THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY IN THE WEST WPA TODAY THE NEWSLETTER OF THE WESTERN PLASTICS ASSOCIATION

WWW.WESTERNPLASTICS.ORG JUNE 2016

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: AN INDUSTRY BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS

A young friend passed away met, and realize that relationship tionships more than it is oil or recently. Rodrigo was a humble, is the glue that often defines our natural gas. This position has principled 24 year old who humanity. I often think, but seldom given me the chance to build worked at a coffee shop I often write, about issues beyond the these relationship in an industry John Picciuto, President visit. It was difficult to embrace industry in this column that has provided so much for me of the Western Plastics his dad, who works in the and I’m often asked why I have and my family. So this President’s Association kitchen, unable to fathom his spent the last 5 years as Presi- message is a note of thanks to loss but aware that life would dent of this group with no mone- each of you for your continued never be the same. I think of my tary reward or personal gain. support. • own dad, who many of you have But this industry is built on rela- IN THIS ISSUE:

President’s Report 1 WPA Conference Agenda 2 W PA A nnual C o n fe rence Bags 5

Greenhouse Gas 12 JUNE 21–23,2016

Recycling 17 HYATT NEWPORT BEACH Marine Debris 30 Great Opportunity to Learn the Latest: Legislation 37 New Technology • Resin Updates Member News 49

Regulations 61 Latest on Flexible Packaging • Pouch Issues Cal-Recycle Manufacturers Challenge Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Avoid the Carbon Taxes Post Consumer Mandates – Learn to Use PCR GET INFORMED, STAY CONNECTED: details, see pg 2–4 >

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1 WPA CONFERENCE AGENDA HYATT REGENCY NEWPORT BEACH JUNE 21–23, 2016

TUESDAY, JUNE 21 6:00 PM Kick Off Reception – Pacific Room Patio

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 8:00 AM Networking Breakfast – Pacific Room 8:30 AM Welcome, Introductions – Pacific Room John Picciuto, President, Western Plastics Association 8:45 AM Latest in Extrusion & Presses Nick Nigro, Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation Michael Reinhardt, Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corporation

9:45 AM Growth of Flexible Packaging – Peal/Seal, Stand Up Pouches Andy Vocaire, Entec Lamy Chopin III, DOW Specialty Packaging Development 10:30 AM BREAK 10:45 AM Industry Financial Update Tom Blaige, Blaige & Company 11:45 AM NETWORKING LUNCH – Pacific Room Patio 1:30 PM Post Consumer Supply, Customer Demand & Use Roxanne Vaughan, Roplast – Moderator Sandi Childs, Association of Plastic Suppliers Aviv Halimi, Encore Wil Hodge, Colortech Jon Stephens, Avangard Innovative 3:00 PM Customer Perspectives on Packaging Choices Lee Anderson, General Mills 4:00 PM Total Rewards – What to do with Sales Compensation Tim Silvera, VP Ultimate Rewards Consulting, HUB International, Inc.

5:30 PM COCKTAIL RECEPTION 6:30 PM DINNER & LUAU ON THE GOLF COURSE Putting Contests and Prizes!

2 THURSDAY, JUNE 23 7:30 AM Networking Breakfast – Pacific Room Patio 8:00 AM Greetings – Pacific Room John Picciuto, WPA President 8:10 AM How Will YOU Reduce Costs When Cap & Trade Taxes Kick In? Can the Meet Mandated Reduction Numbers? Anoosheh Mostafaei, Ship & Shore Environmental – Moderator Andrea Marr, Regatta Solutions Dominic Barnes, PCMC 9:30 AM Advancements in Technology Todd Somers, Emerald Packaging Miguel Salva, Comexi Jonathan Graunke, INX International Brian Sullivan, ESI 10:45 AM New Resin Products – Success for Bioplastic in the Marketplace Koen Bastiaens, NatureWorks Chris Mitchell, Innovia Tom Pitzi, BASF 11:45 AM Resin Update Samantha Hartke, Petrochem Wire 12:30 PM Wrap-Up

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ANTITRUST STATEMENT As participants in this meeting, we need to be mindful of the constraints of Antitrust laws. There shall be no discussions of agreements or concerted actions that may restrain competition. This prohibition includes the exchange of information concerning individual prices, rates, market practices, claims settlement practices, or any other competitive aspect of an individual company’s operation. Each participant is obligated to speak up immediately for the purpose of preventing any discussion falling outside these bounds.

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BAGS: APBA SUBMITS SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY ENVIRONMENTAL FEE PROTECTION ACT INITIATIVE BY ANDREA CHAVEZ, APBA

The American Progressive Bag voters approve SB 270, the Environmental Fee Protection Alliance (APBA) announced today Environmental Fee Protection Act Act initiative through a random it will submit approximately initiative provides them a choice sample check before the June 30 600,000 signatures to to decide where the bag fees deadline. The APBA supports county registrars’ offices by May mandated under the law go— both the SB 270 referendum 20 to qualify an initiative for the either to increase grocers’ profits and Environmental Fee Protec- November 2016 ballot. The initia- or to help fund worthy environ- tion Act initiative and is commit- STATEWIDE BALLOT tive, titled the “Environmental mental causes.” ted to making sure California Fee Protection Act,” would direct voters are well-informed of the MEASURE WILL According to recent survey data, all money generated or collected impact of these ballot measure 84 percent of California voters— REDIRECT BAG under a state law that mandates before voting in November. across the political spectrum— FEES FROM consumer charges for carryout are united in the opinion that any Environmental Fee Protection bags to an environmental fund, GROCERS TO bag fees imposed by state or Act summary and title rather than to grocers’ profits. It ENVIRONMENTAL local government should go to The Attorney General of Califor- also provides local governments FUND. a public purpose, instead of nia has prepared the following the option to direct local bag fees increasing grocer profit margins. title and summary of the chief to the environmental fund. Senate purpose and points of the pro- Bill 270 was passed in 2014 to “By qualifying the Environmental posed measure: ban plastic retail bags and man- Fee Protection Act initiative, the date grocers charge—and keep— APBA is drawing a clear line of CARRY-OUT BAGS. CHARGES. 10 cents for each paper and separation for voters between INITIATIVE STATUTE. Redirects thicker plastic bags provided to the issue of whether or not to money collected by grocery and their customers. ban plastic bags and the issue certain other retail stores of where bag fees are directed,” through sale of carry-out bags, “SB 270 passed the Legislature said Phil Rozenski, Policy Chair whenever any state law bans free despite being a flawed, job-killing of the APBA. “Regardless of how distribution of a particular kind bill designed to funnel hundreds voters feel about banning plastic of carry-out bag and mandates of millions of dollars in bag fees bags, a YES vote on this initiative the sale of any other kind of to grocers without any money will ensure any state-mandated carry-out bag. Requires stores to going to benefit the environment,” sales charges on carryout bags deposit bag sale proceeds into a said Lee Califf, Executive Director will fund environmental efforts, special fund administered by the of the APBA. “The APBA stayed rather than being retained by Wildlife Conservation Board to implementation of this terrible grocers. And we know this is an support specified categories of law by qualifying a referendum easy choice for California voters.” environmental projects. Provides for the 2016 ballot so California for Board to develop regulations voters have the opportunity to By submitting approximately implementing law. Summary of repeal it—and we have confi- 600,000 signatures with a estimate by Legislative Analyst dence they will. However, should validation rate 75%, the APBA (Continued, see Ballot, page 6) is confident it will qualify the

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BALLOT MEASURE WILL REDIRECT BAG FEES [CONT’D] and Director of Finance of fiscal Revenues would be used for ABOUT THE AMERICAN motes the responsible use, impact on state and local govern- grants for certain environmental PROGRESSIVE BAG reuse, recycling and disposal of ment: If voters uphold the and natural resources purposes. ALLIANCE (APBA) plastic bags and advocates for state’s current carryout bag law, If voters reject the state’s current The American Progressive Bag American-made plastic products redirected revenues from retailers carryout bag law, likely minor Alliance was founded in 2005 to as the best environmental choice to the state, potentially in the fiscal effects. (15-0074.) represent the ’ plas- at check out—for both retailers several tens of millions of dollars tic bag manufacturing and recy- and consumers. • annually. cling sector, employing 30,800 Reprinted from APBA press employees in 349 communities release, May, 19, 2016. across the nation. APBA pro-

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6 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

BAGS: ‘WAR ON PACKAGING’ EMERGES AS A DIPLOMATIC EFFORT WITH INDUSTRY BY DAN HAAR, THE HAAR REPORT

It’s been called the War on Pack- “I’m not really married to any one kicking and screaming, we want aging. But two new measures particular strategy,” Kennedy to lead.” introduced by state Sen. Ted said. “I’m very interested in As it happens, the industry that Kennedy Jr. are shaping up more learning what the industry comes makes 102 billion plastic bags like an aggressive diplomatic up with.” handed out by retailers every effort than a battle against The bag bill Kennedy is rolling year—that’s 800 bags a year for the bags. out would require all single-use every household, if you're count- RATHER THAN The Branford Democrat and co- retail bags to be recyclable and ing—has been working on efforts BAN PLASTIC chairman of the legislature’s made of at least 80 percent recy- to use more “post-consumer” BAGS AND environment committee is cled material by 2020. It would recycled material in the bags it PACKAGING deploying careful tactics with also encourage stores to sell low- ships out to stores. long-term goals, rather than cost recyclable bags, and would “I think he’s got something good MATERIALS, A bombing the industries that call for a memorandum of under- going on there. We’d like to learn COUPLE OF BILLS make plastic retail bags and standing with food retailers, more about it,” said Phil Rozen- packaging materials. similar to one that worked well PUSHED BY TED ski, policy chairman for the Amer- in Massachusetts in 2009, to KENNEDY JR AIM It just might work. A national ican Progressive Bag Alliance and keep more plastic bags out of TO WORK. industry group says it’s ready to a sustainability executive for a regular trash. listen and maybe even join in, at large manufacturer, Novolex. least on the plastic bags front. All of that is a far different strat- “The industry is looking forward egy than Kennedy’s proposal last to working with him.” The packaging bill, new this year, year, which started as a ban. It would require the state Depart- The question is cost. Rozenski never came up for a vote even ment of Energy and Environmen- said he’s not aware of any other after Kennedy reached a compro- tal Protection to amend its solid state proposals to require that mise with food retailers, allowing waste plan by the middle of 2017 bags be made of recycled for the sale of plastic bags. to set a goal of eliminating half material. of all packaging from the trash This time around, Kennedy was Both bills are scheduled for a stream by 2024. It would also inspired when he saw the 10-cent public hearing Friday at 12:30 look at the viability of requiring bags made of recycled material p.m. at the Legislative Office an industry-financed stewardship sold at Stop & Shop. “We want to Building in Hartford, along with program, something like what make this the standard. They’re other environment bills, includ- the state has for paint, mattresses already in use, we’re not making ing one to add batteries to the and electronic equipment. this up,” he said. list of items designated for recy- “Consumer packaging is the The Connecticut Food Associa- cling by cities and towns. single largest component of our tion, which represents retailers, All of these bills play into an solid waste stream,” Kennedy is “willing and able and ready” to ongoing state effort to increase said. It makes up a quarter to talk about a store-led program to the amount of recycled material one-third of municipal trash by reduce use, said from just over one-third of the weight and probably more than Wayne Pesce, president of the (Continued, see Diplomacy, page 8) that by volume. group. “We don’t want to go

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DIPLOMACY TOWARD PLASTICS INDUSTRY [CONT’D]

3.6-million-ton annual waste of which we don’t need. And it solid waste. “We’ve highlighted tresses, but other states have stream in Connecticut, to 60 doesn’t include paper bags, consumer packaging as a main joined in, said Sawyer and Chris percent by 2024. This includes which are friendlier to throw focus of our strategy.” Nelson, a supervising environ- diverting all kinds of refuse that away but apparently use more mental analyst at DEEP. “The One issue with the packaging ends up being burned at one of energy to produce than plastic. states do talk to each other,” bill is that we don’t necessarily the five trash-to-energy plants, Nelson said. As for recycling, we could proba- measure consumer packaging. from toxic materials to yard bly hit the 60 percent figure just Eric Brown, associate counsel at We all know Connecticut is on cuttings to food waste. by tossing fruit and vegetable the Connecticut Business and In- the national watch list when it No one in this conversation is scraps in the compost pile, using dustry Association, is concerned comes to increasing business laying responsibility where it separate bags for yard debris that the packaging bill, which costs. These bills shouldn’t be belongs: with us, the consumers. and reusing packing materials. Kennedy talked about right lumped into that category be- Retailers can’t slam their cus- Plastic bags are not typically before Christmas, makes too cause they should help business. tomers, state officials can’t slam recycled through municipal many assumptions. “We need to And if we all took an active role in taxpayers and politicians cer- collection but may be returned get a handle on the nature of the our own trash lives, we wouldn’t tainly can't slam voters. to stores. problem,” he said. need the bills at all. • But the outrage starts with Amer- DEEP is gathering public com- The wild card in that bill is the Reprinted from Hartford Courant, ican households. Seriously, we’re ments on its plan through April industry stewardship piece, www.courant.com, February 29, using up 800 bags 22. The agency can’t say yet known in the trade as “extended 2016. a year per household, folks. And whether it supports the packag- producer responsibility.” Basi- that accounts for just one-sixth ing bill as it’s worded. “We agree cally, it means manufacturers pay of all polyethylene that’s used, with the goals of the bill and we a small fee up front for collection before we even touch other are energized that the committee and disposal at the back end. forms of plastic for wrapping, is focusing on this,” said Lee Connecticut has been in the fore- packing and carrying stuff, much Sawyer, DEEP project manager in front of this with paint and mat-

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BAGS: MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL APPROVES PLASTIC BAG BAN BY WCCO, CBS MINNESOTA

The Minneapolis City Council has and paper bags will also have Councilwoman Barbara Johnson passed an ordinance that will restrictions. The paper would voted against the ordinance. She change the way businesses bag have to be made of recyclable said ultimately it will raise the customer purchases. material and customers who cost of groceries in Minneapolis choose paper bags would be and force people to shop else- The ordinance bans the use of charged at least a 5-cent fee. where. plastic bags and charges a fee • for paper bags. On the flip side, shoppers who Reprinted from WCCO, CBS take their own reusable bags to Minnesota, April 1, 2016. City councilors Cam Gordon and the grocery store would get at THE ORDINANCE Abdi Warsame first proposed the least a 10-cent credit. BANS THE USE ordinance to reduce litter and OF PLASTIC BAGS waste in the city. The Minneapolis City Council says plastic bags used for fast AND CHARGES After debating the issue more food, dry cleaning and news - than an hour and raising more A FEE FOR PAPER papers would be a few of the questions than answers, it BAGS. exceptions under the ordinance. seemed as though the council would postpone its decision. The ordinance is set to go into But eventually the ordinance effect in April 2017, though passed Friday morning. that could change. Several city departments have been asked Plastic bags used to pack cus- to research ways to implement tomers’ purchases at checkout and enforce the plastic bag ban. will be banned in Minneapolis,

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BAGS: APPROVES BAG FEES BY EDITORIAL STAFF, RESOURCE RECYCLING

After two years of intense and However, the plastics recycling The legislation will require the heated debate, New York’s City industry has taken steps to bol- City to report on the impact of Council narrowly passed legisla- ster the infrastructure of plastic the bill in a study to be completed tion last week to apply a mini- bag recycling through drop-off by 2019. mum 5 cent fee on bags. Stores locations and other approaches. Businesses found to be violating will have the option to charge The New York Times reported the the ordinance will be charged more if they so choose and will bag-fee decision in New York was $250 for the first violation and be able to keep the fees when “one of the closest votes in $500 for each subsequent the measure goes into effect STARTING IN years, with 28 City Council mem- violation. Oct. 1. • bers eventually supporting the OCTOBER, NYC Reprinted from www.resource- The bill was championed by New measure—just two more than recycling.com, May 9, 2016. SHOPPERS WILL York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who the 26 needed for legislation BE CHARGED AT said in a statement the fee policy to pass. Other cities that have LEAST A NICKEL could reduce paper and plastic passed bag-fee ordinances FOR EACH PAPER bag waste by as much as 60 include Boulder, Colo., Portland, OR PLASTIC BAG percent. Maine and Washington D.C. A number of local governments “The Council’s legislation strikes THEY ARE GIVEN have banned plastic shopping the right balance, reducing re- AT CHECK-OUT. bags altogether. liance on single-use bags and incentivizing the use of reusable The New York measure, which bags, while safeguarding con- was opposed by the American sumers with some logical exemp- Progressive Bag Alliance and tions to protect vulnerable New other groups, will not affect Yorkers,” de Blasio said. emergency food providers, such as food pantries and soup An issue for recycling facilities kitchens. Those entities will be Plastic bags have long been iden- allowed to continue offering tified as a problematic material bags without attaching any fee. for operators of materials recov- ery facilities in the U.S. The Plastic bags for produce will not bags can tangle in sorting equip- be subject to the fee either. ment and cause slowdowns in processing.

