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

WWW.WESTERNPLASTICS.ORG MARCH 2016

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: REFLECTIONS ON 2015

Over the last four years issues percent reduction in packaging ing to a 2015 report from the have come up which I felt com- disposal by 2020. Topics dis- Association for Packaging and pelled to comment in this space cussed ranged from allowing Processing Technologies, “the since they were being fiercely waste-to-energy projects to unique benefits of flexible pack- contested, like the bag ban, or count towards meeting this goal, aging have made it the second had major long term ramifica- to the value of secondary MIRF’s largest packaging segment in John Picciuto, President tions to impact our environment, to achieve higher levels of recy- the U.S., representing 19% of of the Western Plastics consider the President’s Message cling. However, questions from the total $164 billion packaging Association on marine debris. I have recently the audience seemed to continue market. The format has grown realized the magnitude of another to focus on multilayer pouches. considerably in popularity over issue looming on the horizon the last decade and has contin- The issue as it relates to SUPs that will directly impact the Plas- ued to take market share in the IN THIS ISSUE: is clearly outlined by Anne Marie tics, and more specifically, the packaging industry.” The growth Mohan, Senior Editor, Packaging Packaging Industry. I believe the in this area is expected to be President’s Report 1 World: “Multilayer, mixed-mater- growing use of stand-up pouches from 3-5% and many processors ial flexible film packaging is a SoCal Meeting: April 5 2 by brand owners and retailers is are already making plans to add sustainability conundrum. a topic that will be hotly debated additional coex lines to meet In Memoriam: Papa Lou 3 Lighter in weight, using less over the next five years. With its this demand. material, and resulting in fewer Bag Bans 5 rapid market expansion, the greenhouse gas emissions than We will keep our membership pouch has now caught regulatory Recycling 11 alternative packaging formats posted as strategies are devel- attention based on the recent such as glass, aluminum, and oped to deal with the end of life Sustainability 22 day-long workshop hosted by rigid , flexibles seem like concerns for this growing market CalRecycle. The goal of the recent Marine Debris 29 the most eco-friendly packaging segment and I encourage each of meeting in Sacramento was for choice. But unlike glass, alu- you to attend our annual confer- EPS 30 groups like the WPA, SPI and ACC minum, and rigid plastic, mixed- ence in Newport Beach this June to define programs and plans to Legislation 32 material flexible film cannot be to hear presentations on this meet the voluntary goal of 50 Member News 43 recovered at end of life.” Accord- and other issues of interest. • WPA SoCal Meeting: APRIL 5, 2016 SEE page 2 for complete details —> RSVP now!

1 UPCOMING WPA PROGRAM: SOCAL MEETING

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RSVP today: [email protected] or 916.930.1938 THE VOICE OF THE IN THE WEST

IN MEMORIAM: PAPA LOU, A CFECA FOUNDING FATHER, PASSES AWAY BY ROGER RENSTROM, PLASTICS NEWS

Louis Kestenbaum, who began An online extension of the busi- Colorado and Texas and became Elkay Plastics Co. in 1968 and ness, Elkay University, offers the largest importer of plastic was a founder of what is now the modules for training individuals bags from Taiwan. Elkay began Louis Kestenbaum, founder Western Plastics Association, in the uses of multiple types of converting to augment inventory of Elkay Plastics Co, Inc. died Feb. 14 at the age of 93. plastic bags for food service and levels as needed and started health care applications. manufacturing custom sizes and A service for Kestenbaum, known custom printing. as “Papa Lou,” took place Feb. 15 Louis Kestenbaum was a residen- at Beth Jacob Congregation in tial home builder and, during an Elkay Plastics continues under PAPA LOU MADE Beverly Hills, Calif. economic slump in 1965, looked the guidance of Louis Chertkow for a way to supplement his in- and has grown into a national AN ENDURING His family said, “He lived a good come. While at a grocery store organization. long life and made an enduring CONTRIBUTION with his wife, Trudy, he noticed contribution to the flexible pack- Kestenbaum’s survivors include TO THE FLEXIBLE that many items were packaged aging industry.” two daughters, Rene Peters and in disposable single-use plastic PACKAGING Lynda Kurtzer; two grandchildren; Kestenbaum founded Elkay bags. INDUSTRY. six great-grandchildren; and a Plastics Co. Inc. in 1968 and sold He visited facilities of Central sister, Rita Adler. Trudy, Rene and the business in 1990. Bag Co. and International Poly, Lynda worked in the business at He was a founder and former then among the biggest flexible various times. president of the California Film packaging firms. Eventually, The Orthodox synagogue in Extruders and Converters Associ- Elkay Plastics acquired both Beverly Hills, Calif., dedicated ation, now operating as the companies. its family youth department in Western Plastics Association. At the time, most the name of Kestenbaum’s wife, Kestenbaum, with a small group bag suppliers did not maintain Trudy, who died in 2010. of other plastics company own- stocks of their most popular ers, formed CFECA in 1973 in an The Harkham Hillel Hebrew sized bags. Kestenbaum’s niche effort to deal with government Academy in Beverly Hills lists was in having many sizes in regulations. Kestenbaum as a “longtime stock, and he advertised Elkay friend and supporter” of the Commerce, Calif.-based Elkay as a “customer’s warehouse.” provider of Jewish education. Plastics manufactures and Whatever a customer needed • supplies plastic bags and has was immediately available. Reprinted with permission from distribution sites in Austell, Plastics News, February 16, 2016. During his tenure, Elkay Plastics Ga.; Bensenville, Ill.; Carrollton, built an inventory termed the Texas; Aurora, Colo.; largest in the country, had Phoenixville, Pa.; Hayward, branches in Washington, Calif.; and Kent, Wash.

3 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

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4 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

BAG BANS: CITY LEADERS CONSIDERING SINGLE-USE BAN BY SARAH MCKENZIE, SOUTHWEST JOURNAL

City Council Members Cam The St. Louis Park City Council Minnesotans throw away 87,000 Gordon (Ward 2) and Abdi also considered a plastic bag ban tons of plastic bags each year, Warsame (Ward 6) have pro- last year, but ultimately shelved according to a fact sheet on posed the “Bring Your Own Bag” the idea in favor of a Zero Waste Gordon and Warsame’s proposed ordinance—a measure designed Packaging Ordinance. Beginning ordinance. In Minneapolis, most to reduce waste and ease the Jan. 1, 2017, food establishments of those plastic bags wind up at burden on one-sort recycling will be required to use packaging the downtown garbage burner. facilities. Plastic bags wrap that is reusable, returnable, Bruce Nustad, president of the around recycling sorting ma- recyclable or compostable for MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota Retailers Association, chines, prompting them to shut takeout food. said the organization hasn’t COULD BECOME down. The Minneapolis City Council taken a formal position on the THE FIRST CITY A public hearing has been set passed a ban on proposed plastic bag ban in IN THE STATE TO for March 21 at City Hall before take-out containers that went Minneapolis. the City Council’s Health, Envi- into effect April 22, 2015. BAN SINGLE-USE Nustad said he hopes city lead- ronment & Community Engage- PLASTIC BAGS AT As currently drafted, Gordon and ers are as open to conversation ment Committee. THE CHECKOUT Warsame’s “Bring Your Own Bag” about a potential plastic bag ban LINE. The ordinance includes several ordinance would have a phased- as leaders were in St. Louis Park. exemptions and allows plastic in implementation in 2017 if He noted that many local retail- bags for newspapers, pet waste, approved by the City Council. ers are leading efforts to recycle dry cleaning, produce bags with- More than 160 U.S. cities have plastic bags. Lunds & Bylerys, out handles and reusable plastic passed a single-use plastic bag for instance, has plastic bag bags of a certain thickness. ban and or fee for disposable recycling drop-off boxes at many The ordinance would also place carryout bags, including Seattle, store locations. • a 5-cent fee on single-use paper Portland and Washington, D.C. Reprinted from www.southwest- bags at grocery stores and other California’s legislature was the journal.com, February, 16, 2016. retailers. first in the nation to impose a statewide ban on single-use “We are trying to address some plastic bags at larger retailers in concerns about litter and waste August 2015. The ban went into in the city, but there is also some effect in July 2015. bigger impacts about greenhouse gas emissions and pollution,” Gordon said.

