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PLASTICS Releases 2017 Policy Agenda

Mon March 6, 2017

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) issued its 2017 agenda to outline the industry’s priorities for policymakers and regulators and offered assistance as they deliberate on issues. Read on or find a copy here, and make plans to join your colleagues at the 2017 Fly-In on July 26 to make the case for your industry in person.

2017 PLASTICS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AGENDA

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a forward-thinking association that believes in plastics’ ability to improve lives.  We represent the 3rd largest manufacturing sector in the United States employing nearly a million workers in every state and congressional district.  We care deeply about issues that impact our workforce, our customers and our environment and we hope you will call on us as a resource throughout the 115th Congress. 

On behalf of our members, we invest a great deal of time and resources working to achieve the following:  

PLASTICS INDUSTRY PRIORITIES:

  • A Safe Environment for our Workforce – Our employees’ health and safety is a huge priority for our industry and a key focus for many of the programs and committees that make up PLASTICS.  A few examples:
  • Safer Products – Plastics touch our lives in so many different ways.  Plastic packaging keeps our food fresh and safe. Plastics cover our wires and electronic devices, and deliver medicine and medical solutions (including devices that can be implanted right into our bodies). Plastics reduce weight in autos, farm and heavy construction machinery and offers unique benefits in both commercial and residential buildings.

    The plastics industry relies on an army of scientists, researchers, quality control specialists and chemical engineers to ensure that our products are safe.  As an association, we bring together industry experts, regulatory bodies, international agencies and other entities whose primary goal is product safety.  For example: 
     

    • Our Material Supplier Council and other relevant committees bring the industry together with regulators such as the EPA and Department of Transportation on key materials and transport issues. The Council advocates for science-based assessment actively collaborating on the retirement of chemicals of concern. 
    • Our Food, Drug and Cosmetic Packaging Materials Committee as well as our Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Applications Committee connect industry experts with key agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Pharmacopeia, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and counterpart agencies around the world to assure safe medical and food contact and effective food preservation.  
    • Our Wire and Cable Section commissions fact finding reports from third-party professionals such as Underwriters Laboratory, to define and codify safe levels of power over LAN cabling.  The 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) reflects their commitment to safe management of the existing infrastructure. 
       
  • Sustainable Management of Materials – Plastics are the most sustainable material for most applications.  They require fewer resources and less energy to produce.  They promote energy efficiency (think lightweight cars and building materials). They protect embodied energy of products.  And, at the end of their intended use, plastics can be recycled into new products or converted back into usable energy sources.  Our industry efforts include:
    • Promoting the use of recycled plastics in new products.
    • Educating members on how to recycle more and make their products easier for consumers to recycle.
    • Demonstrating viable business models for collecting and recycling different types of plastic materials from locations like offices, hospitals, malls and automobile graveyards.
    • Incentivizing companies to eliminate waste and increase recycling.
    • Measuring  the amount of wasted recyclable plastic material.
    • Collaborating with organizations like the Recycling Partnership, Keep America Beautiful, The Sustainable Packaging Coalition, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Trash-Free Waters Program and the Ocean Conservancy to fight pollution and make recycling easier and more available.
    • Sharing best practices for waste management with other countries, particularly rapidly emerging economies in Southeast Asia, through global coalitions. 

HOW CONGRESS CAN HELP:

As far as Congress goes, you can do so much to create jobs—both directly and indirectly for hard working Americans who want a better life for themselves and their families.  We urge you to focus on growth and innovation, specifically policies that make this country one where:

  • Business investment is rewarded through the tax code;
  • Government regulations are truly focused on shared values of health, safety and environmental protection;
  • Trade policy strengthens businesses and allows them to thrive both at home and abroad. 

From the technological advancements we enable to the possibilities we create, PLASTICS is dedicated to helping our members shape the future and make a positive impact every day.  The attached link highlights key plastics industry statistics and contributions to the U.S. economy.   

Over the next several months, you will see more of both me and my staff as we carry our message to Capitol Hill.  On July 26th, our members will be in town to tell you more about their innovative businesses and the hardworking Americans that they employ.  We hope you will take time to meet with them.  We will be reaching out directly next month to schedule meetings for our Plastics Day on Capitol Hill.  In the meantime, please contact me or any of our staff experts.

Together with our members, we look forward to working with you on our goals to create a better industry and a better world. 

Bill Carteaux
Chairman and CEO
Plastics Industry Association

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