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GREENHOUSE GAS: LAO NUMBERS ON CAP-N-TRADE SURE MAKE IT FEEL LIKE A TAX BY JOEL FOX, SMALL BUSINESS ACTION COMMITTEE

The Legislative Analyst’s letter A number of legislators com- center beam holding the unsta- to Assemblyman Tom Lackey menting on the LAO’s letter to ble finance scheme together for revealing that the cap-and-trade Assemblyman Lackey suggested the moment. program’s effect on gasoline that the $2 billion that is raised While the LAO’s figure on the amounts to $2 billion a year or by placing cap and trade on price increase per gallon was on 11-cents a gallon is no surprise to gasoline production should be the low end of predictions, the readers of this page. Numerous dedicated to the roads. Senator figure quoted was in the range writers over the last number of Pat Bates said, “Let’s use the that many experts expected. Car years pointed to the cost that $2 billion dollars that drivers are MANY OF THESE drivers pumping those extra dol- would make its way to con- already paying to improve our lars into the state coffers don’t PROJECTS ONLY sumers at the pump under cap- transportation infrastructure see a direct benefit. (A few might, and-trade. instead of asking them for DEAL WITH according to the LAO letter, such another tax increase.” GREENHOUSE More to the point is the issue of as those drivers who receive GASES IN A whether cap-and-trade revenue Governor Jerry Brown has called rebates for electric vehicle ROUNDABOUT results from a tax? While that on the legislature to raise taxes purchases.) question is being decided by for roads and transportation WAY. Yet, most of the programs don’t courts of law thanks to suits infrastructure. show a nexus between the brought by the California Cham- Cap-and-trade revenue has found money collected and where the ber of Commerce and others, its way to a wide range of projects, money is spent. That is an impor- I think the LAO’s analysis will all supposedly fashioned to deal tant distinction because a fee convince the people of California with greenhouse gases, as the must have a measurable link. If that they are paying a tax. cap-and-trade law requires. The cap-and-trade revenue is judged The California Air Resources problem is that many of these to come from a tax, the legislation Board argues that businesses projects only deal with green- creating cap-and-trade would partake in the cap-and-trade house gases in a roundabout have required a two-thirds vote, auction voluntarily, nullifying the way. File these programs under: which it did not get. argument that the revenues are The law is satisfied in the eye Still, the first judge who heard a result of a tax. But, the con- of the beholder. In important the case sided with the state. If sumers are stuck with the bill instances, that eye belongs to the public becomes aware of the when it comes to gasoline. There the governor. costs associated with cap-and- is nothing voluntary about the Cap-and-trade money is buttress- trade at the pump, I suspect the added 11-cents a gallon. Applying ing his high-speed-rail legacy people will agree with the Cham- the old duck test, if it walks and project. Think of those train tres- ber’s interpretation. Higher quacks like a duck it’s a tax. tles that cross a gorge with the courts may, too. • The question is: to what purpose? rickety timber creaking and Reprinted from www.foxand- swaying as the train passes by. houndsdaily.com, April 8, 2016. The cap-and-trade money is the

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GREENHOUSE GAS: LEGISLATURE’S ATTORNEY SAYS GOV BROWN CAN’T SET CLIMATE TARGETS BY DAVID SIDERS, SACRAMENTO BEE

Gov. Jerry Brown exceeded his But Legislative Counsel Diane “While the 2020 limit is an impor- authority when he issued an Boyer-Vine’s opinion, dated Tues- tant first step in measuring ambitious greenhouse gas reduc- day, suggests the significance of progress, climate change will not tion target for California last year, an ongoing, difficult effort by end in 2020 and AB 32 explicitly the Legislature’s attorney has Democratic lawmakers to extend states the intent to ‘maintain and told lawmakers. beyond 2020 the provisions of continue reductions in emissions Assembly Bill 32 and its signa- of greenhouse gases beyond In a letter to Senate Republican ture program, cap-and-trade, 2020,’” he said. OPINION COMES Leader Jean Fuller, R-Bakersfield, in which polluters pay to offset AMID UNCER- the state’s legislative counsel The hearing came as Brown left carbon emissions. TAINTY ABOUT said Brown does not have the the state for the United Nations EXTENSION OF authority, without legislative The law “does not authorize the in New York to participate in approval, to extend beyond 2020 (California Air Resources Board) events Friday related to the CAP-AND-TRADE. the provisions of Assembly Bill or the governor to set an emis- global climate agreement 32, California’s landmark green- sions limit after 2020 that is reached last year in . • house gas reduction law. lower than” the 1990 target, Reprinted from www.sacbee.com, Boyer-Vine wrote. Brown last year issued an execu- April 21, 2016. tive order seeking to reduce State Sen. Jim Nielsen, a Gerber greenhouse gas emissions in Republican who referenced the California to 40 percent below legislative counsel’s opinion at a 1990 levels by 2030. But subse- committee hearing Thursday, quent legislation stalled. said, “Can the cap-and-trade program be applied or used Brown, a fourth-term Democrat, beyond December 31, 2020? has made climate change a prior- Answer: No.” ity of his administration. Follow- ing setbacks in the Legislature Stanley Young, a spokesman for last year, amid resistance from the ARB, said in an email that the Republicans and moderate administration does not agree Democrats, Brown vowed to with the legislative counsel’s move forward with climate legal assessment. change policies on his own.

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GREENHOUSE GAS: CALIFORNIA’S CHANGING CLIMATE BY STEPHEN ORAVA AND CLINTON LONG, KING & SPALDING USA

As the eighth largest economy in Importantly, cement is a com- its objectives under AB 32. In the world, the US state of Califor- modity product that is sold on December 2008 ARB approved nia has emerged as an important the basis of price, and it is highly its initial Scoping Plan, which laboratory for the development interchangeable regardless of included, among many other of climate change laws and regu- source. Thus, in the face of com- measures, the implementation of lations. The foundation for Cali- petition from unregulated an economy-wide ‘cap-and-trade’ fornia’s legal and regulatory sources, the cement industry programme. Through subsequent framework is Assembly Bill32 cannot pass on its climate regulations, ARB established a (AB 32), the “California Global change compliance costs. As a limit on emissions from sources Warming Solutions Act of 2006.” result, the cement industry faces that account for 85 percent of The implementation of AB 32 an extreme risk of ‘leakage,’ California’s GHG emissions. THE CAP WAS requires California to balance the which occurs when consumption The cap was set in 2013 and it SET IN 2013 AND objective of reducing greenhouse shifts from one source (such as reduces by 2–3 percent each REDUCES BY 2–3 gas (GHG) emissions with the California) that is subject to ef- year from 2014 to 2020. In very PERCENT EACH statutory requirement to min- fective climate change reduction general terms, ARB issues YEAR TO 2020. imise the risk of carbon leakage. measures to another source ‘allowances’ (or GHG emissions (such as imports from countries ‘permits’) for each compliance CO2 and carbon leakage in the with lower emissions standards). period through auctions, direct cement industry The consequences of leakage are allocation, or other mechanisms, This balance is particularly im- higher global GHG emissions, with the number of available al- portant to the cement industry. and substantial harm and disin- lowances reducing over time to Cement has the highest ca rbon vestment in the cement sector correspond to the declining cap. intensity of virtually any product that faces climate change regula- and the chemical reaction from To minimise leakage, ARB regula- tions. cement production itself results tions provide for the free alloca- in C02 emissions. These so- California's regulatory approach tion of allowances for certain called ‘process emissions’ repre- Under AB 32, the California Air industrial sectors that are partic- sent over 50 per cent of a cement Resources Board (ARB) is re- ularly susceptible to leakage. By plant’s direct GHG emissions. quired to reduce GHG emissions providing a portion of allowances Unless there is a fundamental to the levels in 1990 by 2020 and for free, ARB intends to limit technological breakthrough, to adopt regulations to achieve compliance costs and thus miti- these cannot be reduced in any the maximum technologically- gate the risk that consumption in meaningful way. Moreover, every feasible and cost-effective GHG California will shift to sources cement facility has substantial emission reductions. In develop- outside the state that are not economic incentives to reduce ing GHG reduction measures, in- subject to effective climate energy use for combustion. Thus, cluding any market-based change measures. The.number of most cement plants have already mechanisms, ARB was required free allowances provided to a implemented the most energy- to minimise costs and maximise covered entity is calculated by efficient technologies available total benefits to California, con- multiplying its output by the and have no readily available op- sider cost-effectiveness, and applicable industry ‘carbon inten- tions to make further reductions. minimise leakage. sity’ benchmark, by the ‘assis- As a result, the cement industry tance factor’ (which corresponds AB 32 provides that ARB must faces the high and often increas- to that sector’s leakage risk), and issue a ‘Scoping Plan’ every five ing cost of carbon under climate by the ‘cap adjustment factor’ years setting out how it will meet change regulations. (Continued, see Blocks, page 15)

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BUILDING BLOCKS FOR GHG COOPERATION [CONT’D]

(which declines over time consis- California’s cap-and-trade system 2016. The issuance of the Final issued draft regulations propos- tent with the overall fall in the is in the middle of its second Scoping Plan would trigger the ing a cap-and-trade system that economy-wide cap). compliance period (2015–17) and regulatory development process bears many similarities to Califor- ARB is developing regulatory in 2017. nia’s system. ARB established the industry’s amendments in advance of the benchmark using emissions of Notably, the Governor of Califor- These developments are the third compliance period (2018– the ‘best-in-class’ facility and nia, Jerry Brown, established the building blocks of what could be 20). These amendments are not because of the high risk of leak- current target for emissions additional cooperation and col- expected to have a significant age in the cement industry, reductions (40 percent below laboration between large geo- impact on the cement industry, adopted an assistance factor of 1990 levels by 2030) in an Execu- graphic regions in North America. but ARB is also preparing the 100 percent through 2020. To tive Order. However, the Execu- Such broader cooperation may next Scoping Plan, which will account for the industry’s inabil- tive Order and AB 32 may not emerge from the North American cover proposals for how ARB will ity to reduce over half of its emis- provide ARB with sufficient legal Leaders Summit in Canada this meet emissions targets for the sions (ie, its process emissions), authority to adopt and enforce summer, given the March 2016 post-2020 period. Key elements ARB halved the cap adjustment reductions below the ‘statewide commitment by Canadian Prime that ARB is considering include, factor to lessen the overall de- greenhouse gas emissions limit’ Minister, Justin Trudeau, and US how to: cline in free allowances over established for 2020. New legis- President, Barack Obama, to con- time. Even with these measures, • set post–2020 caps lation expressly authorising such tinue collaborating on emissions however, the cement industry further reductions would remove and other climate change issues, • allocate allowances post–2020 remains exposed to leakage this uncertainty. and to work together with Mexico (including how to incorporate the because its fungible product was on climate change mitigation. allocation for purchased/ob- North American building blocks still exposed to compliance costs Additional momentum to enact tained electricity in the industrial for global cooperation based on the requirement to pur- and impose laws and regulations sector) California established its climate chase the incremental number related to climate change may be change regime as a cornerstone of allowances necessary to fulfil • address effectively the risk of generated on the global level in to building broad domestic and each company’s total compliance leakage as compliance costs the follow-up to the December international cooperation. Cali- obligation. The leakage risk escalate (including whether to 2015 meetings of the United Na- fornia’s cap-and-trade system is associated with these costs will adopt a border adjustment and/ tions Framework Convention on designed to ‘link’ to similar sys- increase over time as the number or undertake other mitigating Climate Change. tems implemented by other juris- of free allowances continues to measures) dictions. As of 2014 the cap-and- As local, regional and global decline. Recognising this expo- • link with other cap-and-trade trade systems of California and developments continue, the sure and the need to evaluate programmes in other states/ Quebec are linked, which means treatment of the cement industry additional leakage mitigation provinces. that parties in either location can in California will provide impor- measures for t he cement sector, After a series of workshops in the trade allowances and offsets and tant insight into the unique chal- ARB adopted a resolution calling spring, ARB is expected to issue participate in joint auctions to lenges facing this sector. for the evaluation of a border • its draft post–2020 Scoping Plan purchase allowances. Other juris- adjustment measure that would Reprinted with permission, in late summer or early autumn, dictions are also using the Cali- impose similar compliance costs May 2016. with presentation of the Final fornia cap-and-trade model as on imports of cement. Scoping Plan to ARB for approval they implement climate change potentially before the end of regulations. Ontario recently

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16 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: U.S. PAPER RECOVERY RATE INCREASED TO 66.8 PERCENT IN 2015 BY KATHARINE EATON, AF&PA

The American Forest & Paper The annual paper recovery rate and recyclable resources and Association (AF&PA) announced has nearly doubled since 1990 are committed to continuous that 66.8 percent of paper con- and the industry has set a goal to improvement through the indus- sumed in the U.S. was recovered exceed 70 percent paper recov- try’s sustainability initiative— for recycling in 2015. ery for recycling by 2020 as part Better Practices, Better Planet of its Better Practices, Better 2020. The forest products indus- U.S. paper recovery rate statis- Planet 2020 sustainability initia- try accounts for approximately tics are available at www.paper- tive. Paper recovery for recycling 4 percent of the total U.S. manu- THE ANNUAL recycles.org/statistics. PAPER RECOVERY helps extend the useful life of facturing GDP, manufactures over “Industry efforts, the voluntary, paper and paper-based packag- $200 billion in products annually, RATE HAS NEARLY market-driven recovery system, ing products, making it an and employs approximately DOUBLED SINCE and the millions of Americans integral part of the industry’s 900,000 men and women. The 1990. who make the decision to recycle sustainability story. industry meets a payroll of every day have helped to keep approximately $50 billion For more information about U.S. paper recovery at continu- annually and is among the top paper recycling and AF&PA’s ously high levels,” said AF&PA 10 manufacturing sector commitment to sustainability, President and CEO Donna Harman. employers in 47 states. visit www.paperrecycles.org. • “Our industry will continue to ABOUT THE AF&PA Press release reprinted from support and implement educa- American Forest & Paper The American Forest & Paper tion programs and initiatives to Association, May 5, 2016. Association (AF&PA) serves to inform consumers about the advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, importance of paper recycling, paper, packaging, tissue and and encourage the continued wood products manufacturing expansion of access to paper industry through fact-based pub- recycling nationwide,” said AF& lic policy and marketplace advo- PA Board Chairman and Packag- cacy. AF&PA member companies ing Corporation of America Chair- make products essential for man and CEO Mark Kowlzan. everyday life from renewable

17 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: DOW JOINS THE RECYCLING PARTNERSHIP BY BECKY ZAVALA, THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

In its latest move to advance quality improvement programs als, agrosciences and plastics the circular economy, The Dow already slated for a number of businesses delivers a broad Chemical Company has just cities, adding to the 165,000 range of technology-based prod- signed on as a funding sponsor carts delivered last year. ucts and solutions to customers of The Recycling Partnership. The in approximately 180 countries “We appreciate that Dow is collaboration is an important and in high-growth sectors such actively engaging in real world step in Dow’s journey to reach as packaging, electronics, water, efforts to improve the sustain- its 2025 Sustainability Goals, coatings and agriculture. In 2015, ability and recyclability of plastic which include turning materials Dow had annual sales of nearly THE RECYCLING packaging,” shared Keefe Harri- formerly considered waste into $49 billion and employed ap- son, The Recycling Partnership’s PARTNERSHIP new products. proximately 49,500 people executive director. “Dow uses worldwide. The Company’s more CONTINUES TO “At Dow, we are collaborating well-informed tactics and strate- than 6,000 product families are DELIVER TANGIBLE with other industry leaders to gic partnerships to make manufactured at 179 sites in 35 RESULTS. harness science, industries and progress, and it topples tough countries across the globe. Refer- the incredibly powerful Human barriers with a can-do attitude. ences to “Dow” or the “Com- Element to transition to a sus- We have that in common, and pany” mean The Dow Chemical tainable planet and society,” said we’re undoubtedly stronger Company and its consolidated Karen S. Carter, North America together.” subsidiaries unless otherwise commercial vice president, Dow Dow marks the 23rd member expressly noted. Packaging and Specialty Plastics. of The Recycling Partnership, “From supporting the engage- further expanding the group’s ABOUT THE RECYCLING ment of best practices in existing resources and reach. For more on PARTNERSHIP local recycling programs, to The Recycling Partnership partners, sponsors and projects, creating new technologies for (www.recyclingpartnership.org) visit www.recyclingpartnership.org. broader material recovery, Dow is a dynamic industry collabora- is dedicated to finding solutions ABOUT DOW tion focused on systematically that increase recovery rates for Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the and measurably improving curb- plastic packaging.” power of science and technology side recycling in the United to passionately innovate what is States. Working with community The Recycling Partnership contin- essential to human progress. The and industry partners nation- ues to deliver tangible results, Company is driving innovations wide, our strength lies in our improving recovery of high qual- that extract value from material, best-in-class operational and ity recyclables for manufacturing , chemical and biological technical support, proven com- feedstock across the country. In science to help address many of munity outreach approaches, 2015 the national nonprofit lever- the world’s most challenging and highly leveraged seed grants aged $11 million of new recycling problems such as the need for to communities. infrastructure that positively • clean water, clean energy genera- impacted 1.2 million households. Press release reprinted from Dow tion and conservation, and in- In 2016, The Recycling Partner- Chemical Company, April 8, 2016. creasing agricultural productivity. ship will further transform the Dow’s integrated, market-driven, secondary material landscape, industry-leading portfolio of spe- with curbside cart launches and cialty chemical, advanced materi-

18 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: EU VOWS TOUGH ENFORCEMENT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY PACKAGE BY JAMES CRISP, EDIE NEWSROOM

The circular economy package of Plastic Pipes and Fittings Associ- But the new circular economy waste and recycling laws will be ation (TEPPFA) Forum in Brus- package has lower 2030 targets backed by tougher European sels. “Pragmatism, enforcement for recycling municipal and pack- Commission enforcement than and implementation are much aging waste. For municipal seen under previous administra- more present than before in waste, the new target is 65%, tions, an official told plastic the discussion.” rather than 70%, and for packag- industry delegates. ing it is 75% rather than 80%. Infringement cases are legal The rules, subject to approval by actions launched by the The Commission argues that THE RULES ARE the Parliament and the Council Commission against EU member additional measures, such as A FIRST STEP TO of Ministers, are a first step to states that fail to observe EU initiatives focusing on designing adapting the economy to a future law. Ultimately they can lead to products to make them easier ADAPTING THE of finite resources and a booming large fines. to recycle, made the new rules ECONOMY TO population more ambitious. Despite the threat of infringe- A FUTURE OF Fulvia Raffaelli, deputy head of ment cases, some EU countries Raffaelli said the lower targets FINITE RE- unit at DG Grow, the lead depart- have continuously ignored were pragmatic but, combined SOURCES. ment on the Package, said the EU legislation. with this broader “vision,” were current Juncker Commission was still ambitious. Because the In March 2015, every single mem- “more committed” to policing its targets were more realistic, she ber state with the sole exception rules than its predecessor, the implied, strong enforcement of Malta was hit by legal action Barroso administration. would be justified. over failures to put the Energy But the circular economy pack- Efficiency Directive into place. Pragmatism, enforcement and age would not be allowed to implementation “were really the “We need to discuss this with harm the international competi- basis of the new proposal,” she different member states and tiveness of European industry, said, along with the business we are working on that,” said warned Giovanni La Via, chairman opportunities the package Raffaelli, who stressed the need of the European Parliament’s would create. for industries to help police the Environment Committee. new framework by providing, International competitiveness The rules, subject to approval by detailed technical information. Concerns have been raised that the Parliament and the Council of higher environmental standards The circular economy package Ministers, are a first step to in the EU have left industries was controversially withdrawn adapting the economy to a future vulnerable to being undercut and re-tabled by the Juncker of finite resources and a booming by competitors from countries Commission as part of its drive population by ensuring as little is such as China, which can make for ‘better regulation.’ wasted as possible. products cheaper. Commission First Vice-President “Enforcement is crucial. In DG But La Via, an Italian member Frans Timmermans promised Grow, and the whole Commis- of the European People’s Party, MEPs the new package would sion, we are all working very hard said that would not be allowed be “more ambitious” than the on different infringement cases,” to happen. one forward by the previous Raffaelli said at The European (Continued, see Crucial, page 20) Barroso Commission.