5 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

BAG BANS: NEW PLASTIC BAG BALLOT MEASURE TARGETS GREEDY GROCERS BY JON FLEISCHMAN, BREITBART CALIFORNIA

For many years, the most extreme The legislation, backed by the This is where things get a little elements of the environmental CGA, passed out of the legisla- more complicated, but I’m count- movement pursued a statewide ture and was signed by Governor ing on you to stick with me as I ban on plastic grocery bags in Jerry Brown. However, the Ameri- talk about a brand new develop- California. Every time they would can Progressive Bag Alliance ment that the greedy grocers do this, despite the overwhelm- immediately set about the task could not have seen coming. ing liberal majorities in the state of collecting over 800,000 signa- A couple of weeks ago the Ameri- legislature, their efforts would tures to refer SB 270 to the THE GREED OF can Progressive Bag Alliance, the fail. voters. The State Constitution THE GROCERS same group that spent several provides that if enough voters Over and over the arguments on million dollars gathering signa- COULD NOT sign petitions they can halt a the junk-science behind defam- tures for the referendum on SB RESIST A newly enacted law, and then that ing the bags, the negative eco- 270, filed a petition to place yet law has to appear before voters WINDFALL. nomic impacts of a ban, and the another ballot measure before on the next general election bal- impressive political coalition voters, entitled the Environmen- lot. If voters approve it, the law opposing the ban combined to tal Tax Protection Act. If passed goes into effect. If they reject it, kill the effort. by the voters, it would require the law is repealed. SB 270, that the ten-cent paper/thicker Until last year, that is, when the statewide plastic bag ban plastic bag tax collected under something happened. combined with the ten-cent per SB 270 be redirected to an paper/thicker plastic bag tax, The California Grocers Associa- environmental purpose. tion (CGA), which had been a key will be up before voters next Specifically, this new measure member of the coalition stopping November. would require that those hun- the ban from passing for many No doubt grocers have been dreds of millions of taxes be years, threw its full weight behind salivating over the opportunity deposited into a state Environ- SB 270, which added to the to reap hundreds of millions mental and Enhancement Fund statewide ban on standard of dollars of profits from their that is administered by the State plastic grocery bags a ten-cent unholy alliance with extreme Wildlife Conservation Board. “fee” (read: TAX) on each paper environmentalists. These funds would then be avail- bag and thicker plastic bag Except that there is now a very able for legitimate environmental provided to customers. The real possibility that they will grants (e.g., drought mitigation profits from those fees will go never see the anticipated 30 projects, recycling). to–you guessed it–the grocers. pieces of silver which they covet– It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, To put it bluntly, the greed of the in fact it’s very possible their or a sophisticated political ana- grocers could not resist the idea greed might cost them big lyst, to figure that the public, if of a windfall that would see them bucks instead. forced to pay a tax at grocery gaining brand new tax-free profits stores, would far more prefer that could approach a half-billion (Continued, see Grocers, page 7) dollars annually.

6 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

BALLOT MEASURE TARGETS GROCERS [CONT’D] that the money go to a public That leaves the members of the tional plastic bags, so grocers benefit than simply to profit California Grocers Association in would be forced either to jack up major grocery chains. Especially quite the conundrum. Before this the overall price of goods just to when they learn during next fall’s new twist their path was clear: cover that cost, or take a signifi- campaign the self-dealing role shell out tens of millions of dol- cant financial loss. A loss that that the California Grocers Asso- lars to help pass SB 270 at the could even further impact the ciation actually played in the ballot. A great investment given already troubled Safeway- process. the huge, permanent financial Albertson’s IPO delayed earlier windfall for their members. this week. Based on the timeline involved with the qualification of a ballot But now you have to wonder if For those of us who watched the measure, the American Progres- the play for the grocers might California Grocers Association sive Bag Alliance will be able to actually be to spend big bucks to “turn” on the customers of all of start gathering signatures for this defeat SB 270 at the ballot box. their stores, and who enjoy the new measure in early December, Not only would the new ballot convenience of plastic bags, which will afford them more than measure divert their windfall to there is a delicious irony in this enough time to gather the neces- a public environmental purpose, turn of events. • sary signatures to place this but it is actually the case that Reprinted from www.breitbart. measure on the November ballot. paper and thicker plastic bags com, October 7, 2015. cost the store more than tradi-

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7 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

BAG BANS: WALMART CANADA WILL START CHARGING FOR PLASTIC BAGS BY CLAIRE ZILLMAN, FORTUNE

In an effort to promote the use of here in Canada have reported Economic Forum in Davos, reusable bags and reduce waste, comparable successes,” he said. Switzerland, last week that Walmart Canada announced on says that by 2050, the ocean is In October, customers in England Monday that it will start charging expected to contain more plastic faced a plastic bag fee for the customers who request plastic than fish by weight if there are first time. It was the last country bags at checkout. The new initia- no efforts taken to reduce plastic in the United Kingdom to adopt a tive is part of its ongoing efforts pollution. plastic bag ban. At the time of • to ultimately achieve zero waste. the ban, consumers in England Reprinted from www.fortune. YOUR NEXT The elimination of free single-use used 12 plastic bags per month. com, January 25, 2016. PLASTIC WALMART plastic bags will be rolled out In Wales, where a bag tax has across Canada starting February been in place since 2011, shop- BAG WILL COST 9. Customers who request plastic pers used two bags per month. YOU—IF YOU'RE bags at checkout will be charged Tesco, Britain’s largest retailer, five cents per bag. IN CANADA. said in early December that the Walmart recognizes that it’s ask- use of plastic bags have dropped ing customers to change their 80% since England’s ban went shopping behavior, Lee Tappen- into place. den, chief operations officer of In the U.S. some states have Walmart Canada said in a state- adopted similar bans. In July, ment. “[B]ut we strongly believe grocery stores in Hawaii were that removing from banned from distributing plastic our waste stream is imperative to bags and about 150 cities and reaching our goal of zero waste counties in California have insti- and will encourage our customers tuted similar rules. A city-wide to broaden their already existing ban on plastic bags also went waste-reduction efforts.” He said into effect in Chicago this that in other international markets, summer. fees encouraging customers to use reusable bags has reduced In announcing its plastic bag ban single-use plastic bags by more in Canada, Walmart cited a study than 50%. “Similar programs introduced at the 2016 World

8 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

BAG BANS: BAG REDUCTION POLICY GOES INTO EFFECT MARCH 1 BY JOHN MACGILLIVRAY, PUBLIC WORKS DEPT.

