As sustainability moves to the forefront of manufacturing priorities, the plastics industry is taking meaningful steps toward a more circular future — and the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) continues to spotlight these efforts through a series of impactful initiatives.
Plastic Recycling Week: Getting the message out
From Nov. 10-16, PLASTICS celebrated its annual Plastic Recycling Week, reaffirming the industry’s commitment to advancing recycling efforts across the United States. This weeklong observance provided an important opportunity to highlight the progress, innovations and partnerships driving a more circular economy for plastics.
“Plastic Recycling Week reminds us that increasing recycling rates in America takes collaboration, innovation and long-term commitment,” said PLASTICS President and CEO Matt Seaholm. “Our industry is investing in the infrastructure and technologies that make recycling more efficient, reduce waste and strengthen the environmental benefits of plastics. Each improvement brings us closer to a more sustainable future where plastic materials are continuously reused and repurposed.”
Throughout the week, PLASTICS collaborated with industry partners to share key messages about recycling progress, challenges and opportunities to enhance the recycling system nationwide. For material suppliers, equipment suppliers and processors, this initiative represented not just a responsibility but also a meaningful investment — one that improves operational efficiency, reduces material loss and supports the long-term viability of the circular economy.
Bioplastics Week: Materials in the spotlight
In October, PLASTICS celebrated its 10th annual Bioplastics Week. Led by the PLASTICS Bioplastics Division, this initiative underscored the growing role of biobased and biodegradable plastics as key components of a circular and sustainable materials strategy.
The campaign leveraged a robust social media presence — including infographics, reports, blog posts and videos — inviting stakeholders to use the hashtag #BioplasticsWeek to share informative content on feedstocks, manufacturing, applications and end-of-life solutions. This year, the Bioplastics Week campaign garnered over 40,000 impressions on social media.
The campaign demonstrated how the entire plastics supply chain — from material innovators to processors and end users — can collaborate to advance new materials and end-of-life processes. By increasing visibility and engagement, the initiative showcased the potential of bioplastics and biobased materials to complement existing recycling systems and strengthen the broader circular economy.
OCS CON 2025: Resin stewardship in action
Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), which is operated by PLASTICS and the American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division, hosted OCS CON 2025 Oct. 15-17 in Indianapolis, bringing together leaders from across the value chain under OCS, the globally recognized resin stewardship program. The three-day event featured more than 130 attendees, over 35 speakers across 21 sessions, hands-on facility tours and a community waterway cleanup along the White River.
“Each conversation shared at OCS CON 2025 moves us closer to a future where zero resin loss is not just an aspiration, but a future where all plastic is kept in the circular economy and out of the environment. PLASTICS is working to prove that sustainability and performance can — and must — go hand in hand,” said Patrick Krieger, senior VP of sustainability and policy at PLASTICS.
The success of OCS CON underscored that system design, supply chain risk management and pre-competitive collaboration are integral to preventing resin loss. Whether through processing, conveying, packaging or logistics, every point from supplier to final product plays a role in keeping valuable materials in use.
Together, these sustainability initiatives — Plastic Recycling Week, Bioplastics Week and OCS CON — serve as powerful illustrations of how PLASTICS is leading the industry toward sustainable manufacturing and circular outcomes. For industry professionals, the message is clear: upgrading systems, embracing material innovation, collaborating across the value chain and tracking measurable outcomes are no longer optional — they’re essential. The plastics industry is evolving, and sustainability is firmly at its center.