19 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

ENFORCEMENT IS CRUCIAL [CONT’D]

“We don’t want to reduce Euro- The Parliament would set out He added it was a shame that a But Ferran Rosa of Zero Waste pean competitiveness,” he said, its position in November. If the year had been lost in the with- Europe said the package could “we can lead the world [in envi- Council was ready to begin nego- drawal and redrawing of the new not be pragmatic and ambitious ronmental legislation] but we tiations over the final text, the rules. at the same time. cannot strongly reduce the com- package could be approved soon Ambitious enough? “It’s impossible to reach a sys- petitiveness of our industry. after, he said. Karl-H Foerster, executive direc- temic change relying on low- “We well consider the environ- But MEPs wanted binding and tor of PlasticsEurope, said that hanging, easily implemented ment but we have to combine ambitious targets that were the the guidelines and framework of low-hanging fruits,” he said. • the environment and competi- same for all member states, he the package was strong enough Reprinted from edie.net, tiveness and find a good solu- said. The current Commission to change industry behaviour April 6, 2016. tion,” he added. proposal has tailored targets and investment patterns. depending on the country. But he warned that the Parlia- He said the plastics industry had ment and the Environment Com- “The new proposal should not begun using innovative ways to mittee would carefully assess the create double-standards and use waste as feedstock in ambition of the package, which further deepen the differences production. That would only includes four waste bills, to across the EU leading to two-tier increase as such innovations be- evaluate if Timmermans had circular economy and undermin- came more commercially viable kept his promise. ing the single market,” he said. once they had been proved.

20 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: NEW TOOLKIT OFFERS RESOURCES TO INCREASE RECOVERY OF FOODSERVICE PACKAGING BY LYNN DYER, FOODSERVICE PACKAGING INSTITUTE

The newly launched Foodservice With help from the National ABOUT FPI Packaging Recovery Toolkit, Restaurant Association, a section Founded in 1933, the Foodservice found at www.recyclefsp.org, was incorporated for foodservice Packaging Institute is the leading provides free resources for recov- operators, which offers step-by- authority for the North American ering foodservice packaging, step guidance for implementing foodservice packaging industry. thanks to a multi-year effort with an in-store recycling and/or com- FPI encourages the responsible input from many stakeholders. posting program. Resources use of all foodservice packaging include free downloadable and RESOURCES “Recovering cups, containers, through promotion of its benefits customizable forms and tem- INCLUDE A FIRST- boxes, bags and other foodser- and members’ products. Serving plates, educational videos and a vice packaging is a topic of as the voice of the industry to OF-ITS-KIND MAP first-of-its-kind map highlighting intense interest not only for con- educate and influence stakehold- HIGHLIGHTING recycling and composting policies sumers but also for the foodser- ers, FPI provides a legal forum that may impact foodservice RECYCLING AND vice packaging supply chain and to address the challenges and operators in the U.S. and Canada. COMPOSTING those in the recycling and com- opportunities facing the foodser- POLICIES IN posting industries,” said Lynn M. An additional section, currently vice packaging industry. Mem- Dyer, president of the Foodser- under development, will be bers include foodservice THE U.S. AND packaging manufacturers and CANADA. vice Packaging Institute. “We’ve geared toward operators of created this toolkit to respond to composting and anaerobic their raw material and machinery the questions and needs of many digestion facilities. suppliers, restaurants, grocery different stakeholders involved in and convenience stores, distribu- To showcase the new website the recovery process.” tors and nearly 50 school dis- and toolkit, FPI is presenting a tricts, colleges and universities. The toolkit, developed by FPI’s free webinar on April 21 at 2 PM Paper Recovery Alliance and eastern. Space is limited, and ABOUT PRA AND PRG Plastics Recovery Group, is sepa- registration is required. The Paper Recovery Alliance and rated into different sections Plastics Recovery Group were For more information on FPI’s based on target audiences. For formed under the Foodservice recovery efforts, contact FPI Vice communities, material recovery Packaging Institute to create vol- President Natha Dempsey at facilities and end markets, the untary, market-based solutions [email protected]. toolkit highlights studies done for the recovery and processing by the PRA and PRG, maps out of used paper and plastic food- potential end markets for recy- service packaging, respectively. cled material and shares case Members include stakeholders studies of successful foodservice from throughout the packaging packaging recovery. and recovery value chains. • Press release reprinted from Foodservice Packaging Institute, March 23, 2016.

21 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: ACTIVISTS CALL FOR OREO, CHIPS AHOY PACKAGING TO BE RECYCLABLE BY GREG TROTTER, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Some Oreo and Chips Ahoy pack- “We are sending a message here In its response, Mondelez says aging isn’t recyclable and often that’s slowly catching on,” said it’s already taking other meas- ends up in the ocean where it Conrad MacKerron, senior vice ures to reduce waste so that less harms marine life, according to a president of As You Sow. “We’ll packaging ends up in the landfill, shareholder activist group push- see what happens.” and ultimately, the oceans. There ing manufacturer Mondelez Inter- are also food safety concerns Oreo and Chips Ahoy cookies are national to take action and phase with using recycled materials “increasingly packaged in flexi- out all nonrecyclable material. for packaging that comes into IT’S ALREADY ble film or other plastic packag- direct contact with food, the TAKING OTHER Come May 18, at the company’s ing, such as pouches, that are company said. MEASURES TO annual meeting in suburban not recyclable,” according to REDUCE WASTE Lincolnshire, Mondelez share- As You Sow’s proposal. It remains to be seen whether holders will vote on a proposal Mondelez studies recyclable Such packaging often ends up SO THAT LESS introduced by As You Sow, a packaging further. A proposal in waterways and is swept out PACKAGING California-based nonprofit that that gets more than 25 percent to sea, broken down into smaller challenges corporations on of shareholder support “needs to ENDS UP IN particles and ultimately con- social and environmental issues. be paid attention,” particularly if THE LANDFILL. sumed by bird or marine mam- The group has brought similar support has grown over multiple mals that mistake it for food, the proposals to Mondelez investors years, said Paul DeNicola, man- proposal said. for the last three years, receiving aging director at PwC's Gover- about 28 percent support As You Sow is requesting a report nance Insights Center last year. that would assess the environ- “Companies have to respond on mental impact and financial risks On the bright side, as the a case-by-case basis,” DeNicola of using nonrecyclable packaging activists see it, it received said. “There’s no one size and set a timeline for phasing about 28 percent support. fits all.” out such materials. That’s enough to give hope that DeNicola said the shareholder From the Mondelez perspective, their call to action is resonating proposals on environmental, the company already has “ambi- with some mainstream share- social and governance issues tious goals” in place on sustain- holders, and that the company have increased in recent years, ability, including reducing the may respond favorably to an- representing about 40 percent overall amount of packaging other vote with similar or better of all proposals over the past used, according to the company’s results. The company’s board of three years. response in a proxy statement. directors remains opposed, say- (Continued, see Sow, page 23) From 2010 to 2014, Mondelez ing Mondelez already has a sus- eliminated more than 44,000 tainability plan in place focused tons of packaging from the on reducing waste. supply chain, the company said.

22 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

AS YOU SOW TARGETS OREO PACKAGING [CONT’D]

As You Sow doesn't typically “Over the years, McDonald’s has The proposals are intended to buy shares of a given company engaged in constructive dialogue “forestall harm, create value for directly, instead partnering with with As You Sow on a variety of the company or hopefully both,” like-minded shareholders who topics, such as a multistakeholder said Danielle Fugere, president sign off on the group represent- project to address supply chain and chief counsel of As You Sow. ing their interests, MacKerron working conditions in Chinese And even shareholder proposals said. toy factories and general conver- that receive very little support sations with updates on McDon- can start a conversation within a In recent years, the organization ald’s packaging,” McDonald’s company. has floated similar packaging spokeswoman Lisa McComb said proposals to shareholders of Dr. “It’s an important process no in an email. Pepper Snapple Group, Kroger matter what the outcome is in a and Kraft Foods, among others. This brand of shareholder given year,” Fugere said. • Among the recyclable packaging activism can be a long game Reprinted from Chicago Tribune, successes touted by the group, played out over numerous years, March 30, 2016. As You Sow worked with McDon- as massive corporations weigh ald’s to phase out Styrofoam the benefits of social do-gooding cups in favor of recyclable cups. against the bottom line.

23 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: PAC NEXT RELEASES TOP 15 CHALLENGES FOR RECYCLING BY RACHEL MORIER, PAC NEXT

PAC is proud to announce the current industry initiatives and Order the report: release of the “Top 15 Packaging research on new sorting and PAC NEXT Members: Free. Challenges (+Recommendations) re-processing technologies. More Contact [email protected] for your For Recycling in a MRF” report. importantly, this report features promotional code. This 30-page report revisits and recommendations and best prac- Non-PAC NEXT Members: $49. expands from the original “Top tices to help communicate what Click here to purchase the report. 10 Packaging Challenges For is needed to overcome these Recycling in a MRF” released challenges while seizing oppor- in December of 2014 to include tunities to recover more packag- THE REPORT five new packaging formats. The ing materials. HIGHLIGHTS project continues to be a priority Keith Fanta, Section Head for today and for the foreseeable CURRENT Packaging Sustainability at future because stakeholders INDUSTRY Procter & Gamble and fellow PAC throughout the value chain con- INITIATIVES NEXT Co-Chair states, “While the tinue to be confused about what PAC NEXT team understands that AND RESEARCH. can and cannot be recycled. packaging needs to be designed Daniel Lantz, Chief Operating to meet a host of other important ABOUT PAC Officer at Green By Nature EPR requirements, we wanted to make PAC, Packaging Consortium is a and PAC NEXT Co-Chair states, sure everyone was aware of some not-for-profit corporation serving “With packaging changing con- of the current challenges when it as a vital partner and catalyst stantly, it can be difficult for comes to recycling. The end goal for the packaging value chain recycling facility operators to is to have the right information to for over 65 years. PAC advocates maintain, or preferably increase, help design the most sustainable for all materials and for package recyclables recovery rates. PAC packaging possible.” neutrality through an all-inclu- NEXT took the initiative to de- sive, transparent and collabora- Lantz adds, “The encouraging velop a guide to help program tive process. Over 2,200 North thing is that over the course of operators and packaging design- American members benefit developing the document, a ers understand the opportunities from the vast networking oppor- number of previous ‘issues’ are and limitations associated with tunities through PAC’s wide now finding solutions. PAC NEXT the Top 15 packaging challenges range of educational activities will continue to monitor technol- found in the marketplace today.” and events. From the PAC NEXT ogy developments to address the initiative with a vision of A World With over 30 contributors across issues and also work with pack- Without Packaging Waste to PAC the packaging value chain, the aging designers to try to ensure Food Waste, PAC helps industry report provides updated informa- that ultimately all packaging has on the path towards a circular tion on key developments over a next life.” economy. • the past year and also highlights Press release reprinted from www.pac.ca, April 4, 2016.

24 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: PETOSKEY PLASTICS INTRODUCES RECYCLING SCORECARD FOR BLOWN BY JASON KEISWETTER, PETOSKEY PLASTICS

Many businesses engaged in “Sustainability scorecards are In one scorecard example, a recycling do so based on a not new, but they are typically major retail chain saved close to philosophy of care for the envi- more focused on internal sus- 6 million pounds of CO2 entering ronment, for social responsibility tainability practices such as the atmosphere through its part- and for economics. However, it’s recycling or energy-saving meas- nership in Petoskey’s closed-loop been difficult to quantify the im- ures. This is the first robust, recycling program. The scorecard pact that their recycling practices proactive effort we have seen also includes information on what TOOL TRACKS are actually having on the planet. that is specifically targeted at that figure represents in real ENVIRONMENTAL Now, that has changed with the customers purchasing products terms. In this case, over 91,000 introduction of the Petoskey with recycled content. Moreover, gallons of water saved and the IMPACT OF Plastics Recycling Scorecard for the reporting highlights their equivalent of over 36.6 million RECYCLING IN customers that purchase prod- involvement in a closed loop miles not driven by vehicles with CLOSED LOOP ucts made with their recycled recycling program.” Petoskey is internal combustion engines— SYSTEM. blown plastic film. offering the program at no cost which in turn translates to over to its recycling partners in retail, 4,000 barrels of oil, or 195,000 Working with nationally recog- distribution, shipping, automo- gallons of gas not consumed. nized sustainability consultants, tive and other sectors. Petoskey has developed a sys- “This new scorecard gives our tem of calculating the impact its The scorecard is based on a Life customers and closed-loop part- closed-loop recycling partners Cycle Analysis (LCA) approach to ners the advantage of evaluating are having on the environment. measuring sustainable practices. the actual impact of their pur- The company is measuring and Typically, an LCA measures chasing and sustainability efforts, providing documentation, free of energy use, raw materials con- and communicating them in a charge, to their customers on sumption, air emissions, water way that investors, employees landfill diversion, carbon foot- effluents and solid wastes along and their own customers can print equivalents, emission off- the entire life cycle of a produc- easily understand,” added sets, and water savings. The data tion system—from the initial Keiswetter. “Making a commit- are based on the level of recycled extraction of natural resources ment to sustainable practices content supplied within film and to the final disposal of wastes. requires an investment, and this bags purchased from Petoskey. The Petoskey scorecard is unique provides a quantitative evalua- in that it calculates pounds of tion of the return on that invest- “The program is a first for the carbon emissions saved in pur- ment to the environment.” blown plastic film industry,” said chasing plastic film products (Continued, see Scorecard, page 26) Jason Keiswetter, Petoskey Plas- with post-consumer recycled tics Executive Director of Market- content (PCR). ing, Research & Development.

25 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

SCORECARD FOR BLOWN PLASTIC FILM [CONT’D]

As the plastics industry places containing PCR, Petoskey Plas- facturer providing superior Press release reprinted from greater importance on business tics has long been a leader in the products and solutions. Head - www.petoskeyplastics.com, and consumer recycling of plas- blown plastics film industry,” quartered in Petoskey, Michigan, April 18, 2016. tics products, everyone can ben- said Holmes. “This unique score- the company provides products efit from measuring results, card once again proves Petoskey’s and engineered solutions for a according to Kim Holmes, Direc- leadership and can serve as a variety of industries including tor of Recycling and Diversion at model for others in the industry.” automotive, industrial, institu- SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade tional, retail, construction and ABOUT PETOSKEY PLASTICS Association. “With its pioneering home improvement. Petoskey Petoskey Plastics is an environ- efforts in closed-loop recycling Plastics has facilities in Michigan, mentally focused recycler and and development of products Indiana and Tennessee. plastic film, bag and resin manu- •

26 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: CALIFORNIA “ALL IN” ON ORGANICS RECYCLING BY BIOCYCLE MAGAZINE

In a Q&A session, Scott Smith- organic material still makes up of solid waste by 2020, we esti- line, Director of CalRecycle, pro- more than a third of what Califor- mate up to 100,000 new jobs will vides insights on why organics nians throw away each year. We be created. recycling is critical to tackling are wasting valuable resources. BioCycle: One major piece of climate change, depleted soil, Organics recycling supports an legislation takes effect this year. drought and renewable energy entire suite of environmental Can you give us a quick explana- generation. goals and economic benefits tion of California’s Mandatory including California’s climate Scott Smithline, Director of Commercial Organics Recycling change goals. Methane emis- ORGANIC the California Department of law? sions from organic material Resources Recycling and Recov- MATERIAL STILL decomposing in landfills are Smithline: The Mandatory Com- ery (CalRecycle), is the opening short-lived climate pollutants mercial Organics Recycling law MAKES UP MORE Keynote Speaker at BioCycle’s with 25 times the global warming (AB 1826) is a tool to increase THAN A THIRD 30th Anniversary West Coast potential of carbon dioxide. To organics recycling in the state. OF WHAT Conference, April 4-7, 2016 in meet our climate change goals, The new law requires businesses San Diego. BioCycle editors CALIFORNIANS California must increase our such as restaurants and grocery posed a series of questions THROW AWAY organics recycling. State, local stores that generate a specified related to the state of organics governments and industry part- amount of organic waste per EACH YEAR. recycling in California to Director ners recognize the opportunities week to arrange for organics Smithline. His answers provide that organics recycling provides recycling services starting in a preview to his anticipated for achieving these goals and April 2016. Currently, we antici- Keynote remarks on Tuesday, realizing these benefits. pate that these recycling services April 5 in the Opening Plenary. will be comprised primarily of BioCycle: This willingness to act BioCycle: California has a long composting and in-vessel diges- has really spanned the political history of environmentally pro- tion (aerobic and anaerobic). spectrum in California. gressive policies, but the state For some California businesses, has recently emerged as national Smithline: California acknowl- food donation may be a benefi- leader when it comes to advanc- edges that climate change is cial way to reduce a portion of ing organics recycling. How did happening. Over the past 10 what currently is disposed but you get to this point? years, our state’s lawmakers and is still edible and to comply with governors have enacted policies Smithline: Organics recycling is the law. CalRecycle is working recognizing this reality. In addi- naturally evolving. The Integrated closely with local governments tion to environmental benefits, Waste Management Act of 1989 to address the complexities of California policymakers under- (AB 939) created the foundation ensuring that there’s adequate stand that achieving our climate for recycling infrastructure in food rescue and organics recy- goals results in economic growth California. California successfully cling infrastructure in place so and development. By meeting built this infrastructure and recy- all of this material has some- the state’s legislatively-man- cling programs with the partner- where to go. dated goal to source reduce, ship of the state, local govern- (Continued, see Organics, page 28) compost and recycle 75 percent ments and industry. However,