The Kirkland City Council joined exemptions, including bags used To ease the transition for resi- several other cities in Western to contain bulk food and bulk dents, the City is providing a free Washington in adopting a plastic hardware items, produce and reusable bag, per household, bag reduction policy ordinance in meat, take-out food, newspapers that can be picked up at City Hall. February 2015. After a year of and dry cleaning. Full information on the plastic preparation and outreach, the Retailers were notified of the bag reduction policy, as well as plastic bag reduction policy will policy when it passed and had educational resources and links go into effect March 1, 2016. one year to prepare for the to staff memoranda, are available THE CITY IS Retailers in Kirkland will no ordinance. During the one-year at kirklandwa.gov/bringyourbag. PROVIDING A longer provide single-use, dis- period, the City implemented a Residents and businesses with posable plastic carryout bags to comprehensive education and questions can call the Recycling FREE REUSABLE customers. Kirkland’s ordinance outreach plan that included the Hotline at 425.587.3812 or email BAG, PER requires large retailers to charge creation and distribution of out- [email protected]. • customers a minimum five-cent reach materials to businesses HOUSEHOLD. Press release reprinted from City fee for each large recyclable and residents, distribution of of Kirkland, www.kirklandwa.gov, paper bag to encourage con- thousands high-quality reusable February 22, 2016. sumers to use reusable bags. bags, visits to retailers and ap- The ordinance allows for several pearances at public events.

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9 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

10 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: PACKAGING, CONSUMER GROUPS FAIL CHALLENGE BY CONRAD MACKERRON, SENIOR VP, AS YOU SOW

The consumer goods and pack- It issued a Manufacturers’ Chal- it’s spending $2.4 million nation- aging sector missed a golden lenge, inviting 14 associations ally to double plastic film recy- opportunity earlier this month and groups to present plans for cling from 1 billion pounds to to avoid being regulated as Cali- specific, comprehensive actions 2 billion pounds by 2020, but fornia decides how to meet the to collectively meet a voluntary didn’t provide information on state’s ambitious goal of divert- goal of 50 percent reduction in specific actions to boost recy- ing 75 percent of solid waste packaging disposal by 2020. cling within California. The Soci- through source reduction, recy- ety for the Plastics Industry As an attendee of the recent cling and composting by 2020. discussed projects on healthcare day-long workshop hosted by CALRECYCLE plastics and garment bag recy- CalRecycle, the state’s recycling CalRecycle on Jan. 5, I didn’t hear HAS SPONSORED cling, but neither seemed con- agency, has sponsored work- anything that represented a new nected to the state. The Western WORKSHOPS shops over the past two years to commitment specifically tailored Plastics Association said one of OVER THE PAST gather stakeholder views on how to help the state meet its goal, its members built a plastic recy- TWO YEARS the state can meet its goal. Pack- or anything even approaching a cling facility prototype in the aging has merited special atten- comprehensive plan to cut pack- TO GATHER state, but there was no apparent tion as it comprises one quarter aging disposal in half. STAKEHOLDERS. link to a specific strategy to of all solid waste disposed of in Presentations can be found here. increase collection and recycling the state. Most groups rehashed existing of plastics. The agency has said it hopes a programs. The Carton Council The Grocery Manufacturers Asso- strong emphasis on materials has already invested in financing ciation and Ameripen gave even management programs can re- sorting facility upgrades in the more toothless presentations sult in a shift to highest and best state and taken actions to pro- befitting their roles as groups use of post-consumer packaging, vide markets for its used packag- more interested in blocking gov- and that meeting the goals will ing, resulting in more access to ernment mandates than motivat- require motivation and action at carton recycling for residents. ing members to support projects multiple levels from both private But its recommendations on how that could dramatically increase and public sectors. It has also to achieve further reductions packaging recycling. Another dis- stated a preference to pursue a were vague. “Support public/ appointing sign was the sugges- mandatory approach to meet the private partnerships, support tion by several industry groups goal. Not surprisingly, this was innovation and provide technical that the law be changed to allow opposed by consumer goods and assistance, increase disposal waste-to-energy projects to packaging trade associations and fees,” was how the group count towards meeting the goal, in response, CalRecycle agreed summed it all up in one slide. an idea that dropped like a lead to step back and allow these balloon as staff indicated they groups to make their case for Several presentations made no weren’t planning on going there. how to meet the goals with a attempt to relate ongoing actions (Continued, see Challenge, page 12) voluntary plan. to the state. The American Chem- istry Council, for instance, said

11 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

OPINION: MANUFACTURERS FAILED CHALLENGE [CONT’D]

Part of the problem is the nature packaging 15 percent by 2020 ensure that industry funds would CalRecycle may have little choice of these groups. Trade associa- in its top 14 markets; P&G has be used solely to improve recy- but to move forward with a tions are typically not empow- promised to increase packaging cling infrastructure and yield. mandated approach to meet ered to show dramatic leadership recyclability to 90 percent by its goal. The burgeoning ocean plastics • on new policies. They are only as 2020. Still, some kind of common problem seems likely to amp up Reprinted from Resource strong as their most timid mem- platform is needed for industry the pressure on brands as well, Recycling, www.resource-recy- ber, meaning obtaining consen- groups to work together if there with a recent report estimating cling.com, February 10, 2016. sus for bold commitments can be is serious interest in jointly meet- that if no action is taken, plastic next to impossible. CalRecycle ing the challenge. will exceed fish in the ocean by might have fared better by invit- The rollout of North America’s weight by 2050. Improving recy- ing global brand leaders, such first fully industry-funded pack- cling systems will reduce ocean as Unilever and P&G, that have aging recycling program in British loadings. made public commitments to in- Columbia is being closely watched crease recycling and recyclability The embarrassing failure by the and its success could convince of packaging. Unilever is commit- industry to present a credible some brands to support a Califor- ted to increasing recycling of plan to regulators suggests nia version if it’s designed to

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RECYCLING: PUSH AND PULL OVER PACKAGING PLAN IN CALIFORNIA BY BOBBY ELLIOTT, PLASTICS RECYCLING UPDATE

Packaging stakeholders met She reiterated, however, that Cal- 2020 targets. The state’s 75 per- earlier this month in California to Recycle believes a “comprehen- cent recycling rate goal does not present on how they’re helping sive” strategy from packaging consider energy recovery as recy- the state recover more plastics stakeholders must be laid out in cling. as it aims to drastically cut pack- order for a voluntary approach to “You can’t look at recovery in iso- aging disposal and drive recy- succeed. She said the state has lation,” Fisher said. “One of our cling activities. not yet concluded whether that recommendations as an industry strategy was delivered during the Organized by the California De- was that we would encourage January meeting. partment of Resources Recycling them to look at an energy recov- THE JAN. 5 and Recovery (CalRecycle) as “The reason why we’re looking ery strategy that complements, MEETING part of the state’s Manufacturers for something that’s comprehen- but does not replace, recycling.” Challenge, the Jan. 5 meeting sive is because that’s what it’s DREW STRONG Fisher said the state, however, drew strong attendance from going to take,” Dunn said. ATTENDANCE “has made it clear, up until this industry groups, Cynthia Dunn, “That’s how the meeting was FROM INDUSTRY point, they’re not interested in the meeting’s organizer, told framed and whether or not it was exploring energy recovery.” GROUPS. Plastics Recycling Update. comprehensive is something we’re kind of taking a step back According to CalRecycle spokes- “Almost all of the organizations and assessing at this time.” person Mark Oldfield, the state’s we invited participated, and goals for 2020 are reachable that’s something we had hoped Kyla Fisher, an industry consult- without energy recovery. would happen regardless of what ant who presented for industry happens afterwards,” said Dunn, group American Institute for “There is a firm belief it’s reach- a staffer in CalRecycle’s Materials Packaging and the Environment able, but that doesn’t mean it’s Management and Local Assis- during the day-long event, said going to be easy,” Oldfield said. tance Division. the overall atmosphere was “very “We recognize there are some positive” and that it was clear significant challenges—we need California is working toward two producers were taking part in more organics processing infra- primary recycling goals for 2020 “incredibly innovative” projects structure just like we need more —cutting packaging disposal in both in California and throughout infrastructure to process and half and recycling 75 percent of the country. re-manufacture using plastics the overall waste stream—and and various other materials. But state officials have made it clear “I think everybody at that table at the same time, it’s ultimately they want packaging stakehold- was really there to say, ‘These going to be a partnership between ers to be part of the solution. are the projects that we’re work- the state, between the industry, ing on in terms of addressing the According to Dunn, the purpose between the manufacturers, challenges in the recovery sys- of the meeting earlier this month between local governments, to tem.’ And I think it was well- was to hear what producers can make all of this work.” received by CalRecycle,” • do to help the state reach those Fisher said. Reprinted from Resource goals on a voluntary basis. While Recycling, www.resource-recy- CalRecycle has in the past recom- She added she thinks it’s also cling.com, January 27, 2016. mended a mandatory approach important to look at recovery for packaging, Dunn said “we've “from a holistic standpoint,” decided to step back and explore including energy recovery, when this voluntary approach.” it comes to meeting the state’s 13 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: ECONOMY TOOK STEAM OUT OF GAS PRODUCTION, SO AGILYX RETOOLS BY ALLAN BRETTMAN, THE OREGONIAN/OREGON LIVE

