The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is celebrating Earth Day 2017 by highlighting and applauding industry-wide achievements geared toward promoting and increasing sustainability. PLASTICS’ sustainability efforts, led by our Vice President of Sustainability Kim Holmes, are tangible initiatives that PLASTICS’ members can use to both implement programs and achieve bottom-line business goals.

This Earth Day, plastics industry professionals can join PLASTICS in celebrating:

• Second Annual Re|focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit to welcome additional speakers. On June 27-29, 2017, PLASTICS in partnership with the sustainability division of SPE (Society of Plastics Engineers), will host a three-day summit to help the plastics industry take its sustainability goals from aspirational to operational. In honor of Earth Day, attendees may take $50 off of registration using the code EARTHDAY, which will expire April 30. Newly announced speakers include:
  • Deborah Mielweski – Senior Technical Leader of Materials Sustainability, Ford Motor Company’s Research and Innovation
  • Sandeep Kulkarni – Senior Principal Scientist, PepsiCo
  • Michael McKittrick  – U.S. Department of Energy
  • Matthew Banks – World Wildlife Fund
  • Susan Graff  – Vice President and Partner, Resource Recycling Systems
  • Scott Wood – Manager EDF Business, EDF Climate Corps
• Berry Global to receive Zero Net Waste designation. Berry Global’s Baltimore facility will become the second company to receive PLASTICS’ Zero Net Waste designation. The Zero Net Waste program recognizes companies that take steps to drive toward zero net waste in manufacturing. Berry Global’s Baltimore facility has worked over the last 5 years to reduce their waste by 15 tons per month. This was partially achieved by finding recycling outlets for additional waste streams. The Zero Net Waste recognition program is available to all PLASTICS members, and provides a step-by-step guide. Learn more about the Zero Net Waste program here.
• Senate introduction of the Saving our Seas Act (S.756). PLASTICS supports marine debris reduction efforts, whether it’s through educating people how to better recycle or creating industry recycling and sustainability initiatives that encourage minimizing waste and designing products for recycling. The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee recently unanimously approved the “Save Our Seas Act,” and we applaud their efforts in committing resources to protect our waterways.