27 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WHY ORGANICS RECYCLING IS CRITICAL [CONT’D]

BioCycle: In a recent report to There are two keys to building Smithline: One source has been the benefits, including the eco- the Legislature, CalRecycle said this infrastructure. We need capi- Cap and Trade revenues. CalRe- nomic benefits, of compost and California’s current capacity for tal investments and this develop- cycle was able to offer $25 mil- mulch—such as water retention recovering organics is less than ment needs to be done in a way lion in grants and loans in Fiscal and improved soil health—are half of what will be needed to that maximizes the environmen- Year 2014-15 to build or expand not well quantified in terms of achieve its organics management tal and economic benefits to infrastructure projects that result market value. These measure- goals. What’s your strategy for Californians. in reduced greenhouse gas emis- able benefits are essentially adding more facilities? sions. Of the $25 million, $15 treated as externalities that don’t BioCycle: Can you elaborate? million helped fund five organics get built into the pricing. In turn, Smithline: We have to work Smithline: By infrastructure, I’m facilities—two composting and this artificially limits demand. alongside local governments, referring to the local government three anaerobic digestion facili- organics processing facility oper- BioCycle: What are some key programs that collect the mate- ties. We’ve been successful at ators and other stakeholders to challenges the 75 percent goal rial, the industries and haulers sparking interest in new projects, incentivize the expansion or cre- creates? that move it, the facilities that getting the money out, and get- ation of more organics recycling can process and manage it, ting the agreements in place. Smithline: As we move toward capacity. It’s important for us to and the markets and customers We’re excited to see how all of our 75 percent statewide recy- simultaneously focus on market who use and benefit from the these projects progress in the cling goal, we expect to see a development. Part of this is to processed material. Absent addi- coming year. The Governor’s decline in landfill disposal, which work collaboratively with other tional statutory mandates, each proposed 2016-17 budget in- means a drastic reduction in tip- state agencies that have partner- link in this chain requires a finan- cludes $100 million for new and ping fee revenue for both local ships with industries and busi- cial and economic incentive in expanded infrastructure, as well governments and the state. How- nesses that can benefit from order to be successful. as organics management pro- ever, as organics recycling infra- organics recycling products. grams such as food recovery. structure expands, oversight We’re working with the California Furthermore, while supporting While Cap and Trade funding responsibilities will increase. Department of Food and Agricul- economic development, this won’t build all of the infrastruc- This will limit CalRecycle’s ability ture, which is developing an materials management infra- ture, it is a critical component. to administer the programs that incentive program for California’s structure must be consistent have made California a world- agricultural industry to take with the state’s environmental BioCycle: Landfill tip fees are still wide leader in environmental advantage of the growing supply goals and environmental justice relatively cheap, compared to stewardship. of compost material. Not only principles. We are aware of the processing and remanufacturing does this compost help make potential negative impact facility of recyclable materials. What can The funding reduction will also our soils healthier by returning siting can have on disadvantaged you do to level the playing field make it harder for local jurisdic- organic matter to the ground, communities. The next genera- in California and make recycling tions to meet their statutory obli- compost and mulch help soils tion of organics recycling facili- a more financially viable option? gations. While increasing fees on retain more water. Reducing ties, regardless of their location, landfill disposal would help fill a Smithline: Right now in Califor- water usage and irrigation- must be the result of a more ro- short-term funding gap, Califor- nia, landfilling is often the cheap- related pumping is critical in Cali- bust community engagement nia can’t solely rely on landfill est option—and that does little fornia after four years of drought. process and meet the highest fees as our primary revenue to drive materials to higher and We’re also working with the Cali- environmental standards. source and must decouple fund- better end uses. While there are fornia Energy Commission on its These facilities must be good ing from disposal. We’ve begun many local variations, tipping transportation fuels grant pro- neighbors. (Continued, see Organics, page 29) fees in some areas in California gram, which has provided fund- BioCycle: What are your thoughts are so low that they essentially ing for digestion projects. on financial incentives and other incentivize disposal. In addition, funding opportunities that can assist California’s infrastructure need?

28 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WHY ORGANICS RECYCLING IS CRITICAL [CONT’D] looking at sustainable funding- What we’ve found, and helped CalRecycle recognizes the food source alternatives that have fund through our organics grant waste hierarchy, which includes worked in other states. These program, is that projects can waste prevention and food recov- options could include increased simultaneously target and gather ery as top priorities. As I alluded facility fees, producer fees, or edible food for at-risk popula- to earlier, the Governor’s pro- charges on waste generators. tions and focus on turning the posed 2016–17 budget includes WHILE CAP AND remaining inedible food into $10 million that would be dedi- BioCycle: Technologies related TRADE FUNDING compost or energy. CalRecycle cated to food waste prevention to composting and in-vessel WON’T BUILD included food recovery in our and food recovery efforts. Ulti- digestion (food to energy) have 2014–15 organics grant eligibility mately, we’d like to see a link ALL OF THE really transformed the organics criteria, to encourage more busi- between food recovery organiza- INFRASTRUCTURE, recycling conversation. But at nesses to consider this option. tions, local governments, organic the same time, there are those IT IS A CRITICAL That resulted in a $2.9 million recycling facilities, and haulers who believe recovering food for COMPONENT. grant award to a joint effort by because they all play a key role human consumption should be Fresno Metro Ministry and in reducing organic waste and the top priority. Can we effec- Colony Energy Partners to achieving the highest and best tively do both? expand a food donation network end-use for over five million tons Smithline: Food recovery for in Fresno County for recovered of food that Californians are human consumption should be edible food, with all remaining currently disposing annually. • the top priority and yes, we can food waste going to Colony’s new Reprinted from Biocycle Maga- effectively do both. anaerobic digestion facility to be zine, www.biocycle.net, March/ built in nearby Tulare County. April 2016.

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29 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MARINE DEBRIS: AMERICA’S PLASTICS MAKERS CONTRIBUTE TO SOLUTIONS ON MARINE LITTER BY AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL

Through the American Chemistry Education people participated in 2,000 Council (ACC), America’s plastics By raising awareness of the events and 45,000 pledged makersTM in 2011 helped lead the problem and highlighting steps to recycle more. development of the Declaration people take to address it, this americarecyclesday.org of the Global Plastics Associa- commitment can help change the • Supporting the Rozalia Project’s tions for Solutions on Marine Lit- behavior that leads to marine efforts to remove marine litter ter (Global Declaration), a global litter. from the sea floor using remotely commitment to combat ocean EFFECTIVE PUBLIC • Increasing participation in recy- operated vehicles and the Pro- pollution. Sixty-four plastics POLICIES CAN cling programs, which can help ject’s national educational out- associations in 34 countries have reduce litter, by sponsoring Keep reach. rozaliaproject.org HELP PREVENT signed the Declaration, and as of America Beautiful’s national TV, MARINE LITTER. the last progress report (2016) • Broadening use of on-package print, and online campaign. Since more than 260 marine litter proj- labeling that educates con- beginning in July 2013, the cam- ects are planned, underway, or sumers about recycling flexible paign has received a wide variety completed around the globe. plastic wraps at major grocery of donated advertising valued at and retail stores in partnership The Global Declaration obliges more than $115 million. with the Sustainable Packaging signatories to commit to action iwanttoberecycled.org Coalition. in six areas: education, research, • Educating people about the how2recycle.info/store-drop-off/ public policy, best practices, importance of recycling year- recycling/recovery, and pellet • Teaching kids the importance round by sponsoring Keep Amer- containment. Here is a snapshot of protecting watersheds by ica Beautiful’s annual America of just some of the actions com- helping fund a major exhibit at Recycles Day. In 2015, 2 million pleted or underway in the U.S. (Continued, see Makers, page 31) A GLOBAL COMMITMENT BY MARINE LITTER SOLUTIONS

In March 2011, leaders from action and advocates close plastics associations around cooperation with a broad the world developed and range of stakeholders to signed The Declaration of the achieve substantial progress Global Plastics Associations in reducing damage to the for Solutions on Marine Litter. marine environment. As of May 2016 a total of 65 Our Progress Report provides plastic associations in 34 an update on projects carried countries have voluntarily out under The Declaration. signed the Declaration. The Please click here for the 2016 Declaration outlines a set of click on the cover image above Progress Report Executive clear objectives for industry to download the full report. Summary for highlights. And •

30 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

PLASTICS MAKERS CONTRIBUTE TO SOLUTIONS [CONT’D]

the Aquarium of the Pacific in Public Policy • Highlighting best available • Dramatically increasing con- Long Beach, CA. Government programs and effec- technologies and best environ- sumer and commercial collection aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/o tive policies—and the way they mental technologies for waste of plastic film packaging for recy- ur_watersheds are or are not enforced—can management to prevent marine cling through the Wrap Recycling help prevent marine litter. litter by developing a guidance Action Program (WRAP) and by Research manual in partnership with the partnering with The Sustainable Studies are needed to determine • Actively supported state and United Nations Environment Packaging Coalition and state the impacts of plastic marine federal legislation (passed into Program (UNEP). and local governments. Recycling litter, how and why marine litter law in 2015) that phases out tiny of plastic film reached nearly 1.2 enters the ocean, and how to plastic “microbeads” used in per- • Hosted a workshop for public billion pounds in 2014, quadru- prevent it. sonal care exfoliating products, officials in the Philippines on ple the amount in 2005 when which can make their way into how well designed recycling and • Supported multinational measuring began. waterways. processing systems can create research on the occurrence plasticfilmrecycling.org/wrap value from plastics and other and impact of microplastics in • Supported reauthorization of municipal solid waste. The event Pellet Containment the marine environment. the federal Marine Debris Act was included as part of efforts at If spilled or released into the gesamp.org/work- that requires NOAA to “identify, the Asia Pacific Economic Coop- environment, plastic pellets can programme/workgroups/work- determine sources of, assess, eration (APEC) forum to promote be difficult to recapture so reduc- ing-group-40 prevent, reduce, and remove ma- “sustainable materials manage- ing plastics loss is critical. rine debris and address the ad- • Partnered with Ocean Conser- ment” as a solution to marine verse impacts of marine debris • Actively promoting a set of vancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance® litter. on the economy of the United practices designed to prevent on research into major sources of States, marine environment, and Recycling/Recovery plastic pellets, flakes, and pow- marine litter and how to address navigation safety.” Capturing plastics for recycling ders from reaching the environ- them, resulting in the report: marinedebris.noaa.gov/about- and conversion into fuels keeps ment due to spills or other losses Stemming the Tide: Land-based our-program/marine-debris-act plastics out of the waste and lit- during manufacture, distribution, Strategies for a Plastic-free ter streams, as well as reduces and use (Operation Clean Sweep, Ocean. oceanconservancy.org Best Practices energy use and lowers green- now an international model). While individual projects may • Partnered with the National house gas emissions. opcleansweep.org vary from place to place, sharing • Oceanic & Atmospheric Adminis- successes—and the knowledge • Helping improve community Press release reprinted from tration (NOAA) on research (2006 that comes with them—helps recycling programs through edu- American Chemistry Council. - 2007) to help researchers and industry, government, and others cation and use of larger carts by policymakers better understand understand what works. partnering with The Recycling microplastic marine debris. Partnership, a national nonprofit pmel.noaa.gov • Increasing plastics recycling by that reaches 1.4 million house- forming public-private partner- • Partnered with Honolulu, HI, holds in 71 communities. ships to provide more than 700 communities on a comprehen- recyclingpartnership.org away-from-home recycling bins sive study of the city’s litter and and educational signage at • Tracking access to plastics solid waste/storm water man- popular parks and beaches recycling programs and the agement to identify strategies for in California. amount of plastics recycled in preventing litter from reaching 2valuable2waste.com the United States, both of which the ocean. have increased every year since tracking began. plastics.americanchemistry.com

31 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MARINE DEBRIS: GLOBAL PLASTICS INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES TO PREVENT AND COMBAT MARINE LITTER UP MORE THAN 165-PERCENT BY GLOBAL PLASTICS INDUSTRY

Leaders from plastics organiza- launched and are supporting organizations, researchers, and tions across the globe announced projects in six key areas aimed other stakeholders. It is critical that there were approximately at contributing to sustainable that we have these partnerships 260 projects planned, underway solutions. The six focus areas of and continue to bring additional or completed as part of the the Global Declaration are educa- stakeholders to the table to TODAY, 65 Declaration of the Global Plastics tion, research, public policy, shar- tackle this very serious issue.” Associations for Solutions on ing best practices, plastics “Whilst the majority of con- ASSOCIATIONS Marine Litter (Global Declara- recycling/recovery, and plastic sumers act responsibly, a minor- IN 34 COUNTRIES tion), a public commitment by pellet containment. ity who do not use or dispose of the global plastics industry to HAVE SIGNED ON [Click here to read highlight of their plastic products appropri- tackle plastic in the marine envi- TO THE GLOBAL the report in the 2016 Progress ately, causing negative impacts ronment. The announcement DECLARATION. Report Executive Summary] such as litter,” said Dr Abdulwa- came with the release of the hab Al-Sadoun, Secretary-Gen- plastics industry’s annual “We’re very pleased with the con- eral, Gulf Petrochemicals and progress report, which docu- tinued growth in the work we’re Chemicals Association (GPCA). ments the various efforts under- doing on marine litter,” said “That’s why raising awareness way around the world. Steve Russell, vice president of about proper waste management plastics for the American Chem- “As a united, global industry, and recycling is so important istry Council. “Since our last we’ve come a long way from to us.” report, we’ve increased the where we started in 2011,” number of industry associations Since initiating the Global Decla- said Callum Chen from the Asia participating as part of the Global ration, signatories have identi- Plastics Forum. “Today we have Declaration and demonstrated fied numerous specific actions active marine litter prevention that, united, we can help make designed to fulfill these commit- programs occurring in all regions a difference.” ments across six focus areas and of the globe and we are continu- have agreed to track and report ally pursuing opportunities to “Marine litter is a complex progress. In 2013 the Global grow our work.” environmental challenge that Declaration also became part of requires joint efforts at the local, The Global Declaration was the United Nations Environment regional and global level,” said launched in March 2011 at the Programme’s Global Partnership Karl-H. Foerster, Executive Direc- 5th International Marine Debris on Marine Litter. tor of PlasticsEurope. “We look Conference by 47 plastics associ- forward to continue developing Today, 65 associations in 34 ations from regions across the and executing programs that ad- countries have signed on to the globe. Recognizing their impor- dress marine litter, and work with Global Declaration, and the 260 tant role in fighting marine litter, governments, non-governmental (Continued, see Combat, page 33) these plastics associations have

32 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

PREVENT AND COMBAT MARINE LITTER [CONT’D] projects underway, planned or quality of life to citizens and ABOUT THE AMERICAN ABOUT THE GULF PETRO- completed (as of December facilitating resource efficiency CHEMISTRY COUNCIL’S CHEMICALS AND CHEMICALS 2015), represent a nearly 165 and climate protection. More PLASTICS DIVISION ASSOCIATION percent increase in the number than 1.45 million people are The American Chemistry Coun- The Gulf Petrochemicals and of projects since the Global working in 62,000 companies cil’s Plastics Division represents Chemicals Association (GPCA) Declaration’s announcement. (mainly small and medium sized leading companies dedicated to represents the downstream hy- companies in the converting sec- ABOUT PLASTICSEUROPE providing innovative solutions drocarbon industry in the Ara- tor) to create a turnover above PlasticsEurope is one of the lead- to the challenges of today and bian Gulf. Established in 2006, 350 bn EUR per year. The plastics ing European trade associations tomorrow through plastics. the association voices the com- industry includes polymer pro- with centres in Brussels, Frank- Ongoing innovations from mon interests of more than 250 ducers—represented by Plastic- furt, London, Madrid, Milan and America’s Plastics Makers™ member companies from the sEurope, converters—repre - Paris. We are networking with have led to medical advances chemical and allied industries, sented by EuPC, and machine European and national plastics and safety equipment that make accounting for over 95% of manufacturers—represented by associations and have more than our lives better, healthier and chemical output in the Arabian EUROMAP. 100 member companies, produc- safer every day. And advances in Gulf region. The industry makes ing over 90% of all polymers plastics are helping Americans up the second largest manufac- across the EU28 member states save energy, reduce greenhouse turing sector in the region, pro- plus Norway, Switzerland and gas emissions and decrease ducing up to US$108 billion Turkey. The European plastics waste. Because plastics are such worth of products a year. • a valuable resource, the Plastics industry makes a significant con- Reprinted from a news release by Division is leading efforts to tribution to the welfare in Europe Plastics Europe, American Chem- “reduce, reuse, recycle and by enabling innovation, creating istry Council, Gulf Petrochemicals recover,” including through out- and Chemicals Association, May reach, education and access to 20, 2016. advances in recycling technology.