Four years after Agilyx Corp. While he won’t venture a guess In time, Agilyx expects to collect was founded with the goal of as to when petroleum prices will plastics through trash haulers. recycling waste plastic into return to a level that will make But the company is interested in petroleum, gas at Portland-area Agilyx’ conversion process prof- getting the type of plastics that pumps was sitting at $4.30 a itable, he did say the company is typically go in the trash can now, gallon. That was mid-2008, and confident enough that gas prices instead of recycling bins: Styro- the Tigard company had every will eventually rise again that it foam packaging, packaging AGILYX SHIFTS reason to believe it was onto has long-term plans to open a trays for meat products and FROM PETROLEUM something big. second plant for plastics-to- some other food packaging, petroleum conversion in the for example. But gas prices have plunged in TO STYRENE. Philadelphia area. However, the years since, taking Agilyx’s The Tigard plant has 25 workers, having just recently obtained business plan with them. down from at least double that regulatory permits for the plant, toward the end of 2011. At that The low price of petroleum has company officials haven’t time the company envisioned cut deeply into energy-depen- decided when construction on more rapid expansion, including dent industries, from oil explo- that plant would begin—citing the addition of three more con- ration and drilling to the the precarious state of the oil version plants—not just the one companies that make large- industry. slated for the Philadelphia area. diameter pipe. Agilyx has not What the company isn’t doing is been immune. Patten, a one-time executive closing up shop. Instead, it will with Browning Ferris Industries As of Sunday, the company will retool its machinery to turn in Texas, arrived the following begin the process of shutting plastics into the styrene, which year. He replaced former chief down its plastic-to-petroleum can be sold to companies that executive Chris Ulum. process. Before the shutdown, produce polystyrene—often used the company produced and sold as a packing material. The privately held Agilyx last more than 800,000 gallons of oil. reported a round of venture capi- To do this, the company will be tal toward the end of 2011—$25 But by this summer, Agilyx plans starting with recyclable plastics million from a group of current to have retooled its machinery that contain polystyrene. In the investors and a new one, Keating to begin creating something early going, it anticipates collect- Capital Inc., a Colorado company else entirely. ing a sufficient volume from com- that takes stakes in businesses panies in the area that previously “We’re not giving up on plastic to expected to go public. had been disposing the material oil,” said chief executive Ross (Continued, see Agilyx, page 15) Patten. “But right now the eco- into landfill, Patten said. nomic conditions of the oil indus- try don’t allow us to go forward.”

14 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

AGILYX RETOOLS [CONT’D]

Patten, who recently led a tour of However, he said the company Patten said Agilyx has lined up Patten said, “Because that’s a the Agilyx’ plant for government has raised additional money customers to purchase the product we can convert into a leaders, said Agilyx for now has since 2011 through individual styrene the company will be product that can be more shelved any thought of going investors, including Sir Richard producing this year, though he profitable.” • public. Branson, the celebrity owner of declined to name any, saying Reprinted from www.oregonlive. Virgin Airways. Patten said contracts had not been finalized. But that does remain a longer- com, February 21, 2016. Branson is an environmentalist term goal. “That is something the “We know our technology has who became interested in Agilyx board has discussed in the past,” other applications and that’s why through the advice of someone in he said. “The board is working we’re converting to styrene,” the airline industry because of toward that.” the prospect of transforming trash into jet fuel.

www.hudsonsharp.com

15 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: FOAM RECYCLING COALITION OPENS 2016 CALL FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS BY LYNN DYER, FOODSERVICE PACKAGING INSTITUTE

The Foam Recycling Coalition facilities are eligible to apply for also must commit to collecting, has started the 2016 application funding. Available to both public processing and marketing foam period for its annual grant pro- and private organizations, each polystyrene for a minimum of gram to support increased recy- grant will range from about three years, which includes cling of packaging made from $15,000 to $50,000. reporting on the volumes to FRC. foam polystyrene. The FRC, part This initiative helps fund infra- The Foam Recycling Coalition of the Foodservice Packaging In- structure for the collection, was formed in 2014 to focus stitute, seeks applicants looking GRANT PROGRAM processing and marketing of exclusively on recycling food - to start or strengthen a post- HELPS FUND products made from foam poly- service packaging made from consumer foam polystyrene styrene. It targets post-consumer foam. Its members include Amer- FOAM POLY- recycling program. STYRENE foam polystyrene products, such icas Styrenics; Cascades Canada “Launched last year, the Foam as foodservice packaging (i.e., ULC; CKF Inc.; Chick-fil-A; Com- RECYCLING Recycling Coalition’s grant pro- cups, plates, bowls, clamshells, modore; Convermex; Dart Con- EQUIPMENT. gram has already given away cafeteria trays); and other types tainer Corp.; Dolco Packaging, almost $100,000,” said Lynn of packaging, like egg cartons; A Tekni-Plex Company; Dyne-A- Dyer, president of the Foodser- meat trays; and protective pack- Pak; Genpak; Hawaii Foam vice Packaging Institute. “With aging (used when shipping elec- Products; NOVA Chemicals Corp.; greater end-market demand for tronics and other fragile items). Pactiv Foodservice/Food Packag- foam polystyrene equipment and ing; Shell Chemical LP; Styrolu- Grant amounts will be determined handling, our funding program tion America; and TOTAL Petro - on a case-by-case basis depend- helps recycling facilities include chemicals & Refining USA. ent upon equipment needs. No foam polystyrene in their accepted Additional financial support of cash match is required, but addi- recycling materials.” the coalition comes from the EPS tional costs may be incurred by Industry Alliance. Last year’s grantees, Denver’s the grantee for related items Alpine Waste & Recycling and such as site preparation, provi- Application deadline is April 10, Colchester County, Nova Scotia, sion of conveying system, electri- 2016. The first 2016 grant recipi- were awarded grants to purchase cal infrastructure, freight and ent will be announced in late equipment that provides foam other installation costs. spring. polystyrene recycling services to Grantees are required to commu- Further information and grant their communities. A third grantee nicate the addition of foam application are available at announcement is imminent. polystyrene to their recycling www.fpi.org/recyclefoam. • Organizations involved in manag- program, both directly to house- Press release reprinted from ing residential curbside recycling holds and in their regular com- Foodservice Packaging Institute, programs or material recovery munication materials. Grantees February 25, 2016.

