry requires policies that protect high-quality jobs and ensure stable supply chains across sectors like healthcare, consumer products, and automotive. A strategic, measured approach to trade is critical to strengthening—not inadvertently harming—U.S. industry."

Why it matters:

🔹 U.S. plastics exports hit $74.2B in 2023, with a $958M trade surplus, underscoring the industry’s global leadership.
🔹 New tariffs risk increasing costs, destabilizing supply chains, and harming competitiveness in key sectors like healthcare, consumer products, and automotive.

What’s next: PLASTICS is urging policymakers to pursue balanced trade policies that protect U.S. jobs, reinforce supply chains, and support long-term industry growth.

Read the full statement: "PLASTICS Industry Association Expresses Concern About New Tariffs, Urges Trade Policies That Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing"

PLASTICS Pushes for Smart Recycling Policy in Albany

📍 Albany, NY – January 27-28 – The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) held its Legislative Fly-In at the New York State Capitol, meeting with lawmakers to discuss the sustainability benefits of plastics and the need for well-crafted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation.

🔑 Why it mattered: A proposed EPR bill (SB1464/AB1749) could increase costs, limit food accessibility, and create unintended environmental consequences. PLASTICS President & CEO Matt Seaholm emphasized the need for smart recycling solutions that improve infrastructure and foster markets for recycled materials—without burdening consumers.

💬 PLASTICS on the ground in Albany:
✅ 30+ bipartisan meetings with Assembly and Senate legislators.
✅ 9 industry representatives from across the U.S. and Canada, covering the full supply chain.
✅ Advocated for recycling policies that enhance sustainability without raising costs.

🎙 Hear more: Listen to Matt Seaholm in Albany on The Capitol Pressroom podcast:
🔗 Plastics Industry Pushes Against Waste Reduction Bill.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) have expanded Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) to ensure logistics facilities—trucking, transloading, warehousing, and distribution—are actively preventing resin loss.

This program builds on OCS Blue Verification, launched in 2023, extending accountability beyond material suppliers and processors to the entire supply chain.

The details:
✅ Facility-level inspections verify 25+ required management practices.
✅ Exclusive to OCS Logistics members, covering resin handling and transport.
✅ Deadline: At least one verification by Dec. 31, 2025.
✅ Ongoing accountability: Additional facility verifications begin in 2026.

What’s next:
🔹 Webinar in February 2025 – Learn how to prepare for verification. Register today.
🔹 OCS Members must act – Complete at least one facility inspection before the deadline.

📩 Questions? Contact info@opcleansweep.org.

The FLiP Mentorship Program is your opportunity to grow, give back, and shape the future of the plastics industry! Whether you're a seasoned expert looking to share your experience or an up-and-coming professional eager to learn, this program fosters meaningful connections that benefit everyone involved.

🔑 Why it matters: More than just career advice, FLiP is about building lasting relationships, gaining industry insights, and driving professional growth.

👉 Apply now to become a mentor or mentee and be part of this powerful program! The FLiP program is a PLASTICS membership benefit! Fill out the form and get started today!

Mark Your Calendar

📅 FLiP Meetup at MD&M West – Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 | 5–6:30 PM PST.

📍 nFuse Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, Anaheim Marriott, 700 W Convention Way

 RSVP by emailing Leslie Jutte at ljutte@plasticsindustry.org.

📅 Join us for the PLASTICS Reception at MD&M West on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Anaheim, CA—network with industry peers over cocktails and conversation. RSVP here.

📅Join top sustainability leaders at the Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum, an exclusive workshop on ESG solutions, happening Feb. 24–25 in Washington, DC—only 30 seats available. Request an invite or to learn more. 

📅 Join FLiP’s Book Club on Feb. 28 (2-3 PM) to explore the TED Talk Great Leadership is a Network, Not a Hierarchy and rethink leadership through collaboration—exclusive to FLiP-eligible members, register here.

Welcome New PLASTICS Members

JBB Packaging is a family-owned and operated manufacturer of flexible and consumable packaging products based in the USA. They operate out of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and bring years of expertise to the table, which allows them to offer high-quality products at competitive prices. Their product line includes a range of polyethylene bags and sheeting, such as carton liners, gaylord liners, can liners, pallet covers, and drum liners, as well as industrial sheeting and shrink bundle film.

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