33 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MARINE DEBRIS: COULD A NEW PLASTIC-EATING BACTERIA HELP COMBAT THIS POLLUTION SCOURGE?? BY KARL MATHIESEN, THE GUARDIAN

Nature has begun to fight back The molecules that form PET are ment before they could be useful against the vast piles of filth bonded very strongly, said Prof for industrial recycling or pollu- dumped into its soils, rivers and Uwe Bornscheuer in an accompa- tion clean-up. oceans by evolving a plastic- nying comment piece in Science. “It’s difficult to break down eating bacteria—the first known “Until recently, no organisms highly crystallised PET,” said to science. were known to be able to decom- Prof Kenji Miyamoto from Keio pose it.” In a report published in the jour- University, one of the authors of ONLY ABOUT nal Science, a team of Japanese In a Gaian twist, initial genetic the study. “Our research results HALF OF THE researchers described a species examination revealed the bacte- are just the initiation for the PET PRODUCED of bacteria that can break the ria, named Ideonella sakaien- application. We have to work on IS COLLECTED molecular bonds of one of the sis 201-F6, may have evolved so many issues needed for vari- world’s most-used plastics— enzymes specifically capable of ous applications. It takes a long FOR RECYCLING polyethylene terephthalate, also breaking down PET in response time,” he said. known as PET or . to the accumulation of the plastic A third of all plastics end up in in the environment in the past The Japanese research team the environment and 8m tonnes 70 years. sifted through hundreds of sam- end up in the ocean every year, ples of PET pollution before find- Such rapid evolution was possi- creating vast accumulations of ing a colony of organisms using ble, said Enzo Palombo, a profes- life-choking rubbish. the plastic as a food source. sor of microbiology at Swinburne PET makes up almost one-sixth University, given that microbes Further tests found the bacteria of the world’s annual plastic have an extraordinary ability to almost completely degraded low- production of 311m tons. Despite adapt to their surroundings. “If quality plastic within six weeks. PET being one of the more you put a bacteria in a situation This was voracious when com- commonly recycled plastics, the where they’ve only got one food pared to other biological agents, World Economic Forum (WEF) source to consume, over time including a related bacteria, leaf reports that only just over half they will adapt to do that,” compost and a fungus enzyme is ever collected for recycling he said. recently found to have an and far less actually ends up appetite for PET. “I think we are seeing how nature being reused. can surprise us and in the end “This is the first rigorous study— Advances in biodegradable plas- the resiliency of nature itself,” it appears to be very carefully tics and recycling offer hope for added Mincer. done—that I have seen that the future, said Bornscheuer, shows plastic being hydrolyzed The bacteria took longer to eat “but [this] does not help to get [broken down] by bacteria,” said away highly crystallised PET, rid of the plastics already in the Dr Tracy Mincer, a researcher which is used in plastic bottles. environment.” at Woods Hole Oceanographic That means the enzymes and (Continued, see Bacteria, page 35) Institution. processes would need refine-

34 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

PLASTIC-EATING BACTERIA [CONT’D]

However the potential applica- “I would not be surprised if sam- Beyond dealing with the plastic But the plastics industry said the tions of the discovery remain un- ples of ocean plastics contained already fouling up the environ- potential for a new biological clear. The most obvious use microbes that are happily grow- ment, the bacteria could poten- process to replace or augment would be as a biological agent in ing on this material and could be tially be used in industrial the current mechanical recycling nature, said Palombo. Bacteria isolated in the same manner,” recycling processes. process was very small. could be sprayed on the huge he said. “Certainly, the use of these mi- “PET is 100% recyclable,” said floating trash heaps building up But Mincer said breaking down crobes or enzymes could play a Mike Neal, the chairman of the in the oceans. This method is ocean rubbish came with dan- role in remediation of plastic in a Committee of PET Manufacturers most notably employed to com- gers of its own.Plastics often controlled reactor,” said Mincer. in Europe. “I expect that a biode - bat oil spills. contain additives that can be gradation system would require Miyamoto’s team suggested that This particular bacteria would toxic when released. WEF esti- a similar engineering process to the environmentally-benign con- not be useful for this process as mates that the 150m tonnes of chemical depolymerisation and stituents left behind by the bac- it only consumes PET, which is plastic currently in the ocean as such is unlikely to be econom- teria could be the same ones too dense to float on water. But contain roughly 23m tonnes of ically viable,” he said. from which the plastic is formed. • Bornscheuer said the discovery additives. If this were true and a process Reprinted from The Guardian, could open the door to the dis- “Plastic debris may have been could be developed to isolate March 10, 2016. covery or manufacture of biologi- less toxic in the whole unhy- them, Bornscheuer said: “This cal agents able to break down drolyzed form where it would ul- could provide huge savings in other plastics. timately have been buried in the the production of new polymer Palombo said the discovery sug- sediments on a geological without the need for petrol- gested that other bacteria may timescale,” said Mincer. based starting materials.” have already evolved to do this According to the WEF, 6% of job and simply needed to be global oil production is devoted found. to the production of plastics.

35 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

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36 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: COULD TWO SIMPLE FOOD LABELS SQUASH CALIFORNIA’S FOOD WASTE PROBLEM? BY VALENTINA SILVA, MAGAZINE

The war effort against food waste The proposed Food Waste Reduc- The release points to a study by is ramping up. Back in February, tion and Date Labeling Act, AB the Harvard Food Law and Policy France became the first country 2725, is betting that clearer, Center and NRDC, that found that in the world to outlaw unsold regulated labeling will help con- 40 percent of the food produced food being tossed out by super- sumers make better informed in the U.S. never gets eaten and markets, requiring companies to choices. According to SF Gate, that nine out of 10 Americans donate items to food banks and the California Department of have discarded unspoiled food ASSEMBLYMAN charities or face fines. Italy is fol- Health will decide which foods based on dated labels. They say DAVID CHIU HAS lowing suit: In hopes of cutting will get the “Expires on” label. the cost to the average family is into the estimated 550 tons of over a thousand dollars annually, Currently, it’s up to food manu- INTRODUCED A food the country wastes annu- and the environmental costs of facturers to decide the dates on BILL AIMED AT ally, legislators have proposed a the water and energy wasted to packaging. As a result, food law that will grant tax cuts to produce the food are also cited. REDUCING FOOD labels run the gamut, featuring grocery stores that donate their WASTE. vague phrases, like “Best flavor During a recent interview with excess stocks. by” or “Enjoy by,” leading some KPCC’s Air Talk, Dana Gunders, a Here in California, where state consumers to believe that food scientist from NRDC, said that studies have found that more is no longer edible after the pro- there could be some opposition than 6 million tons of food end posed date even when that’s not from grocery stores, who might up in landfills every year, there’s the case. Add to that the com- find following divergent state a new effort to stem the waste mon “Sell by” date label, which guidelines and federal guidelines through food labeling. is really just a cut-off date for a hassle. Arguing that congres- grocery stores and not an indica- sional gridlock would make pass- Just last month, Assemblyman tion of whether the food is safe ing a nationwide law difficult, David Chiu of San Francisco, in to eat, and you’ve got a recipe Gunders said, “California has an conjunction with Californians for confusion. ability to set a model for the rest Against Waste and the Natural of the nation.” Resources Defense Council, “In a state where 6 million fami- • introduced a bill that, according lies are food insecure, a startling Reprinted from Los Angeles to an issued press release, is amount of food is being wasted Magazine, April 8, 2016. “aimed at reducing food waste every single day because of and consumer confusion” by these arbitrary date labels,” said adopting two standard dated Assemblyman Chiu in the release. labels: “Best if used by” and “We as consumers want to know “Expires on.” The first will tell what our labels mean and consumers the date that the whether or not our food is safe to food’s quality will begin to eat. This bill will clean up these decline, and the second will confusing dates and reduce indicate when eating the food unnecessary food waste.” could pose a health threat.

37 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: ARAMBULA PUSHES ASSEMBLY DEMS TOWARD SUPERMAJORITY BY JEREMY B. WHITE, SACRAMENTO BEE

Today, Assembly Democrats back to the 54–seat, two-thirds Ridley-Thomas (son of Mark) get back to 51. supermajority threshold that and Autumn Burke (daughter of essentially allows them to govern Yvonne Brathwaite Burke). Add The heavily contested race to without any Republican votes. in the Senate and you get to fill the Fresno seat vacated by Overseeing the battle plan will be eight with Anthony Cannella former Assembly member Henry new Assembly Speaker Anthony (son of Sal) and Tom Berryhill Perea ended last week in an out- Rendon, D-Paramount, who has (son of Clare). right win for Democrat Joaquin • already named his top target for Arambula , thwarting Republican Reprinted from www.sacbee.com, a Democratic reacquisition. A TWO-THIRDS efforts to add to their recent col- April 13, 2016. SUPERMAJORITY umn of Democratic seat pickups. A side note about Arambula: he’s Arambula, a doctor by trade, gets the son of former Assemblyman ALLOWS DEMS sworn in this morning when ses- Juan Arambula, so when he takes TO GOVERN sion starts at 9 a.m. his seat on the Assembly floor he will be one of six serving children WITHOUT ANY Because this was a special of former state legislators, along REPUBLICAN election, we get to do it all again with Assembly members Ian VOTES. soon. Holding Arambula’s seat Calderon (son of Chuck), Chris will be part of Assembly Democ- Holden (son of Nate), Kevin rats’ strategy for picking up the Mullin (son of Gene), Sebastian additional seats needed to get

38 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA BILL WATCH LIST

AB 888 (Bloom D) Waste management: plastic microbeads. Current Text: Chaptered: 10/8/2015 | Introduced: 2/26/2015 | Last Amended: 9/3/2015 Status: 10/8/2015-Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 594, Statutes of 2015. Location: 10/8/2015-A. CHAPTERED Summary: Would prohibit, on and after January 1, 2020, a person, as defined, from selling or offering for promotional purposes in this state a personal care product containing plastic microbeads that are used to exfoliate or cleanse in a rinse-off product, as specified. The bill would exempt from those prohibitions the sale or promotional offer of a product containing less than 1 part per million (ppm) by weight of plastic microbeads. This bill contains other related provisions.

AB 1005 (Gordon D) California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act: market development payments. Current Text: Amended: 1/4/2016 | Introduced: 2/26/2015 | Last Amended: 1/4/2016 Status: 2/4/2016-Referred to Com. on E.Q. Location: 2/4/2016-S. E.Q. Summary: Current law authorizes the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, until that authorization is repealed on January 1, 2017, to annually expend up to $10,000,000 from the fund to make market development payments to an entity certified by the department as a recycling center, processor, or dropoff or collection program for empty plastic beverage containers that are subsequently washed and processed into flake, pellet, or other form, and made usable for the manufacture of a plastic product, or to a product manufacturer for empty plastic beverage containers that are subsequently washed and processed into flake, pellet, or other form, and used by that product manufac- turer to manufacture a product. This bill would postpone that repeal until January 1, 2022.

AB 1063 (Williams D) Solid waste: charges. Current Text: Amended: 8/17/2015 | Introduced: 2/26/2015 | Last Amended: 8/17/2015 Status: 8/19/2015-In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. Location: 8/17/2015-S. E.Q. Summary: Would raise the fee imposed on an operator of a disposal facility to $4 per ton commencing January 1, 2017. The bill would require a minimum of $1.50 per ton of the fee collected from each operator, until January 1, 2022, and would authorize some or all of the fee collected thereafter, to be allocated to activities that promote recycling and the highest and best use of materials, as specified. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.

AB 1683 (Eggman D) Alternative energy financing. Current Text: Amended: 5/16/2016 | Introduced: 1/20/2016 | Last Amended: 5/16/2016 Status: 5/27/2016-Failed Deadline pursuant to Joint Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/25/2016) Location: 5/27/2016-A. DEAD Summary: The California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority Act authorizes, until January 1, 2021, the Cali- fornia Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority to provide financial assistance in the form of a sales and use tax exclusion for projects, including those that promote California-based manufacturing, California-based jobs, advanced manufacturing, the re- duction of greenhouse gases, or the reduction in air and water pollution or energy consumption. The act prohibits the sales and use tax ex- clusions for these projects from exceeding $100,000,000 for each calendar year. This bill would specify that if less than $100,000,000 is granted in a calendar year, the unallocated amount may roll over to the following calendar year. (Continued, see Watch List, page 40)

39 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA BILL WATCH LIST [CONT’D]

AB 1826 (Stone, Mark D) Organic products. Current Text: Amended: 4/26/2016 | Introduced: 2/8/2016 | Last Amended: 4/26/2016 Status: 6/1/2016-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. Location: 6/1/2016-S. RLS. Summary: Would revise and recast the California Organic Products Act of 2003 as the California Organic Food and Farming Act and would set forth the purposes of the act. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.

AB 2396 (McCarty D) Solid waste: annual reports. Current Text: Amended: 4/13/2016 | Introduced: 2/18/2016 | Last Amended: 4/13/2016 Status: 5/12/2016-Referred to Com. on E.Q. Location: 5/12/2016-S. E.Q. Summary: The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, which is administered by the Department of Resources Recycling and Re- covery, establishes an integrated waste management program. Current law requires each state agency to submit an annual report to the de- partment summarizing its progress in reducing solid waste that is due on or before May 1 of each year. This bill would require each state agency to include in that annual report a summary of the state agency's compliance with specified requirements relating to recycling commer- cial solid waste and organic waste.

AB 2409 (Wagner R) Water quality standards: trash: single-use carryout bags. Current Text: Introduced: 2/19/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 Status: 4/22/2016-Failed Deadline pursuant to Joint Rule 61(b)(5). (Last location was A. E.S. & T.M. on 4/12/2016) Location: 4/22/2016-A. DEAD Summary: Would suspend the operation of certain amendments to water quality control plans relating to the total maximum daily load for trash unless the provisions inoperative due to a pending referendum election become effective. This bill would require the state board to re- visit and revise water quality control plans to address impaired water quality due to trash if the law pending referendum is defeated at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election. This bill contains other existing laws.

AB 2530 (Gordon D) Recycling: beverage containers. Current Text: Amended: 6/1/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 | Last Amended: 6/1/2016 Status: 6/2/2016-Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. Location: 6/2/2016-S. SENATE Summary: Would, beginning March 1, 2018, would require a manufacturer of a beverage sold in a plastic beverage container to report to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery the average percentage of postconsumer recycled content in beverage containers sold in the state by the manufacturer in the previous year and would require a manufacturer to use one or more of several specified methods of de- termining the average percentage of postconsumer recycled content for making a claim about the postconsumer recycled content. This bill contains other related provisions.

AB 2576 (Gray D) Recycling: glass container manufacturers: market development payments. Current Text: Amended: 4/11/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 } Last Amended: 4/11/2016 Status: 5/27/2016-Failed Deadline pursuant to Joint Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/11/2016) Location: 5/27/2016-A. DEAD Summary: Would provide that up to $20,000,000 shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, from the Greenhouse Gas Reduc- tion Fund to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for market development payments to glass container manufacturers in an amount of $50 per ton of state-generated cullet, as defined, utilized for manufacturing in the state to achieve greenhouse gas emissions re- ductions not otherwise required by statute or regulation. (Continued, see Watch List, page 41)

40 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA BILL WATCH LIST [CONT’D]

AB 2579 (Low D) Food ser vice packaging products: study. Current Text: Amended: 4/13/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 | Last Amended: 4/13/2016 Status: 6/1/2016-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. Location: 6/1/2016-S. RLS. Summary: The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, administered by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, regulates the disposal, management, and recycling of solid waste. This bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2018, to complete a study to establish baseline data relating to food service packaging that contains specified information, including the current and potential markets for recycled and composted food service packaging products.

AB 2748 (Gatto D) Environmental disaster: release of claims: statute of limitations: attorneys' fees. Current Text: Amended: 6/2/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 | Last Amended: 6/2/2016 Status: 6/2/2016-Re-referred to Com. on JUD. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 3.) (June 2). Read second time and amended. Assembly Rule 63 suspended. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. Location: 6/2/2016-S. SENATE Summary: Current law provides that an obligation is extinguished by a release given to the debtor by the creditor, upon a new consideration, or in writing, with or without new consideration. A general release does not extend to claims the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor. Under this bill, a partial or interim payment or reimbursement, made in connection with an environmental disaster by the responsible polluter or any agent or entity related to the responsible polluter to any recipient, would not release the polluter from liability to the recipient for any claim related to the environmental disaster or for any future claim by the recipient against the polluter, or for both current and future claims.

AB 2812 (Gordon D) Solid waste: recycling: state agencies and large state facilities. Current Text: Amended: 5/27/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 | Last Amended: 5/27/2016 Status: 6/2/2016-In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. Location: 6/2/2016-S. RLS. Summary: Would require the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, on or before July 1, 2017, to develop guidelines for collecting and recycling recyclable materials in office buildings of state agencies and large state facilities, except buildings and facilities of community college districts or their campuses. The bill would require that a covered state agency and large state facility, on and after July 1, 2018, provide adequate receptacles, signage, education, and staffing, and arrange for recycling services consistent with specified law, for each office build- ing of the state agency or large state facility.

SB 970 (Leyva D) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: grant program: recyclable materials. Current Text: Amended: 5/10/2016 | Introduced: 2/8/2016 | Last Amended: 5/10/2016 Status: 6/1/2016-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. Location: 6/1/2016-A. DESK Summary: Current law requires certain moneys appropriated by the Legislature from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to be used by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for a grant program to provide financial assistance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting in-state development of infrastructure to process organic and other recyclable materials into new, value-added products. This bill would require the department, in awarding a grant for organics composting or anaerobic digestion under the program, to consider, among other things, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reductions that may result from the project and the amount of organic material that may be diverted from landfills as a result of the project. (Continued, see Watch List, page 42)

41 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA BILL WATCH LIST [CONT’D]

SB 1043 (Allen D) Biogas and biomethane. Current Text: Amended: 4/25/2016 | Introduced: 2/12/2016 | Last Amended: 4/25/2016 Status: 5/27/2016-Failed Deadline pursuant to Joint Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/23/2016) Location: 5/27/2016-S. DEAD Summary: Would require the State Air Resources Board to consider and, as appropriate, adopt policies to significantly increase the sustain- able production and use of biogas, as defined, and, in so doing, would require the state board, among other things, to ensure the production and use of biogas provides direct environmental benefits and identify barriers to the rapid development and use of biogas and potential sources of funding. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.

SB 1161 (Allen D) Statutes of limitation: California Climate Science Truth and Accountability Act of 2016. Current Text: Amended: 5/10/2016 | Introduced: 2/18/2016 | Last Amended: 5/10/2016 Status: 6/2/2016-Ordered to inactive file on request of Senator Monning. Location: 6/2/2016-S. INACTIVE FILE Summary: Current law requires an action alleging unfair competition, as defined, to be commenced within 4 years after the cause of action accrued. This bill would, for actions brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney, revive an action for unfair competition with respect to scientific evidence regarding the existence, extent, or current or future impacts of anthropogenic-induced climate change that is time barred as of January 1, 2017, and would authorize the action to be brought within 4 years of that date.

SB 1167 (Leyva D) Employment safety: indoor workers: heat regulations. Current Text: Amended: 5/31/2016 | Introduced: 2/18/2016 | Last Amended: 5/31/2016 Status: 6/2/2016-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. Location: 6/2/2016-A. DESK Summary: Would require the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, by July 1, 2018, to propose to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for its adoption, a heat illness and injury prevention standard applicable to indoor workers. The bill would specify that this requirement does not prohibit the division from proposing, or the standards board from adopting, a standard that limits the application of high heat provisions to certain industry sectors. Because this bill would expand the definition of an existing crime, it would impose a state- mandated local program.