16 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: RIGID PLASTICS RECYCLING SURGES 27%; FILM RECYCLING GROWS 3% BY JENNIFER KILLINGER, AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL

The recycling of post-consumer The rigid plastics category con- rate for film has grown from 6.6 rigid plastics surged 276 million tains food containers, caps, lids, percent to 17 percent of produc- pounds, or 27 percent, in 2014 tubs, clamshells, cups and bulky tion during the same period. to reach a new high of over 1.28 items, such as buckets, carts and The plastic film category includes billion pounds for the year, ac- lawn furniture, along with used commercial film packaging, a cording to a report released commercial scrap, such as crates, variety of consumer wraps and today at the 2016 Plastics Recy- battery casings and drums. Typi- bags—all made primarily from cling Conference. The 2014 Na- cal end markets for these materi- THE REPORTED thin, flexible sheets of polyethyl- tional Postconsumer Non-Bottle als include automotive parts, VOLUME OF ene. Of the film collected for Rigid Report crates, buckets, pipe, lawn and recycling in 2014, approximately RECYCLED RIGID [click here] also indicated that garden products, and thick-walled 45 percent was processed in the PLASTICS IS the reported volume of recycled injection molded products. U.S. or Canada with the remain- rigid plastics—tracked sepa- NOW FOUR As in prior years, der going primarily to China. rately from bottles or film—is TIMES GREATER and high-density polyethylene now four times greater than the Primary uses for recycled plastic THAN THE comprised the two largest resins volume reported in just 2007. film include composite lumber, in this category, representing VOLUME new film and sheet, agricultural “This is really exciting news,” 38.3 percent and 34.1 percent, REPORTED IN products, crates, buckets, and said Steve Russell, vice president respectively. pallets. JUST 2007. of plastics for the American Approximately 64 percent of the Chemistry Council. “The combi- “We’re pleased to see growth in 1.28 billion pounds of rigid plas- nation of more advanced sorting these important areas of plastics tics collected for recycling was technologies coupled with ex- recycling,” said Patty Moore, processed in the U.S. or Canada, panded consumer access is mak- president of Moore Recycling. down slightly from 2013. The re- ing a positive difference.” “Continued expansion of a mainder was exported overseas. healthy sorting and processing Moore Recycling Associates Inc., A separate report also released infrastructure, and further devel- which authored the report, attrib- today found a minimum of 1.17 opment of end markets for recy- utes much of the strong gain to a billion pounds of postconsumer cled materials are essential for rebound from the 2013 Green plastic film was recycled in 2014, building on recent gains.” Fence effort in China, improved an increase of over 29 million bale quality, and growing stan- Information on tracking the recy- pounds, or 3 percent, from the dardization of plastics bales— cling of plastic bottles is docu- prior year. The 2014 National the unit by which post-use mented annually in a third series Postconsumer Plastic Bag and plastics are sold after collection. of reports. The 25th Annual Film Recycling Report, [click here] National Post-Consumer Plastics The source of non-bottle rigid also authored by Moore Recy- Bottle Recycling Report with plastics collected with the cling, marks the tenth consecu- results from 2014 [click here] was biggest increase in 2014 was tive year of the report, and a 79 released in November 2015. the Pre-Picked Bale, which is percent increase in plastic film • generated from municipal pro- recycling since 2005. Based on Press release reprinted from grams and contains a mixture of data from the U.S. Environmental American Chemistry Council, products with bottles removed. Protection Agency, the recycling February 2, 2016.

17 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: HOW TO IMPROVE THE RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE BY STEVE ALEXANDER (APR) AND NINA GOODRICH (SPC)

The SPI Resin Identification Code added value will lend continued determine if their package con- (RIC), now the property of ASTM, support to plastics recycling as a tributes to contamination in the an international standards organ- thriving industry. recycle stream. ization, was created in 1988 to Recyclers find the RIC an The RIC has led to some con- help recycling stakeholders know extremely effective tool in iden - sumer confusion as well. Many which plastic was being used for tifying the resin used to make consumers do not understand containers. Required on certain the primary part of an item, such what the numbers mean and containers in 39 states in the as a bottle. Although automation mistakenly associate them with U.S., the RIC names six resins THE RIC IS AN helps in sorting, recyclers rely on recycled content and recyclabil- without defining them and the code for training and final ity. There are better tools to EDUCATION provides a seventh number for decision-making. It is particularly educate consumers, including all others. TOOL ON useful for developing markets the SPC’s How2Recycle label. MANY LEVELS. Over the years the self-policing and determining the composition Municipalities have made recent policy has worked well, but as of new product innovations. moves to add language and the industry has grown, impor- graphics to further explain the Difficult for brand owners tant questions have been raised types of containers their recy- Consumer brand companies about the system. cling programs accept, but they often find the RIC challenging. often also use the RIC to help The Association of Plastic Recy- Many brands strive for a specific consumers understand what clers has proposed a ballot number and create material they can recycle. (D7611M-13) for ASTM considera- blends that might be predomi- tion that will help answer some nantly one material. The RIC is not intended to of those questions. It defines declare recyclability or the However, the blend may have an items with the same code num- presence of recycled content. It impact on the recyclability of the ber as those made of materials is not a “recycling code,” but it product. Some have pushed the that have similar chemistry and is relied on by recyclers to under- limits of the system by using a manufacturing processing char- stand what the material is and code for the predominant mate- acteristics, as well as perform- how it will behave in reclamation. rial, but at the same time they ance properties, but colors are It is an education tool on will add additional materials not included. many levels. that can significantly change Along with this definition, APR the behavior of the container in The 28-year-old code is being recommends a mechanism to reclamation and reuse. These considered for updating by add numbers and some exam- hybrids can cause contamination ASTM. APR’s suggestions for this ples of proper use. Through this of the recycling stream. “The APR update are detailed below: proposal, plastics with the same Design Guide for Plastics Recy- (Continued, see Resin, page 19) number have more value than a clability” provides excellent mix of unrelated plastics. This guidance to help companies

18 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODE [CONT’D]

• PET (No. 1), the resin used for in blends. The proposed revision ment. The No. 7-coded items to be a valuable and reliable carbonated soft drinks and single recognizes the common use of do need to be modified to help resource. It is also imperative use water bottles, comes from a blends, and allows small percent- create a better understanding to recognize that the RIC does family of plastics. Not ages of other polyolefins to be of what the materials are. not stand alone. It should be all polyester plastics are compat- present with HDPE for No. 2, supplemented with other tools The plastics recycling industry ible with PET in terms of process- LDPE for No. 4 and PP for No. 5. when used as an educational must be actively engaged in the ing and performance. The resource. • The No. 7 category is a catch-all development of these standards. • proposed revision better defines used for all Nos. 1-6 plastics that The RIC is an important tool for Reprinted from Resource PET on the basis of chemistry contain a layer of other materials, reclaimers, municipalities, con- Recycling, www.resource-recy- and melting characteristics. plastics that do not fall into the sumer brand companies and cling.com, February 24, 2016 • The polyolefin plastics, HDPE, No. 1 through No. 6 range, blends, others involved in the industry. LDPE and polypropylene (PP) as or structures with integral metal Continuous improvement must defined by ASTM, are often used parts, such as metal reinforce- be ensured so that it continues

APR PROPOSES BALLOT (D7611M-13) FOR ASTM CONSIDERATION BY APR AND ASTM

This revision of D7611M-13, authorized as WK52452, provides more specific definitions for the resin identification code categories based on common criteria, examples of code assignment, and a process for adding additional code numbers. The work represents input from many sources including ASTM D20.95 members, postconsumer plastics recyclers, sorting plant operators, brand companies, testing laboratories, resin producers, sheet and molding converters, and two trade associations, the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) and the National Association of PET Container Resources (NAPCOR). In addition, these recommendations have been shared with the American Chemistry Council, the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC). A key intention is for codes on manufactured plastic items to convey basic information about the plastic resin or resins used to make the item. This information is useful for the subsequent processing of the items but does not imply recycling is being done or that the item is recyclable. Similarly, the code does not imply an item is not recyclable solely by the code assigned. The revision here presented contains the following changes to the existing ASTM D7611 standard, which is a mild revision of the original resin identification code created by the Society of the Plastics Industry, SPI, in 1988. • Reprinted from www.plasticsrecycling.org, February 2016. Click here to read the full document.

