HOUSTON, T.X. — Hundreds of leaders from across the plastics supply chain are gathering in Houston this week for the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) 2026 National Plastics Conference, bringing the industry together in one of the nation’s leading regions for plastics manufacturing.
As part of the conference, PLASTICS partnered with Keep Houston Beautiful and the Friends of Woodland Park to host a community cleanup at Woodland Park, where 40 volunteers collected more than 400 pounds of litter and mismanaged waste, including 12 pounds of recyclable material. PLASTICS is partnering with Geared for GREEN to collect and manage the recovered recyclable material from the cleanup.
“As one of the nation’s leading regions for plastics manufacturing, Houston is the perfect backdrop for our annual gathering of industry leaders to connect, challenge each other and think bigger about the future,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association. “This year’s conference is focused on leadership and the role our industry can play in shaping what comes next. At a time when people are placing greater trust in their employers and business leaders, our members have an opportunity to turn that trust into stronger organizations, stronger connections to their communities and an industry that makes an impact.”
The National Plastics Conference brings together leaders from across the plastics supply chain for conversations focused on the business, policy and economic issues shaping the industry. The sessions are designed to challenge attendees to think beyond the day-to-day, exchange ideas with peers and explore how industry leaders can navigate change, strengthen their organizations and help shape the future of plastics.
The fifth annual litter cleanup was organized by the Community Impact Task Group of PLASTICS’ Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) initiative, giving emerging industry leaders an opportunity to work together outside the conference, give back to the communities that host PLASTICS events and help keep waste out of the environment.
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 $551 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.