SB 1294 (Pavley D) The Community Climate and Drought Resilience Program of 2016. Current Text: Amended: 4/27/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 | Last Amended: 4/27/2016 Status: 5/27/2016-Failed Deadline pursuant to Joint Rule 61(b)(8). (Last location was APPR. SUSPENSE FILE on 5/9/2016) Location: 5/27/2016-S. DEAD Summary: Would enact the Community Climate and Drought Resilience Program of 2016 and would require CalFire to review the urban forestry program and, if necessary, revise the program to provide funding priority to multibenefit carbon sequestration projects and to estab- lish local or regional targets for urban tree canopy. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.

SB 1387 (De León D) Nonvehicular air pollution: market-based incentive programs: South Coast Air Quality Management District board. Current Text: Amended: 4/7/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 | Last Amended: 4/7/2016 Status: 6/1/2016-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. Location: 6/1/2016-A. DESK Summary: Would require a district board to submit to the State Air Resources Board for review and approval the district's plan for attainment or a revision to that plan, as specified. The bill also would require a district board to submit to the state board for review and approval the dis- trict's market-based incentive program and any revisions to that program, as specified. The bill would prescribe specified actions for the state board to take if the state board determines that a plan for attainment, a revision of a plan for attainment, a market-based incentive program, or a revision to a market-based incentive program do not comply with law. (Continued, see Watch List, page 43)

42 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA BILL WATCH LIST [CONT’D]

SB 1459 (Morrell R) Beverage container recycling: enforcement. Current Text: Introduced: 2/19/2016 | Introduced: 2/19/2016 Status: 5/6/2016-Failed Deadline pursuant to Joint Rule 61(b)(6). (Last location was RLS. on 3/10/2016) Location: 5/6/2016-S. DEAD Summary: Current law prohibits any person from paying, claiming, or receiving any refund value, processing payment, handling fee, or admin- istrative fee for imported beverage container material, previously redeemed containers, rejected containers, line breakage, or other ineligible material. Current law also prohibits any person, with intent to defraud, from redeeming or attempting to redeem those containers or materi- als, returning previously redeemed containers to the marketplace for redemption, or bringing those containers or materials to the market- place for redemption, as specified. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.

43 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: TWO JOB KILLER BILLS HELD IN APPROPRIATIONS; EIGHT MOVE FOR ACTION BY CAJOBKILLERS.COM

Fifteen of the 21 job killer bills or restaurant workplace, includ- to confusion and litigation, by identified by the California Cham- ing employers who have hybrid prohibiting an employer from ber of Commerce this year remain operations that include a retail or requiring an individual who is a alive after Friday’s deadline for restaurant section, to provide a member of the military to sign a fiscal committees to send bills 21-day work schedule and then mandatory arbitration agreement to the floor. face penalties and litigation if the as a condition of employment. employer changes the schedule Assembly Floor. One bill was held in the Assem- with less than 7 days notice, THE NEXT bly Appropriations Committee Affordable Housing Barriers even when the change is at the SIGNIFICANT on May 27: AB 2502 (Mullin; D-South San request of the employee. Senate Francisco/Chiu; D-San Francisco) DEADLINE FOR AB 1882 (Williams; D-Santa Appropriations Committee, Erodes Housing Affordability — THE JOB KILLER Barbara) Gas Price Increase — 05/27/16; Failed Deadline. Increases the cost and reduces Jeopardizes the production of BILLS IS JUNE 3. Following are job killer bills that the supply of housing by author- California-based fuel by substan- are awaiting action this week by izing local governments as condi- tially complicating the existing the full Senate or Assembly: tion of development to impose a permitting process for the Under- costly and inflexible price-con- ground Injection Control program Arbitration Discrimination trolled inclusionary housing by imposing duplicative require- AB 2667 (Thurmond; D-Rich- requirement and, in doing so, ments and requiring the Division mond) Arbitration Agreements legislatively repeals an estab- of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Discrimination — Unfairly dis- lished court decision upholding Resources to cede aspects of criminates against arbitration developers’ ability to set initial its permitting authority to the agreements and therefore is rental rates for new dwelling regional water quality control likely preempted by the Federal units. Assembly Floor. board. Assembly Appropriations Arbitration Act, which will lead to Committee, 05/27/16; Failed confusion and litigation, by pro- SB 1150 (Leno; D-San Francisco) Deadline. hibiting arbitration of Unruh Civil Erodes Housing Availability — Rights violations made as a con- Increases liability risk and the One bill was held on the Senate dition of a contract for goods or cost of residential loans by allow- Appropriations Committee sus- services. Assembly Floor. ing a party not on the mortgage pense file on May 27: loan to interfere with appropriate AB 2879 (M. Stone; D-Scotts SB 878 (Leyva; D-Chino) Man- foreclosures and creates a pri- Valley) Employment Arbitration dated Scheduling Requirement vate right of action for violations Agreements Discrimination — — Eliminates worker flexibility of overly complex and burden- Unfairly discriminates against and exposes employers to costly some requirements. Senate arbitration agreements and is penalties, litigation, and govern- Floor. likely preempted by the Federal ment enforcement, by mandating (Continued, see Killer, page 45) Arbitration Act, which will lead employers in the retail, grocery,

44 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

JOB KILLER BILLS REMAIN ALIVE [CONT’D]

SB 1318 (Wolk; D-Davis) Erodes costs of small employers with as increases costs to the industry by Housing Affordability — Inappro- few as 10 employees, as well as revising the definition of an idle priately leverages necessary large employers with 50 or more well and requiring permanent affordable housing in order to employees, by requiring 12 closure of 25% of California’s solve infrastructure issues with weeks of protected employee long-term idle wells each year. the consequence that the hous- leave for maternity or paternity Assembly Floor. ing won’t be built by imposing leave, and exposes all employers The next significant deadline for requirements on water or waste to the threat of costly litigation. the job killer bills is June 3, the water districts to serve certain Senate Floor. date by which bills must pass communities first. Senate Floor. California Oil Production Barriers the house in which they were Increased Labor Costs AB 2729 (Williams; D-Santa introduced. • SB 1166 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara/ Thurmond; D-Rich- Reprinted from www.ca- Barbara) Imposes New Maternity mond) Gas Price Increase — jobkillers.com, May 2016. and Paternity Leave Mandate Jeopardizes the production of — Unduly burdens and increases California-based fuel supply and

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45 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: ONTARIO EPR BILL SEEMS POISED TO MOVE AHEAD BY BOBBY ELLIOTT, RESOURCE RECYCLING

A broad range of stakeholders was, in our opinion, a compro- “Stewards tend to favor a regula- have recently expressed support mise and a starting point for tory approach that pairs any for the Waste Free Ontario Act, the province.” increase in producer funding or Bill 151, which would cover with a commensurate increase in Godard now says full producer printed paper and packaging and control over recycling operations responsibility is simply part of replace the province’s Waste (collection or processing or both) a “natural maturation process” Diversion Act (WDA) of 2002. because it enables producers to in Ontario. Municipalities, manage outcomes and costs. Under the WDA, stewards are while currently seeking some Bill 151 seems to recognize and ONTARIO’S currently required to split the changes to the legislation, appropriately assign roles and costs of recycling printed and including the creation of a PROPOSED responsibilities for Ontario’s resi- paper packaging (PPP) with municipal waste advisory body, dential recycling system,” the RECYCLING municipalities. Bill 151, which seem to agree. group stated. PROGRAM HAS passed its second reading earlier “Municipalities are funded for this month in Ontario Legislature, Bill 151 is currently being NOT BEEN only a portion of the costs that would make companies solely reviewed by the Parliament’s WIDELY they incur, so we are certainly responsible for the costs of the Standing Committee on Social OPPOSED. supportive of legislation with the program as well as programs Policy before it heads for a third intent of moving in that direc- for electronics and household reading and a final vote by legis- tion,” said Vincent Sferrazza, a hazardous waste. lators. Godard from the Recycling longtime City of Toronto waste Council of Ontario said it’s possi- Producer-funded recycling management executive. ble the bill could be passed as systems that are mandated by A representative of the Associ- early as this spring. law are referred to as extended • ated Municipalities of Ontario producer responsibility (EPR). Reprinted from www.resource-re- (AMO) also indicated support British Columbia rolled out an cycling.com, April 18, 2016. for the legislation. EPR system for printed paper and packaging two years ago. “We think it’s a sound policy,” Dave Gordon, AMO’s senior advi- Natural maturation process sor for waste diversion, said. The Recycling Council of Ontario is one group that’s pushing for “If you want to drive real change the legislation to become law. in terms of the types of resources used and the way they design “The WDA was a compromise things, I think you really have to and the compromise was the first have those end-of-life costs inter- realization and acceptance that nalized to the producer.” the private sector who puts pack- aging on the marketplace should Though costs would grow for be somewhat responsible for the producers under the new legisla- cost of end-of-life management,” tion, Bill 151 is “likely to be sup- Jo-Anne St. Godard, the group’s ported by most stewards,” the executive director, said. “That Canadian Stewardship Services Alliances said.

46 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: CONVERTING FREE RIDERS INTO PRODUCT STEWARDS BY CARL SMITH, GREEN BIZ

During the last 10 years, portable those from manufacturers who With these problems in mind, electronic devices powered by voluntarily provide for the man- Call2Recycle advocates that the batteries have proliferated, agement of end-of-life of the U.S. needs tougher laws to changing the way we communi- products they put into the require non-participating compa- cate and work. The explosion of marketplace. nies to join and financially sup- gadgets such as smartphones, port product stewardship Non-participants or “free riders” tablets, laptops and handheld programs or face penalties. The threaten the financial viability of gaming systems makes product more batteries collected, the product stewardship programs stewardship, or managing the more important it is to capture CALL2RECYCLE by increasing unsupported costs. lifecycle of products, even more free riders and get them to par- They also create an unequal HAS INCREASED important. ticipate because companies playing field whereby responsi- have a duty to be environmen- RECYCLING Historically, Call2Recycle, Inc., ble businesses bear the burden tally responsible as a part of THROUGHOUT North America’s leading battery that should be supported by all doing business. NORTH AMERICA stewardship organization, has businesses in the technology/ OVER 20 YEARS. supported voluntary extended battery sectors. Enforcement is an important part producer responsibility for bat- of mandatory extended producer Call2Recycle estimates that teries and battery-powered prod- responsibility requirements and about 30 percent of the waste ucts. These programs are funded jurisdictions need the tools to batteries collected in their pro- by industry stewards, such as pursue compliance. This could gram come from free riders and, battery and battery-powered include taking legal action or fin- as the number of collections product manufacturers, to sup- ing non-participating companies increases, the problem grows. port collecting batteries and to recoup product stewardship gadgets at their end-life and Some jurisdictions have an addi- costs from collecting and recy- recycling the materials. During tional challenge where certain cling materials. more than 20 years of opera- companies gain an exemption Mandatory product stewardship tions, Call2Recycle steadily has for product stewardship despite requirements are the next stage increased collections and recy- having products that require bat- for optimizing collections for the cling throughout North America. teries. However, this is just shirk- future by ensuring every pro- ing the responsibility when their However, the rapid growth of ducer is responsible for the full batteries still end up in the col- portable electronics and batter- lifecycle of their products, includ- lection stream without the com- ies indicates that more must be ing recycling and safe disposal panies’ support. done to keep up with the amount at the end of life. As more con- of products that enter the mar- Call2Recycle regularly reaches sumers recycle batteries, to keep ketplace. Collections and recy- out to brands and invite them to them out of landfills and use for cling historically have been participate in product steward- the manufacturing of new prod- supported by voluntary product ship programs. However, few ucts, we need to support the stewards; however, companies states require mandatory partici- growth of these environmentally that don’t voluntarily fund recy- pation, which can mean a lot of sustainable habits. cling programs unfairly benefit free riders taking advantage of (Continued, see Riders, page 48) from them. These products end the good practices funded by up being recycled along with other companies.

47 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

FREE RIDERS MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE [CONT’D]

An example of this is in Vermont, life of batteries that enter the It’s no longer sustainable to let Reprinted from www.greenbiz. where recently the first nation- marketplace. the forward-thinking product com, February 23, 2016. wide single-use battery law was stewards bear all the cost and Free riders abuse the good busi- launched, requiring primary (sin- commitment to ensure recycling ness practices of responsible gle-use) battery producers must of the nation’s electronics companies and must be held fund and provide a take-back and and batteries. accountable for their actions. • recycling program for the end-of-

48 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: W&H INTRODUCES NEW FLEXO AND GRAVURE PRESSES AT DRUPA 2016

Windmoeller & Hoelscher Group In addition to the booth at Drupa, Machines from Windmoeller will present its comprehensive W&H will simultaneously host an & Hoelscher are in use in over product portfolio on more than in-house expo with further ma- 130 countries and by more than 1,000 m2 at Drupa 2016 in Dus- chine demonstrations in its new 5,000 customers. In 2015 the seldorf (Hall 15, Booth A41). 3000 m2 technology center in Windmoeller & Hoelscher Lengerich. Group with its headquarters in A new generation of flexo and Lengerich, Germany, reached gravure printing presses will be ABOUT WINDMOELLER & sales of approximately 720 premiered at the event. “As is HOELSCHER: Mio. EUR. W&H’S BOOTH customary for W&H, we will un- Windmoeller & Hoelscher, a • WILL FOCUS ON veil our newest technologies at family-owned company, is world Reprinted from Windmoeller Drupa where visitors from all leader for machinery and sys- & Hoelscher press release, THE MOTTO over the world can have a close- tems for the manufacturing and March 6, 2016. “PACKAGING up view,” says Dr. Jurgen Vutz, converting of flexible packaging. 4.0.” CEO of W&H. Live machine The product portfolio includes demonstrations will run several high-performance machines for times daily. film extrusion, printing and con- verting. As a global company At this year’s tradeshows, W&H W&H offers its clients everything will focus on the concept of Pack- from a single source: from expert aging 4.0, the company’s vision consultation and engineering to of Industry 4.0 applied to the the delivery of high quality ma- production of packaging. “We chines and complete packaging will show how intelligent production lines. Approximately machines, integrated processes 2,500 employees create optimal and intuitive handling are solutions for the individual pro- already increasing efficiency duction tasks of flexible packag- during production and bringing ing producers—bringing the customers substantial added corporate philosophy “Passion value,” adds Vutz. for Innovation” to life.

49 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: CANADA’S FLEXSTAR PACKAGING RUNNING FIRST MIRAFLEX S PRESS IN NORTH AMERICA

Richmond, BC-based Flexstar warehousing and specialty con- ABOUT WINDMOELLER & Packaging has installed the first verting applications. The new HOELSCHER: MIRAFLEX S flexographic press building will also house an Inno- Windmoeller & Hoelscher, a from Windmoeller & Hoelscher vation Center. Other equipment family-owned company head- (W&H) in North America. acquired by Flexstar includes a quartered in Lengerich, Germany, third combi laminator, a third The MIRAFLEX S has been in full is a world leader for machinery pouch machine and a wide-web operation since November 2015. and systems for the manufactur- laser scoring unit. Flexstar’s President, Marc Bray, ing and converting of flexible packaging. The product portfolio W&H DESIGNED said, “We have wide-web presses As a part of Flexstar’s commit- includes high-performance ma- THE MIRAFLEX S at FLEXSTAR. The MIRAFLEX S is ment to long-term social respon- a narrow- to mid-web press that sibility, the company is working chines for film extrusion, printing TO FACILITATE complements the machinery we on a regenerative thermal oxi- and converting. As a global com- QUICK JOB have and is able to reliably tackle dizer to eliminate VOC emissions. pany, W&H offers its clients CHANGES FOR any kind of job we need to run, A heat exchanger will capture every thing from a single source, from expert consultation and en- NARROW- TO regardless of size or if the job is energy for plant heating and gineering to the delivery of high MID-WEB JOBS. a PET, OPP or thin gauge PE specialty applications application.” requiring hot room curing. The quality machines and complete project is scheduled for comple- packaging production lines. Bray added that the company tion in fall 2016, making Flexstar Approximately 2,500 employees is benefitting from the Flexo the first flexible packaging con- create optimal solutions for the ControI Insetter feature, which verter in Western Canada with individual production tasks of has increased the productivity this technology. flexible packaging producers— on matte finish applications. bringing the corporate philoso- W&H designed the MIRAFLEX S ABOUT FLEXSTAR phy “Passion for Innovation” to to facilitate quick job changes PACKAGING INC: life. Machines from Windmoeller Flexstar manufactures custom for narrow- to mid-web jobs. The & Hoelscher are in use in over printed, laminated, flexible roll- trusted TURBOCLEAN wash-up 130 countries and by more than stock and specialty films for the system cleans all decks within 5,000 customers. In 2015, the consumer and industrial markets 3.5 minutes so changeovers take Windmoeller & Hoelscher Group in North America. “We have a just minutes. Another benefit of reached sales of approximately clear vision, a heavy focus on the press is the reduction of 720 Mio. EUR. • people, and are nimble so we can waste, with as little as 75 feet of quickly respond to changing cus- Reprinted from Windmoeller & substrate from unwind to rewind. tomer needs. Much of our suc- Hoelscher press release, March Repeats range from 10¢¢ to 31.5¢¢. cess has been based on our 24, 2016. The MIRAFLEX S was part of a team's collective experience in larger expansion undertaken by the industry.” Flexstar. The company recently added 32,000 ft2 for increased

50 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: FLEXSTAR REINVENTS ITSELF THROUGH TECHNOLOGY BY DON LOEPP, PLASTICS NEWS