19 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RECYCLING: RESIN PRICING WEATHERS STORMY MARKETS IN EARLY 2016 BY KATHY HALL, PETROCHEM WIRE

It's only March but the monomer felt in the wide-spec and offgrade which on a cents per pound markets have already had a markets, where offers dropped equivalent was 5.5-6.5 cpp. So tumultuous year. into the 40s cpp range for nearly even at its historic low price of all grades of PE. 15.5 cpp in January, ethylene was Spot ethylene sellers ended 2015 still enjoying a 9-10 cpp margin on edge as prices ducked below Around mid-February, ethylene on these remarkably stable (and the 20 cents per pound level for started to see heavy trading low) costs. the first time since 2009. With volumes in the spot market, PROPYLENE WAS plant operating rates at nearly perhaps inspired by inventory Propylene was not quite as NOT QUITE AS 100% and no signs of a demand building ahead of turnarounds volatile as ethylene but this VOLATILE AS surge from polyethylene, ethyl- scheduled to begin in March. market had its moments during ETHYLENE BUT ene prices continued to lose Prices moved above 20 cpp and the first quarter as well. ground in the first few weeks as March began, the bullish run Monomer suppliers, who have THIS MARKET of 2016, reaching 15.5 cpp by continued with prices reaching become accustomed to prices HAD ITS Jan 20. Crude oil also reached nearly 25 cpp. A 10 cpp increase generally running more than 10 a multi-year low on that day, in six weeks is the epitome of MOMENTS. cpp above ethylene, waited for at $26.55/bbl. volatility—on a crude oil the startup of Dow’s new on-pur- equivalent, this would be a Polyethylene prices also saw pose propylene plant at the end $20/bbl move. some effect from the ethylene of 2015 and braced for a drop in slide as some suppliers dropped The return of Asian demand in prices as its new supply hit the their monthly pricing by 3 cpp the international market also lent market. A series of process is- and spot market sellers fled the to more upward momentum for sues kept the plant at Freeport, market. This kept HDPE prices spot PE prices and domestic Texas from successfully starting in the low 40s cpp range in the suppliers issued fresh price up until the end of January, and Houston area and in the low 50s increases for March contracts. grade propylene prices cpp on a delivered basis, while Generic prime HDPE blow mold stayed in the 28-29.5 cpp range. generic prime LDPE liner was in pricing rose to upper 40s cpp Polypropylene producers stood the upper 50s cpp on a delivered range in Houston and stayed by their efforts to raise January basis and LDPE frac melt grades above the 50 cpp for most HDPE pricing by 6 cpp. Spot HoPP was were above 60 cpp. grades. Even offgrade prices in the mid-50s cpp range in the moved higher and general avail- Houston area and well above 60 By the end of January, ethylene ability was described as tighter cpp on a delivered basis to most prices had recovered to 18-19 after several weeks of aggressive domestic zones. cpp and crude climbed back to export selling. $33/bbl. Monthly PE contracts The Dow plant, the nation’s were down 3 cpp from most What has remained fairly con- second on-purpose propylene suppliers and a February notice stant for the makers of ethylene plant, began February operating to increase prices by 5 cpp was and PE is the cost of production. well and prices began to soften, rescinded. Spot PE prices remained Ethane has largely stayed in the dropping to 27 cpp by Feb 11 and intact but the fallout was really 14-16 cents per gallon range, (Continued, see Pricing, page 21)

20 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

RESIN PRICING WEATHERS MARKETS [CONT’D] staying at that level for a solid aggressive spot market selling. Because propylene monomer currently 18.5 cpp. Propane week with few spot trades even Spot HoPP inj and raffia prices in the US is produced by two dis- prices are currently 10 cpp. Either seen as most players stayed on dropped to the low 50s cpp tinct processes that use different way, costs have been relatively the sidelines and watched for range in the Houston area and raw materials, margins are no stable (and cheap) for polymer directional clues. While the rest slightly below 60 cpp delivered longer uniform. Polymer grade grade propylene monomer pro- of the propylene-producing units to other domestic areas. As a propylene that is produced using ducers, regardless of the volatil- operated well, the other on-pur- relatively high-cost producer, the the more widespread and tradi- ity they have seen this year in the pose propylene plant, a PDH unit US has not had meaningful tional method of “splitting” up- propylene and polypropylene in Houston operated by Flint Hills export opportunities in some grades a raw form of propylene markets. • Resources shut on Feb 20 for time. Import offers for HoPP called refinery grade propylene, Reprinted from Market Price some planned maintenance. coming into the US at 42-48 cpp increasing its purity from 65-70% Review, PetroChem Wire, March Propylene prices immediately CIF US port created even more pure propylene to 99.4% for use 2016. reacted and steadily rose to availability for the resin. Domes- at polypropylene plants. The 29 cpp by early March. tic resin suppliers opted to post- other method, used by the Dow pone a February price increase and Flint Hills plants, uses After successfully implementing until March or April, and specula- propane and processes it to their 6 cpp increase in January, tive concerns about flagging become the same high-purity however, increasing local PP automotive demand for PP polymer grade propylene. Refin- inventories inspired some more began emerging. ery grade propylene prices are

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21 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

SUSTAINABILITY: SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS OF PERSONAL CARE PACKAGING BY BOB LILIENFELD, AMERIPEN

Shampoo & conditioner. Cosmet- Packaging thus plays an impor- ABOUT AMERIPEN ics. Toothpaste, soap & body tant role in guaranteeing that AMERIPEN advocates for packag- wash. Americans spend $50 consumers get full value for their ing policy advancement in North billion annually for beauty and personal care investments.” America and focuses on measures personal care products. People Not only does the brochure that are environmentally and invest a lot in them because they explain these benefits in easy-to- economically sound, as well as expect a lot from them. understand detail, it also helps socially responsible. The organi- AMERIPEN’s new brochure, enti- consumers make sustainable zation, with a science-based, material-neutral approach, THE BROCHURE tled “Personal Care Packaging: decisions about packaging once encourages informed decision- EXPLAINS THE Safety, Convenience & Sustain- it has fulfilled its product delivery ability,” explores the benefits functions. The recommendations making on packaging and the BENEFITS OF of the packaging used to protect include guidance about recycling, environment by policy makers SUSTAINABLE personal care and beauty prod- buying the right size for the right and thought leaders. AMERIPEN PACKAGING. ucts, and materials used in the occasion, and purchasing refill- welcomes companies that production of these containers. able systems for items like liquid support the philosophy of a soap, shampoo, and conditioner. collaborative trade and industry According to Jeff Wooster, Presi- organization, active and coopera- dent of AMERIPEN, “Personal The brochure is available from tive issue resolution, and mate- care packaging keeps products Ameripen—click here. rial and packaging system fresh and safe, makes them easy neutrality. to use, and educates consumers about how to get the most satis- More information is available at faction from their purchases. www.AMERIPEN.org. • Press release reprinted from Ameripen, January 13, 2016.

