Plymouth, M.I. — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released a series of new videos as part of the Recycling Is Real advocacy initiative. The videos showcase the recycling efforts taking place at Plastipak along with its recycling affiliate, Clean Tech, where more than 500 million pounds of plastic are recycled each year.
Since its launch in 2023, PLASTICS’ Recycling Is Real campaign has highlighted both mechanical and advanced recycling facilities throughout the United States. Employees featured in each video represent the recycling workforce in communities nationwide. Previously featured locations include: Atlanta, GA; Kingsport, TN; Madison, WI; North Vernon, IN; Baton Rouge, LA; Portland, PA; Eagle Rock, VA; Rialto, CA; Wytheville, VA; Piqua, OH; Reidsville, NC; Tampa, FL; Chino, CA; Ironton, OH; Farmingdale, NY; and Hilliard, OH.
“In Michigan and in communities across America, plastic recycling is absolutely real and it’s happening every single day,” said PLASTICS President and CEO Matt Seaholm. “Our Recycling Is Real campaign highlights the dedicated workforce and cutting-edge innovations driving real progress toward circularity and sustainability, keeping plastic in use and out of the environment. We’re proud to showcase companies like Plastipak and Clean Tech that are moving the needle—turning yesterday’s plastics into tomorrow’s resources and proving that plastics can have a second life.”
“Plastipak has been leading the way in bottle-to-bottle recycling for decades. When we started our recycling affiliate, Clean Tech, back in 1989, the goal was simple — keep plastics in the circular economy, out of landfills, and create good jobs in our communities. That’s why joining the Recycling Is Real campaign makes so much sense for us. It’s a chance to show that recycling isn’t just an idea, it’s real — and it’s happening every single day at Plastipak and Clean Tech,” said Jack Pacente, Vice President of Global Sustainability at Plastipak.
Click here to view Recycling Is Real featuring Plastipak and Clean Tech
The Recycling Is Real campaign provides content to help elected officials and policymakers understand that recycling is a vital link in the sustainability and circularity chain, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about recycling infrastructure and support.
The Recycling Is Real campaign was launched to combat false narratives suggesting that recycling is not happening or that it’s a “myth.” With some seeking to reduce or eliminate plastic production altogether, Recycling Is Real demonstrates where and how recycling occurs—and introduces the people making it happen.
About Plastipak Packaging
Plastipak Packaging, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plastipak Holdings, Inc., is a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality, rigid plastic containers for the food, beverage, and consumer products industries. Plastipak is also a leading recycler of rigid plastic packaging, producing food-grade post-consumer recycled resin for inclusion in new packaging. Plastipak operates more than 40 sites in the United States, South America and Europe, with a total of over 6,500 employees. Its customers include some of the world’s most respected and recognized consumer brands. Plastipak is also a leading innovator in the packaging industry, holding more than 420 United States patents for its state-of-the-art package designs and manufacturing processes. In addition, Plastipak licenses various packaging technologies around the world. Plastipak was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan. Additional information about Plastipak can be found at www.plastipak.com.
About Clean Tech
Clean Tech was founded in 1989 to reclaim the plastic in water containers and other post-consumer packaging. Clean Tech’s leaders knew that recycling would extend disposal capacity, save money in disposal costs and conserve natural resources. They saw further growth opportunity in the business’s potential for creating new jobs and providing a reliable, cost-effective resource for the manufacturing industry. This modern recycling center initiated the company’s entry into the environmental movement more than 30 years ago. Clean Tech recycled 2 billion bottles in 2007 alone at its Dundee, Michigan facility. It now recycles more than 10 billion bottles per year globally and continues to invest in recycling technology and operational improvements.
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $519 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.