Flexstar Packaging Inc.’s roots Sonoco Products Co. of Hartsville, The first 16,000 square feet date back to the 1970s, but the S.C. But he ended up leading a opened last year, and the rest company today looks very little group that purchased the com- will open in August. like it did 40 years ago. pany, with backing from Ronald The new building, which is across Stern, an individual investor with The flexible packaging extrusion a parking lot from the existing a long-term strategy based in and converting plant has had plant, will house what the com- Vancouver, British Columbia. eight changes in ownership since pany is calling its innovation the early days, when it made They felt the company could center, which will help customers THE FACTORY commodity products like T-shirt thrive as a full-service flexible become familiar with new types HAS STABILITY sacks and produce bags. packaging company. Bray said of packaging, including stand-up customers in western North pouches. AND A FOCUS But under the current regime, America were underserved in which started in 2005, the “It’s a place where customers can ON GROWING that niche, and were turning to factory has stability and a focus come and learn about structures MARKETS THAT’S suppliers in the Far East, or the on growing markets that’s and filling technologies. We can eastern United States and REAPING reaping significant growth. teach them about flexible pack- Canada. SIGNIFICANT aging, and we’ll help them launch “We’ve followed a very signifi- The change in focus meant new products,” Bray said. GROWTH. cant capitalization program investing in new technology and over the 11 years that we’ve The new building will free up equipment. Flexstar started a been in business, and really have space in the 66,000-square-foot graphic department in 2009. It changed, dramatically changed, main plant, which Bray expects also added a Combi laminator— the product lines that we sell our will soon be filled with additional Flexstar now has three—and customers today,” said President laminating, printing and extru- both film extrusion and printing and CEO Marc Bray. sion equipment. equipment from Windmoeller & Today the company’s focus is on Hoelscher. In addition to machinery, the custom printed, laminated, flexi- company has made substantial The latest W&H line, a Miraflex S ble roll-stock and specialty films changes to its service and quality flexographic printing press, is the for the consumer and industrial operations. That meant hiring first of its kind in North America. markets. Typical products are a team that includes Dale Ince, films and pouches used to pack- “Since 2005 we’ve probably vice president-technology; age food. invested $16 [million] or $17 Mike Aves, director of opera- million in the plant,” Bray said. tions; and Darcy Asham, opera- Bray has been at the Richmond Flexstar is in the process of tions improvement manager. plant since 2003—prior to Flex- adding 32,000 square feet of (Continued, see Flexstar, page 52) star’s founding—when he was space, for warehousing and spe- assigned to turn around the cialty converting applications. operation by the previous owner,

51 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

FLEXSTAR REINVENTS ITSELF [CONT’D]

An example of their work: technology,” Ince said. He also Flexstar started with 32 employ- Flexstar put in place a new infor- talked about the commitment to ees. Now it has 122, including 50 mation system that allows training at Flexstar, something on the plant floor. Today the customers to track and quickly that was confirmed by Klaus company has annual sales of access information, like inven- Kleemann, vice president of sales “over $35 million,” Bray said. tory and shipping schedules. at W&H’s U.S. unit in Lincoln, R.I. “We’ve doubled our revenue in “This industry is not like it used Flexstar sent workers to W&H’s the last five years, and I expect to be, where you found 10–12 training facilities in Germany, we can double again in the next week lead times,” Bray said. where maintenance crews and five years—or less,” he said. “The supply chain work that machine operators got both That could mean growing through we do, that’s a big part of classroom and hands-on instruc- acquisition, Bray said, but defi- our success.” tion. Later on, they did follow-up nitely expanding outside its base training, too. Ince said Flexstar’s strength in western North America. is how it reacts to customers’ “During this training the opera- “We’ve had a lot of our customers needs. Another key is the work- tors start with an empty press ask us,” he said. “There are force. While the company is only that needs to be set up com- always plans. We’d plan to follow 11 years old, some employees pletely, which gives them deep the same formula that has have been at the plant for more understanding of all systems,” worked here.” than 30 years. Kleemann said. “From the begin- • ning you start with a well-trained Reprinted from plasticsnews. “Our customers see us as [pro- crew and thus maximize your com, April 26, 2016. Copyright viding] good quality service, productivity.” ©1995-2016 Crain Communica- quality print and expertise in tions Inc. All Rights Reserved.

52 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: SHIP & SHORE ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCES CANADIAN MARKET PRESENCE

Ship & Shore Environmental, from the USA and Europe. Our production to save and re-use Inc., a leading global pollution mission is to add value to every energy. Captured heat may be abatement service provider, product that we represent, used to preheat the incoming announced today a major boost through deep technical and volatile organic compound of its Canadian market presence market knowledge. In that sense, (VOC)-laden air stream before after expanding its existing Webconvert and Ship & Shore entering the combustion cham- alliance with Webconvert, a are a perfect match, because ber with oxidizer systems. Hot Toronto-based company that acts we share similar business and exhaust can also be passed as an agent/manufacturer’s rep- customer service objectives.” through a boiler to produce SHIP & SHORE resentative for certain product steam, hot water or hot oil for Along those lines, Oskouian says WILL CONTINUE lines, including pollution control. other processes heating require- Ship & Shore will continue to ments, saving wasted energy and TO DEVELOP With this expanded agreement, develop strategies cooperatively optimizing efficiency. STRATEGIES Webconvert will continue to with Webconvert clients to meet COOPERATIVELY. serve as a local liaison between new and more demanding S&SE’s expertise offers a com- Ship & Shore and Canadian man- provincial and municipal govern- plete source for environmental ufacturers to provide a Canadian ment regulations pertaining to and energy solutions, featuring perspective on the market and pollution abatement. both quick ROI and the afore- pollution control regulations. mentioned cash incentives— Webconvert’s primary business is adding to a company’s perform- “Our exciting, enhanced alliance supplying machinery for the Flex- ance and profitability. with Webconvert will greatly ible Packaging industry including expand our Canadian presence,” accessories, control systems What industries and customers said Anoosheh Oskouian, CEO and peripheral products for use to benefit most from this of Ship & Shore Environmental, on printing machinery, paper expanded alliance? Inc., in Long Beach, Calif. “Our machinery, and many other • Printing—both wide web flexo- primary goal with this relation- related machines such as slitters, graphic and gravure, and Flexible ship has always been to assist rewinders and laminators. It Packaging. Canadian companies in their serves the converting, printing manufacturing operations by and flexible packaging industries • Pulp & Paper, Petrochemicals collecting and destroying VOCs within Canada by providing ex- What type of projects, solutions leading to emission reductions. cellent sales, service and techni- are the alliance’s main targets Now, this new development has cal advice for our many diverse with Canadian customers? meant the alliance has taken a principals across the industry. • Clean Tech Regenerative turn for the better.” Ship & Shore’s professional staff Thermal Oxidizers (RTOs) “We are very excited about our custom designs waste heat and • Low NOx burners expanded relationship with Ship energy recovery systems capable & Shore,” said Dirk Kroll, presi- of capturing hot exhaust from • Scrubbers dent at Webconvert. “We serve combustion produced during • Energy efficiency and heat Canadian customers, providing a various manufacturing processes recovery strategies comprehensive line of products and redirects to other areas of (Continued, see Alliance, page 54)

53 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

SHIP & SHORE EXPANDS ALLIANCE [CONT’D]

ABOUT SHIP & SHORE Ship & Shore has been prepared ABOUT WEBCONVERT LTD. Reprinted from Ship & Shore ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. to handle and advise on the full Webconvert supplies machinery Environmental press release. Ship & Shore Environmental, spectrum of environmental for the Flexible Packaging indus- Inc. is a Long Beach, Calif.-based needs with its complete array of try including accessories, control woman-owned, certified busi- engineering and manufacturing systems and peripheral products ness specializing in air pollution capabilities and multiple offices for use on printing machinery, capture and control systems for around the U.S., Canada, Europe paper machinery, and many other industrial applications. Ship & and most recently, China. With related machines such as slitters, Shore helps major manufacturers over 100 specialized profession- rewinders and laminators. Web- meet Volatile Organic Com- als spread throughout the world, convert is a stocking distributor, pounds (VOC) abatement chal- the company is dedicated to with an inventory of spare parts lenges by providing customized designing tailored solutions for and accessories at its Toronto energy-efficient air pollution its energy clients. Warehouse. Webconvert also abatement systems for various acts as an agent (manufacturer’s industries, resulting in improved representative) for certain prod- operational efficiency and tailored uct lines which are custom built “green” solutions. Since 2000, or made order. •

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54 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: SHIP&SHORE ENVIRONMENTAL’S ANOOSHEH OSKOUIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN DRUPA CUBE

Anoosheh Oskouian, CEO at Drupa Cube participants signing the use of digital printing tech- Ship & Shore Environmental, up for “Innovative Approaches to niques in packaging and other Inc., will be among the talented, New Markets” will experience sectors continue to illustrate knowledgeable professionals three segments, which are de- the amazing potential of print.” participating in the upcoming signed to serve as a catalyst for Oskouian says that is exactly “Innovative Approaches to New innovative thinking, technology why Ship & Shore, specifically Markets” workshop, part of and solutions. The first segment her personal expertise, are a Drupa Cube 2016. Drupa Cube will surface a random innovative great match with Drupa 2016, is just one of the exciting experi- idea from each workgroup. The CEO BRINGS especially the Drupe Cube work- ences at the upcoming Drupa second segment will serve to shop concept. Ship & Shore has PRINTING 2016 conference, the world’s evaluate and develop the idea, helped its clients master the leading trade fair for print and and in the third segment, the INDUSTRY challenges in pollution control cross-media, set for Dusseldorf, best ideas will be presented. EXPERTISE that the print, packaging and Germany, May 31–June 10. TO GLOBAL Oskouian’s company has not just media sectors face in their INNOVATION “The workshop will show how been a leading environmental day-to-day operations. out-of-the-box thinking and ideas pollution solutions sector prob- WORKSHOP. For those clients (and its client actually lead to innovative tech- lem solver for 16 years, it’s also base overall), Ship & Shore’s nology, products and solutions,” been a key provider in the flexo- professional staff custom Oskouian says. “I am so proud to graphic industry for several years designs waste heat and energy be part of this experience.” as part of that history. Oskouian’s recovery systems capable of firm blends multiple disciplines, Ship & Shore Environmental is capturing hot exhaust from com- years of experience and know- a Long Beach, Calif.-based, bustion produced during various how and innovative thinking to woman-owned certified business manufacturing processes and develop cost effective, success- specializing in air pollution cap- redirects to other areas of pro- driven environmental and opera- ture and control systems for in- duction to save and re-use tional solutions for the printing dustrial applications, with a deep energy. S&SE's expertise offers industry. knowledge and special expertise a complete source for environ- gleaned through years of work- “Visitors to Drupa 2016 will expe- mental and energy solutions, ing with printing industry clients. rience an exciting new interdisci- featuring both quick ROI and the plinary international approach to aforementioned cash incentives— Oskouian specifically will be part innovation in print when they adding to a company’s perform- of Drupa Cube, an innovative stop by the Drupa Cube” says ance and profitability. think tank featuring “on-demand” • Sabine Geldermann, director of coaching led by Oskouian and Reprinted from Ship & Shore Drupa Cube. “This special confer- several other experienced lead- Environmental press release, ence and event program will fea- ers in the industry. Drupa Cube is May 24, 2016. ture a wide range of applications organized and run by the Medici for printed products in numerous Group. The six highlighted topics industries and areas of life. New of Drupa 2016 include multichan- technologies like printed elec- nel, print, functional printing, 3D tronics and 3D printing, creative printing, packaging production multichannel applications and and green printing.

55 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: MACDERMID PARTNERS WITH COMEXI FOR FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING INNOVATION

MacDermid Graphics Solutions of print quality, but also produc- about 500 workers and Catalan has successfully finalized a tivity—and Comexi’s innovative capital, it runs five product lines, collaborative partnership with technologies deliver on both each specialized in a different Comexi, a leading company spe- accounts. conversion process: flexography cializing in machinery solutions printing, offset printing, roto - “We are pleased to have a part- for the flexible packaging con- gravure printing, laminating, slit- ner like MacDermid,” said David verting industry. The collabora- ting and logistic complements. Centelles, Comexi CTec and Cor- tion will combine the strength of porate Marketing Director. He Comexi includes the Manel Xifra MacDermid’s plate offerings with INNOVATION added, “For Comexi is important Boada Technological Center Comexi’s press technology solu- THROUGH MacDermid’s trust in our experi- where the company provides tions in order to provide quality ence to develop new strategies in support and transfers its knowl- COLLABORATION and productivity benefits before, order to increase productivity on edge to the various groups IS TRULY WHAT during and after print. flexible printing. According to our involved in the flexible printing WILL MOVE “Collaborative partnerships are high performance developments industry process. The company FLEXOGRAPHIC a foundation of our market and linked to the 4.0 revolutionary has more than 36,000 sqm dis- PRINTING TO innovation strategy,” said Ryan industry, all these synergies with tributed over three production THE NEXT LEVEL. Vest, Global Director of Innova- MacDermid, linked with innova- centers in Riudellots de la Selva tion at MacDermid Graphics tive solutions, are a key point to (Girona, Spain), Brazil and Italy Solutions. He continued, “We are develop the future of the flexible and utilizes its widespread sales pleased to have a valued partner packaging.” network extending over 100 of the caliber of Comexi to work countries to provide each client Flexo plate solutions with towards our combined goal a response to their exact needs. As a result of the partnership, of pushing the boundaries of MacDermid and Comexi will ABOUT MACDERMID flexographic printing. Innovation collaborate to: GRAPHICS SOLUTIONS through collaboration is truly MacDermid Graphics Solutions what will move flexographic • Develop innovative solutions is a leader in the manufacturing printing to the next level.” for customers around the globe and marketing of flexographic Comexi, over sixty years of • Further thought leadership printing plates used in the pack- machine manufacturing for the through engaging in industry aging industry. MacDermid flexible packaging industry events and publications Graphics Solutions is a division Comexi’s commitment to sustain- • Utilize the combined capabili- of MacDermid Performance Solu- able innovation through research ties of both companies for ex- tions, a global specialty chemi- and technological designs aimed panding end-user knowledge cals company serving the diver- at creating machines that are ef- through training sessions and si fied needs of the electronics, ficient, reliable, and energy intel- other customer-focused events. industrial, offshore and printing ligent combined with MacDermid’s industries. ABOUT COMEXI • innovative photopolymer plate Comexi has extensive experience Reprinted from MacDermid press offerings will push the bound- in manufacturing equipment for release, April 12, 2016. aries of flexo print capabilities. the flexible packaging conversion Expanding the capabilities of industry. World leader, with flexography is not only a function

56 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: COMEXI STARTS THE FLEXO- GRAPHIC 70 F4 PRESS UNIT

Comexi, a specialist providing Among other qualities, the Comexi F4 is able to print 8 colors flexible packaging industry solu- Comexi F4 has pipe-less mag- with different formats from 9,4 to tions, started the 70 Comexi F4 netic blades, patented by 23.6 inches, widths up to 36.2 press production this week. Comexi, allowing the printing inches in a 984 fpm speed. Comexi F4 has been the leader in unit to change in less than one ABOUT COMEXI sales success and has also been minute. The press also has fea- Comexi has extensive experience the market benchmark since its tures with high added value and in manufacturing equipment for launch in 2010. improved printing quality pro- the flexible packaging conversion vided exclusively by Comexi. The Comexi Flexo’s brand manager industry. World leader, it runs five machine also has other technical Raul Elfakdi highlighted: “Comexi product lines, each specialised in THIS PRESS elements to minimize strip wear. F4 has become a key element for a different conversion process: In addition, Comexi F4 incorpo- OFFERS SOME the flexographic printing devel- flexography printing, offset print- rates the Direct Drive system to UNIQUE opment in its six years on the ing, rotogravure printing, lami- synchronize central drum and market.” Elfakdi also added: nating, slitting and logistic SOLUTIONS FOR mandrels. This process is possi- “Comexi constantly offers inno- complements. SHORT-TERM ble through encoders mounted vative, competitive and efficient directly on the axis, improving Comexi includes the Manel Xifra AND MID-TERM solutions in order to meet market the reading accuracy and print Boada Technological Centre RUNS. demands.” logging. The Comexi F4 has also where the company provides Raul Elfakdi also said: “Comexi been reinforced by a core anilox support and transfers its knowl- F4 was designed as a high per- of 59.8 inches in diameter. edge to the various groups in- formance printed for short and volved in the flexible printing With the Comexi F4 maintenance medium runs. This is a high- industry process. The company is easier and more accessible. demand sector which requires has more than 36,000 sqm. For example, the platform incor- continuous changes. We offer a distributed over three production porates an easy-opening system competitive machine in quality centres in Riudellots de la Selva to clean the central drum and it and price and with the most (Girona, Spain), Brazil and Italy. is possible to disassemble the advanced solutions. Furthermore, its widespread drying screens from the side for sales network extends to more High performance cleaning. Furthermore, the than 100 countries, providing an Comexi F4 is the most efficient threading material is easy and answer to all its client’s needs. for flexographic printing short- very accessible without the need • run solution since it is 28.3-36.2 of motorization or access stairs. Reprinted from Comexi press inches wide with a 23.6-inch release, May 25, 2016. It is also a user-friendly machine maximum format. This press was because the control panel lo- the first to incorporate FLEXOEffi- cated strategically making easier ciency patented concepts, with the printing process elements ergonomics, accessibility and control. performance and robustness, becoming the new characteristics for the F2 and Comexi F1 press models.