22 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

SUSTAINABILITY: APPLYING CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRINCIPLES TO GLOBAL PLASTIC PACKAGING FLOWS BY SUSTAINABLE BRANDS

“The New Plastics Economy: Foundation (EMF), with analytical natural systems, and decoupling Rethinking the Future of support from McKinsey & Company, plastics from fossil feedstocks. Plastics” outlines how applying as part of Project MainStream. It calls for major collaboration circular economy principles to The organizations claim that they efforts between stakeholders, global plastic packaging flows conducted the first comprehen- perhaps through an independent could unlock more economic sive assessment of global plastic coordinating vehicle that can value from plastic packaging packaging flows for the report, to set direction, establish common THE REPORT materials and reduce negative accurately outline the changes standards and systems, and CHALLENGES externalities. The report provides that need to be made. They foster innovation opportunities a fact-base to inform the choices found some staggering numbers, at scale. • DECISION- that need to be made, and chal- such as that 32 percent of plastic To view the full paper, click here. MAKERS TO lenges decision-makers to packaging escapes collection RETHINK THE rethink the future of plastics, systems. The United Nations Reprinted from www.sustainable- FUTURE OF in hopes of overcoming “the Environment Program(UNEP) brands.com, January 19, 2016. PLASTICS. limitations of today’s incremental has conservatively estimated the improvements and fragmented cost of such after-use externali- initiatives, to create a shared ties for plastic packaging, plus sense of direction, to spark a the cost associated with green- wave of innovation and to move house gas emissions from its the plastics value chain into a production, at $40 billion annu- positive spiral of value capture, ally—a cost great than the plas- stronger economics, and better tic packaging industry’s profits. environmental outcomes.” The vision captured in the report The report was produced by involves creating after-use path- the World Economic Forum ways for plastics, drastically (WEF) and Ellen MacArthur reducing leakage of plastics into

23 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

SUSTAINABILITY: THE NEW PLASTICS ECONOMY: RETHINKING THE FUTURE OF PLASTICS BY WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

The circular economy is gaining aiming to achieve drastically For the three institutions that growing attention as a potential better economic and environ- have launched the MainStream way for our society to increase mental outcomes. It proposes a initiative, this report is an prosperity, while reducing de- new approach and action plan to encouragement to continue to mands on finite raw materials get there. foster cross-industry collabora- and minimizing negative exter- tion as a major avenue to accel- The report’s objective is not to nalities. Such a transition re- erate the transition to the much- provide final answers or recom- quires a systemic approach, needed circular economy. We THE REPORT mendations. Rather, it aims to which entails moving beyond in- hope you find this report inform- AIMS TO BRING bring together for the first time a cremental improvements to the ative and useful. We invite you comprehensive global perspec- TOGETHER A existing model as well as devel- to engage with us on this timely tive of the broader plastic pack- COMPREHENSIVE oping new collaboration mecha- opportunity. aging economy, present a vision • nisms. GLOBAL and propose a roadmap as well Preface reprinted from Resource PERSPECTIVE OF The report explores the intersec- as a vehicle for progressing this Recycling, www.resource-recy- THE BROADER tion of these two themes, for roadmap, and providing a much- cling. com, November 10, 2015. PLASTIC plastics and plastic packaging in needed global focal point to carry this agenda forward. This PACKAGING particular: how can collaboration along the extended global plastic report also identifies a number of ECONOMY. packaging production and after- significant knowledge gaps and use value chain, as well as with open questions that need to be governments and NGOs, achieve further explored. systemic change to overcome This report is the product of stalemates in today’s plastics Project MainStream, an initiative economy in order to move to a that leverages the convening more circular model? power of the World Economic The New Plastics Economy aims Forum, the circular economy to set an initial direction and innovation capabilities of the An extended version of this contribute to the evidence base Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and report, with additional chapters by synthesizing information from the analytical capabilities of and appendices, can be found across many dispersed sources. McKinsey & Company. We are on the website of the Ellen grateful to our numerous part- MacArthur Foundation: click It assesses the benefits and ners and advisors for their in- here. drawbacks of plastic packaging sights and support throughout today, and makes the case for this project, and the Project rethinking the current plastics MainStream Steering Board for economy. It lays out the ambi- their continued collaboration on tions and benefits of the New the transition towards a circular Plastics Economy—a system economy.

24 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

SUSTAINABILITY: CAN WE SOLVE THE FLEXIBLE FILM RECOVERY PUZZLE? BY ANNA MARIE MOHAN, PACKAGING WORLD

Industry groups have begun recovery and moving toward fea- Currently there are no systems looking at strategies to develop sible solutions have become a in the U.S. to collect and recover multilayer flexible film recovery priority, especially as the use of multilayer flexible films. To put systems. But can they overcome flexible packaging grows. such systems in place will involve the challenges that exist in every solving technical and commercial According to a 2015 report step of the process? challenges at every stage of the from PMMI, The Association for process—collection, sorting, and Multilayer, mixed-material flexi- Packaging and Processing Tech- end markets—with the develop- ble film packaging is a sustain- nologies, “The unique benefits of ment of each depending on the ability conundrum. Lighter in flexible packaging have made it THE MARKET IS success of the others. EXPECTED TO weight, using less material, and the second largest packaging resulting in fewer greenhouse segment in the U.S. [representing Drivers of change CONTINUE TO gas emissions than alternative 19% of the total $164 billion While it is true flexible films EXPAND AT A packaging formats such as glass, packaging market]. The format represent a large chunk of the HEALTHY RATE aluminum, and rigid plastic, has grown considerably in popu- packaging materials market, INTO THE flexibles seem like the most eco- larity over the last decade and their percentage of landfill waste FUTURE. friendly packaging choice. But, has continued to take market does not: multi-material laminates unlike glass, aluminum, and rigid share in the packaging industry.” accounted for just 1.6% of the plastic, mixed-material flexible It adds that while this growth total municipal waste stream in film* cannot be recovered at end may be starting to plateau, the 2012, according to the Flexible of life. market is expected to continue to Packaging Assn. Even though expand at a healthy rate into the this number has increased since *Note: For the purposes of this future. (Source: PMMI 2015 Flexi- then and will continue to grow as article, “flexible film” or “flexible ble Packaging Market Assess- the market expands, there are packaging” will be used to de- ment Report.) other pressing reasons why the scribe multilayer, mixed-material packaging industry is taking film—used for packaging such Consulting firm Freedonia esti- on the challenge of flexible as stand-up pouches for snacks, mates in its 2015 study, “Con- film recovery. petfood, beverages, frozen meals, verted Flexible Packaging,” that and other products—versus demand for mixed-material film Alan Blake, Executive Director single-layer PE film. packaging will rise 3.3% annually of PAC Next, a part of Canadian through 2019, to $20.7 billion, association PAC, Packaging For some sustainability diehards, due to the cost and performance Consortium, that was founded to the fact that the only place for advantages of lightweight bags create a vision of “A World With- multilayer flexibles at the end of and pouches. In addition, it says out Packaging Waste,” says the their use is the landfill is a deal- that “converted flexible packag- group initially became interested breaker—despite all of their ing’s source reduction, space in finding ways to recover flexible sustainability advantages. For savings, and lower production films due to Canada’s Extended the those companies that supply and transportation costs…will Producer Responsibility laws. and use this material, however, drive further conversions from Under EPR requirements, all understanding the challenges rigid to flexible formats.” (Continued, see Puzzle, page 26) associated with flexible film