57 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: LAYFIELD FLEXIBLE PACKAGING ADDS SPACE AND EQUIPMENT BY DON LOEPP, PLASTICS NEWS

A flexible packaging converter is The company is planning an The company declines to provide moving into an expanded space invitation-only open house to sales information. In addition to with new converting equipment, unveil the project on May 13, Richmond, it has locations thanks in part to growth that it is Synnott said. throughout North America, achieving by using partners in including fabrication operations Synnott attributed the company’s Asia for some manufacturing. and offices in Spring Valley, growth, in part, to what he called Calif.; Calgary, Alberta; Renton, The company is the Layfield Flex- a hybrid manufacturing model. Wash.; Vaughn, Ontario; Colliers, ible Packaging unit of Layfield Layfield has tight partnerships W. Va.; and Kingwood, Texas. THE COMPANY Group Ltd., a company with three with some Asian converters— HAS THREE separate but related plastic film most in China—that handle some The company’s construction divisions: environmental contain- of Layfield’s manufacturing. products and environmental SEPARATE BUT ment, construction products and containment units make “You [the customer] go to Layfield, RELATED PLASTIC flexible packaging. geomembranes and specialty and we manage everything. That geosynthetics. While the busi- FILM DIVISIONS. The Flexible Packaging unit gives us scalability,” he said. The nesses may appear to have little moved into a newly constructed strategy gives Layfield the ability in common with flexible packag- 47,000-square-foot building on to handle more and larger projects. ing, Layfield officials say there April 18. The building is adjacent Layfield has been following this are advantages to having them to other Layfield operations, on a strategy for about five years. all under the same umbrella sprawling campus in an industrial “We’re not brokers. We manage organization. park in Richmond. everything here. We manage “By having the strength of all The building houses new con- the process. It’s seamless to our three, our buying power for resin verting equipment—but Richard customers,” Synnott said. [and] everything just scales up. Synnott, the business unit man- Layfield Flexible Packaging’s That makes us a more potent ager, declined to provide details. in-house capabilities include player for the packaging mar- “This basically is to increase the blown film extrusion, flexo- ket,” Synnott said. • capacity of our flexible packaging graphic and rotogravure printing, Reprinted from plasticsnews. business unit,” Synnott said in solvent-less lamination, slitting com, April 26, 2016. Copyright an interview in Richmond. “Our and bag conversion. ©1995-2016 Crain Communica- business has been growing at a Layfield started as Layfield Plas- tions Inc. All Rights Reserved. double-digit annual rate.” tics in the 1950s. When company Layfield Flexible Packaging ex- founder Eric Layfield retired in trudes and converts film, mostly 1978, he sold the business to the polyethylene. Products include Rose family. Tom Rose remains medical overwrap, industrial the company’s president and products, and consumer packag- CEO, and the next generation of ing for items including food, pet the family is heavily involved in food and hygiene products. the business.

58 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: NOVOLEX AGREES TO ACQUIRE HERITAGE BAG COMPANY

Novolex, a Wind Point Partners created by Carl Allen and his billion revenue company with and TPG Growth portfolio com- team, one that includes nearly over 6,000 employees and 43 pany and North America’s leader 800 dedicated employees and manufacturing locations in North in packaging and sustainability, their families as well as long- America, including two world- today announced it has agreed term partnerships with excellent class recycling facilities. to acquire Heritage Bag Company distribution partners and ABOUT HERITAGE BAG (HBC), a premier manufacturer of customers.” COMPANY plastic can liners and other pack- Alex Washington, a Managing Heritage Bag Company is a sec- aging products based in Dallas, Director at Wind Point, said ond generation, privately owned TX. The transaction is expected “We’re very excited to welcome business that was founded in to close in the second quarter. BY ADDING Heritage Bag Company into 1973 as a manufacturer of plastic HERITAGE BAG, “I believe becoming part of Novolex as well as the Wind Point trash bags, can liners and food NOVOLEX IS Novolex will allow Heritage and Team. I commend Carl Allen and bags sold to institutional and its employees to continue to the entire HBC organization on commercial customers. Today, it’s NOW A $2.3 prosper and grow,” Carl Allen, their well-deserved reputation one of the leading institutional BILLION CEO of Heritage states. “It is an for quality products and out- can liner producers in North COMPANY ideal fit. Novolex leadership is standing service to customers, America, has nearly 800 employ- WITH OVER very much aligned with our prin- which we plan to build upon.” ees and operates six world-class ciples at Heritage. They are com- manufacturing sites, with strong, 6000 HBC is Novolex’s fifth acquisition mitted to employees’ welfare as long term relations with its distri- since Wind Point Partners acquired EMPLOYEES. well as the communities where bution partners. Heritage’s prod- Novolex (formerly Hilex Poly) in they live and work. That’s very ucts serve the health care, food 2012, in partnership with Chair- important to me and it was an service and hospitality, indus- man and CEO Stan Bikulege. essential requirement for the trial, education, office building, TPG Growth is also part of the transaction.” building services and transpor - ownership of Novolex and made tation markets. Bank of America “We are excited about the addi- a minority investment in the Merrill Lynch acted as Heritage tion of Heritage employees to the business in November of 2015. Bag Company’s exclusive finan- Novolex Family,” Stan Bikulege, Previous Novolex acquisitions cial advisor in connection with Chairman and CEO of Novolex include Wisconsin Film & Bag its sale to Novolex. Haynes and states. “This is very important to (October 2015), Packaging Dy- Boone, LLP acted as Heritage our future. The HBC Team and namics (December 2014), Duro Bag Company’s legal advisor products are a great fit for Nov- Bag (July 2014) and a portion of in connection with its sale olex and we will soon integrate Clondalkin Group’s North Ameri- to Novolex. our existing can liner business can Flexible Packaging Division (Continued, see Heritage, page 60) with the HBC Team. We are bring- (April 2013). With the addition of ing aboard an outstanding legacy Heritage, Novolex is now a $2.3

59 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

NOVOLEX ACQUIRES HERITAGE BAG COMPANY [CONT’D]

ABOUT NOVOLEX ABOUT WIND POINT ABOUT TPG GROWTH Backed by the resources of TPG, Novolex™ is one of North Amer- PARTNERS TPG Growth is the middle market which has over $74 billion of ica’s leaders in packaging choice Wind Point Partners is a private and growth equity investment assets under management, TPG and sustainability serving retail, equity investment firm that man- platform of TPG, the global pri- Growth leverages the firm's sec- grocery, food service, hospitality, ages commitments of approxi- vate investment firm. With more tor teams, portfolio companies institutional and industrial mar- mately $2.5 billion. Wind Point than $7 billion in assets under and network. TPG Growth has kets. With the addition of Heritage partners with top caliber CEOs management and committed offices in the United States, Bag Company, the company has to acquire middle market busi- capital, TPG Growth targets China, India, United Kingdom, over 6,000 employees and 43 nesses where we can establish investments in a broad range Turkey, Brazil and Singapore. • manufacturing plants in North a clear path to value creation. of industries and geographies, Press release reprinted from America, including two world- with a significant focus on the Novolex and Heritage Bag, class facilities. U.S. and large, emerging markets April 4, 2016. Headquartered in Hartsville, SC, such as China, India, Turkey, the Company’s brands include Brazil and Southeast Asia. TPG Hilex Poly, Fortune Plastics, Growth has the deep sector Novolex Custom Film & Bag, knowledge, operational resources Duro Bag, Bagcraft, De Luxe, and global experience to drive General Packaging and Interna- value creation and help compa- tional Converter. nies reach their full potential.

60 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

REGULATIONS: POSITIVE WORKERS’ COMP RATE NEWS FOR CA EMPLOYERS BY JEFFREY C. TERRY, HUB INTERNATIONAL INC.

Not to mix bad news with good mandated to use the rates estab- and payroll by class, applies an (rate decreases versus OSHA fine lished by the WCIRB. Insurance applicable experience modifica- increases—see page 62), but companies are, however, required tion, and then may either debit or there may be workers’ compen- to file rates with the state in credit the premium to arrive at a sation premium rate relief for which they operate for approval target or desired premium they plastics companies that have and use. contemplate as best needed to operations and employees in the adequately insure the exposure When carriers file rates, they will state of California effective July 1, and appropriately capture the generally evaluate the WCIRB 2016. projected/expected losses dur- WORKERS’ advisory rates, apply an expense ing the term to which they are The Workers’ Compensation Rat- multiplier that includes operating COMP RATE providing coverage. ing Bureau of California (WCIRB) expenses, administrative costs, RELIEF MAY recently recommended an overall etc, to promulgate a “base rate.” The underwriting process is part BE COMING aggregate 10.4% decrease for That base rate then becomes the science as well as part art. There JULY 1. the rates in CA effective 7/1/16 filed rate for the class. are nuances that can influence from the 1/1/16 filed rates. The overall premium pricing and ulti- Insurance carrier filed rates can WCIRB sent the recommendation mate individual class rates. It is wary widely from carrier to carrier to the CA Department of Insurance imperative for underwriters to in a given class code depending (DOI) for approval and the Com- best understand risk, know how on carrier loss experience in that missioner approved the overall exposures are controlled and class, carrier appetite, knowl- recommended rate decrease. mitigated, and how safety and edge, and many factors within a Noted in the chart below is an risk control resources are de- specific class/industry segment. advisory rate comparison by ployed to drive favorable, sus- class code illustrating recent During the risk evaluation and tained loss performance. • rate changes for the CA Plastics underwriting process, carriers Reprinted from Power of Protec- industry. use an underwriting methodol- tion newsletter, by Jeffrey C. Terry, ogy that starts with the base rate Advisory rates set by the WCIRB June 2016. are rates that the WCIRB advises insurance carriers to charge in a specific Workers’ Compensation class per $100 of payroll to cover the cost of claims and claim expenses. Insurance companies are not

61 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

REGULATIONS: OSHA FINES SET TO INCREASE AUGUST 1, 2016 BY JEFFREY C. TERRY, HUB INTERNATIONAL INC.

OSHA is slated to increase fines • Other than Serious Violation: starting August 1, 2016, for work- from $7,000 to $12,600 TOP 10 place safety violations. • Serious Violation: from $7,000 CITED OSHA The agency is set to increase to $12,600 STANDARDS penalties for the first time in 25 • Repeat Violation: from $70,000 The following is a list of the top years. OSHA will be allowed to to $126,000 10 most frequently cited stan- increase fines to “catch up” with dards* following inspections inflation since 1990 by issuing by • Willful Violation: from $70,000 of worksites by federal OSHA. July 1, 2016, an “interim final to $126,000 OSHA WILL BE OSHA publishes this list to rule,” which is typically a rule- Companies should be aware ALLOWED TO alert employers about these making process that does not of the pending OSHA changes INCREASE FINES commonly cited standards so require an agency to invite public and familiarize themselves with they can take steps to find TO CATCH UP comment before a final decision frequently cited OSHA standards. and fix recognized hazards WITH INFLATION. is made. The rule would become Consult with your safety, loss addressed in these and other effective by August 1, 2016. prevention and risk management standards before OSHA shows advisor for guidance and support Fines could increase by 80% up. Far too many preventable regarding OSHA related matters. The resulting OSHA penalties • injuries and illnesses occur in could exceed current penalty Reprinted from Power of Protec- the workplace. amounts by more than 80%. tion newsletter, by Jeffrey C. Terry, 1. Fall Protection Assuming an 80% increase, how- June 2016. ever, maximum OSHA penalties 2. Hazard Communication will increase as follows: 3. Scaffolding 4. Respiratory Protection 5. Lockout/Tagout 6. Powered Industrial Trucks 7. Ladders 8. Electrical, Wiring Methods 9. Machine Guarding 10. Electrical, General Require- ments.

*Fiscal 2015 (Oct. 1, 2014, to Sept. 30, 2015). •

62 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

REGULATIONS: FDA TO RECONSIDER SAFETY OF ORTHO- IN FOOD PACKAGING BY PACKAGING STRATEGIES MAGAZINE

The Food and Drug Administra- and paperboard, and plastics “It doesn’t make sense to ban tion (FDA) has agreed to consider that come in contact with food. some ortho-phthalates from chil- withdrawing its approval of 30 dren’s toys, and phase them out Several reports have found toxic chemicals known as ortho- of vinyl flooring, but still approve numerous ortho-phthalates in phthalates from use in food them for contacting food. Ortho- everyday food. While these packaging and food handling phthalates can cause reproduc- chemicals are used in many con- equipment. This comes from a tive and developmental effects,” sumer products other than food, request by 10 environmental, con- said Lisa Lefferts, senior scien- WHILE THESE the primary source of exposure sumer and public health groups. tist, Center for Science in the CHEMICALS ARE appears to be food, presumably Public Interest. USED IN MANY The decision is in response to a from their FDA-approved use in CONSUMER food additive petition from the food packaging and handling Second, FDA declined to review Environmental Defense Fund, equipment. From lower IQ in five ortho-phthalates that were PRODUCTS Natural Resources Defense Coun- young children to malformation approved before 1958. In the OTHER THAN cil, Center for Science in the Pub- of the male genital tract, academic coming days, petitioners will use FOOD, THE lic Interest, Center for Environ - studies have linked some of another regulatory process— PRIMARY SOURCE mental Health, Center for Food these chemicals to a variety of a citizen petition—to request OF EXPOSURE Safety, Clean Water Action, reproductive, developmental and action on these matters. Consumer Federation of America, endocrine health problems. FDA has six months to determine APPEARS TO BE Earthjustice, Improving Kids’ “We’ve known these food pack- if there is a ‘reasonable certainty FOOD. Environment, and Learning Dis- aging chemicals are dangerous of no harm’ for all 30 ortho- abilities Association of America— for a while, but the food process- phthalates as a class. If there is groups all concerned by the ing industry has not acted. They not adequate data for a particu- adverse health effects of ortho- are not protecting the public lar chemical in the class, FDA phthalates at the levels typically from these toxins, so now it’s must assume that chemical also seen in food. time for FDA to do so,” says Peter has reproductive, developmental The Chemicals Policy Director Lehner, senior attorney for the and endocrine toxicity based on at EDF states that the chemicals Sustainable Food and Agriculture its precedential decision on long- are a serious threat to pregnant Program at Earthjustice. chain perfluorinated compounds. women, their developing fetuses FDA rejected two requests in the If FDA agrees with the petition, it and children; yet manufacturers petition on technical grounds. will issue a rule that removes its continue to use ortho-phthalates First, it rejected the NGO’s request approvals for the ortho-phtha- —from farm to fork—even though to ban the ortho-phthalates that lates. Once that rule was pub- there are alternatives. the Consumer Products Safety lished in the Federal Register, it Ortho-phthalates are a class of Commission has proposed to ban would be illegal to sell any foods chemically and pharmacologi- from children’s toys, pacifiers, that contacted packaging or cally related substances used teething rings and other products. equipment using the ortho- as , binders, coating Congress had already banned phthalates in question. • agents, defoamers, gasket clo- the use of some of these ortho- Reprinted from www.packag- sures, and slimicide agents. They phthalates in these products ingstrategies.com, April 25, are used in cellophane, paper in 2008. 2016. 63 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

REGULATIONS: UPDATE ON THE SAFETY OF FOODSERVICE PACKAGING AND CA PROP 65 BY AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL

Polystyrene has been used in California added the substance Consumers can continue to feel foodservice products—foam styrene on April 22, 2016. The confident that their use of poly- coffee cups, salad bar takeout agency did not base this listing styrene foodservice packaging containers, hot noodle cups and on any new scientific findings on is based not only on decades of more—for more than five decades. styrene. Styrene has undergone scientific research but also on Polystyrene has been reviewed decades of scientific review, and the safety approvals of FDA and by regulatory agencies, including it is not categorized as a known other agencies charged with the THE “PROP 65” the U.S. Food and Drug Adminis- human by any regula- safety of food packaging. • tration (FDA), that have deemed tory or scientific review agency LIST CONTAINS Click here for a more detailed it safe for use in contact with anywhere in the world. exploration, with additional NEARLY 900 food. Public health officials also Rather, California agency officials links, of this topic. SUBSTANCES, have recognized the important listed styrene based on actions sanitary benefits of these dispos- * Original quote used the term INCLUDING by the National Toxicology Pro- able foodservice products, “Styrofoam.” STYROFOAM™ is a ASPIRIN AND gram (NTP) that in 2011 identified particularly in settings such as registered trademark of The Dow CAFFEINE, THAT styrene as “reasonably anticipated hospitals, schools, nursing Chemical Company that repre- to be a human carcinogen.” ARE USED SAFELY homes, cafeterias and restau- sents its branded building mate- EVERY DAY. rants where it is critical that the Although styrene is used to make rial products, including rigid foodservice ware in contact with polystyrene, it is important to foam and structural insulated food be clean and hygienic. distinguish between the two. sheathing and more. The brand “Styrene should not be confused name often is misused as a “Prop 65” Listing of Styrene with polystyrene (styrofoam)*. generic term for polystyrene Not Based on New Safety Although styrene, a liquid, is foam foodservice packaging. Information used to make polystyrene, which Proposition 65 is a California law Reprinted from www.plasticfood- is a solid plastic, we do not be- passed in 1986 that requires the servicefacts.com, April 26, 2016. lieve that people are at risk from state to create a list of substances using polystyrene products.” that have certain toxicological (The U.S. National Institutes of Q & A on the Safety of Poly- profiles. The “Prop 65” list con- Environmental Health Sciences styrene Foodservice Products. tains nearly 900 substances, (NIEHS) in June 2011). Click here to view this additional many of which you will recognize, report online. that are used safely every day, FDA Reconfirms Safety of Poly- such as aspirin and caffeine. The styrene Foodservice Packaging mere fact that substances appear In light of the 2011 NTP actions, on the list is not a determination FDA scientists once again reviewed of their safety, and it does not the safety of polystyrene and mean that normal everyday expo- published an update in 2014 sure to these substances will that reconfirmed the safety of lead to health problems. polystyrene for use in contact with food.

64 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA LEADERSHIP FOR 2016: OFFICERS JOHN PICCIUTO, PRESIDENT H Muehlstein & Co.

KEVIN KELLY, VICE PRESIDENT Emerald Packaging

MICHAEL HAILFINGER, TREASURER INX International Ink Co.

CHANDLER HADRABA, SECRETARY Bradley Packaging Systems

WPA TODAY published by: BOARD OF DIRECTORS Western Plastics Association BRUCE CARTER Great American Packaging 1107 9th Street, Suite 930 STEVE DESPAIN Reifenhauser Sacramento, CA 95814 HARALD GOEPPERT Hudson-Sharp Machine Company 916.930.1938 Office ROGER HEWSON Windmoeller & Hoelscher [email protected] www.westernplastics.org RANDY HOLMES Heritage Bag RAY HUFNAGEL Plastic Express Editor: Laurie Hansen DAVID MCKINNEY ISO Poly Films Disclaimer: Western Plastics Association (WPA) does not ANNETTE SAUDER/JARED SAUDER Layfield Group endorse or recommend other ROXANNE VAUGHAN Roplast Industries than those officially endorsed by WPA, any individual or company that we mention in this newsletter. Any business conducted is between the member and the individual or company. Any state- ments made in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of WPA or its Board of Directors.

©2016 Western Plastics Association