25 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

FLEXIBLE FILM PUZZLE [CONT’D] stakeholders pay a fee based on lenges that other materials don’t programs. Currently, there are Ultimately, the collection system the quantity of packaging materi- have to the same extent.” 18,000 locations across the U.S. adopted for flexible packaging als they put into the market. PAC that collect PE films. In 2013, 1.14 will depend on the development Consumer pressure is definitely NEXT’s Multi-Layer Laminated billion lb of PE film were recov- of MRF sorting systems. “If MRFs also a driver, he adds: “Con- Films & Bags project is focused ered for recycling, according to had technology to adequately sumers don’t like to see packag- on initiating and completing a the “2013 National Postconsumer separate bags and not have pro- ing going into the landfill, and pilot to recycle post-consumer Plastic Bag & Film Recycling cessing problems, then the mate- neither do we.” recycled multilayer laminated Report,” from ACC. rial wouldn’t be a contaminate, film from a Municipal Recycling One of the projects Dow is it would be a raw material,” Blake says adding multilayer Facility (MRF). involved with is Materials Recov- Wooster says. “If we can imple- flexible films to the materials ery for the Future, an initiative ment technology that makes “Given EPR, there’s this pressure collected through store drop-off of the Research Foundation more of the things already in the to see what can be done to avoid systems is one option. “If you for Health and Environmental bin into raw materials, we can materials going to landfill and could get those materials to- Effects, established by the Ameri- ask for even more materials to what can be done to find solu- gether, then they are relatively can Chemistry Council. The proj- be put into the bin. Then we can tions,” Blake says. “People easy to sort because of weight ect has brought together brand have a system with higher recov- become a bit emotional when and density,” he says. “The owners, manufacturers, and ery rates.” they start seeing increasing plastic bags will just sort of float packaging industry organizations levels of materials going into the away. You could skim them off.” Sorting: technology available, interested in creating recovery waste stream that are non-recy- but costly solutions for flexible packaging. However, he believes retail clable, such as multilayer, mixed- Sorting technology for flexible Its first goal is to study the move- stores are somewhat reluctant plastic laminates.” films does exist—at a significant ment of films and flexible plastic to expand these programs due cost. The challenge is finding the Jeff Wooster, Global Sustainabil- packaging at U.S. MRFs. to fears about contamination and most efficient systems and mak- ity Director of Dow Packaging dirt. “Retailers are concerned “Our motivation for this is to ing them financially viable for and Specialty Plastics, which is about people bringing all this close the resource loop and MRFs. In order for MRFs to make involved in many initiatives stuff to their front-of-store; they make sure that our materials the investment, there needs to around flexible film recovery, don’t want it to turn into a continue to deliver value for as be enough material collected, explains the growth in interest garbage dump,” he says. “You’d long as they can,” Wooster says. and viable end markets must in flexible film recovery this way: have to make a bigger effort in “We know it’s of great interest to be developed for the recovered “The development of the recy- terms of defining areas where companies, NGOs, and well-in- material. cling infrastructure for any mate- the material could be brought, formed consumers to try to rial follows the introduction of making it clear to consumers, According to Blake, even if the recover the value of their materi- that material and its growth to and keeping it clean.” challenges of collection are over- als instead of putting them into a scale where it makes sense come, it will still take a lot of a landfill.” With current single-stream curb- to invest in a recycling infra - material to make sorting it side collection in the U.S., con- structure.” Collection: curbside or store worthwhile. “The recycling sumers often mistakenly throw drop-off? industry works on weight,” he For example, he says, when flexible films into the bin, believ- The first step in any packaging explains. “To make a bale of flex- aluminum cans and PET bottles ing that they are—or should be— materials recovery system is its ible laminates, you need a ton of were first introduced, they were recyclable. Once in a MRF sorting collection from consumers. Sin- material. Just fathom this: To cre- not recycled. But as the markets system, the two-dimensional gle-stream curbside collection is ate a bale of rigids—and these for these materials grew, recy- flexible films play havoc with the available in many municipalities are just approximate numbers— cling followed. “With flexible MRF’s mechanical systems. “The for a range of materials, includ- you need 10,000 containers. packaging, because it’s more material wraps around screens ing PET, glass, aluminum, paper, Since laminates weigh 80-per- difficult to mechanically recycle and other rotating equipment, it and cartons. Single-layer poly- cent to 90-percent less than rigid and because the weight of each gets caught in places it’s not sup- ethylene bags, such as grocery, containers, you would need ap- individual package is much lower posed to be, and it contaminates newspaper, and dry cleaning proximately 100,000 multilayer than it is for other materials, the paper stream,” explains bags, are also collected for recy- flexible laminates to make up there are some additional chal- Wooster. cling through store drop-off (Continued, see Puzzle, page 27)

26 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

FLEXIBLE FILM PUZZLE [CONT’D] that same bale, to achieve that As Wooster explains, MRFs use sort of thing that could help iden- from Zzyzx and Green- same weight.” modern optical sorters based tify flexible films,” says Blake. able Technology. As Blake on infrared technology that can “Then, using a sort of optical explains, the extrusion-like tech- In terms of end markets, because identify the composition of the sorting air-blowing collection nologies allow PCR laminates to flexible films comprise a mix of polymer types to sort 3D HDPE system, the materials could be be reprocessed as is or as blends polymers, there are currently no and PET bottles. “It’s not in use shot into a recovery system.” with virgin materials. commercial uses for the recov- for plastic films or flexible pack- ered material. Said Nadine Kerr, End-use markets: a range of Zzyzx uses solid-state sheer aging, however, but there are a Acting Manager of Processing opportunities pulverization technology to com- few facilities that use this type Operations for the city of Toronto The development of end-use patibilize resins and reduce and of equipment to sort paper,” in a webinar sponsored by PAC markets for recovered flexible disperse contaminants. The end he says. Next, “Even when flexible film films is really the linchpin upon product is pellets that can be packaging is sent to a processor, The hope is that the technology which the rest of the recovery used in injection molding and it is difficult to recycle. Recycling used to sort paper can be em- system depends. to create is complicated, and it can yield a ployed to separate out flexible new films. One possible end market is plastic with poor physical proper- films. “Paper is a two-dimen- energy recovery. This includes Equipment supplier Greenable ties because it contains a variety sional object when it goes technologies such as: has developed a range of com- of materials and is often contam- through the MRF, whereas a bot- pounding extruder machines inated with food.” tle is a three-dimensional object, • Gasification, which converts engineered to reprocess PCR so there’s quite a bit of handling feedstock into clean, synthetic Before tackling the development laminated film, which can be and processing differences fuel gas that can be used to of end markets, however, the used to manufacture products between the two,” Wooster says. generate electricity. Materials Recovery for the Future such as dimensional lumber. “Flexible packaging and films project is first trying to determine • Engineered solid fuels, in though are two-dimensional like PAC Next has done pilot work how flexible materials can be which plastics and other waste paper, so our hypothesis is that with both companies, but the sorted. Dow initiated the project is turned into fuel pellets to we’ll be able to use the sorting biggest challenge has been by commissioning Resource generate power. equipment that’s currently used collecting enough materials to Recovery Systems to conduct a • Pyrolysis, a technology that for paper to sort the flexible film run larger-scale trials. study to understand what it transforms plastics into energy from the paper. What the project Single-material laminates: would take technically and finan- feedstock, such as industrial really entails is a series of experi- a work-around cially to sort flexible films at a wax, lube stock, and synthetic ments with equipment manufac- To circumvent the challenges of MRF. Upon completion of the crude oil. turers and MRF operators to study, Dow invited brand owners recovering mixed-material flexi- figure out how to use this Says Wooster, recycling options and packaging producers to join ble packaging, some companies equipment to properly sort include a mechanical-type tech- the project and drive it forward. and projects are focused on the materials.” nology that allows the material designing multilayer films that The first phase involves studying to be turned into another article Meanwhile, PAC Next has identi- use a single material, PE, or the movement of films and flexi- without changing the nature of fied a company in Canada, combinations of materials that ble plastic packaging through the the plastic, and chemical feed- TeTechS, that is using terahertz can be collected through store MRF. So far, project members stock recycling, where the plastic wave technology to sort different drop-off programs. have gathered a representative is broken down into its chemical polymer types based on spectral In the U.K., the REFLEX project, assortment of flexible packaging components so that the feed- signals. TeTechS has proved out led by Axion Consulting and present in the marketplace. stock can be used to make other its Rigel™ technology on a lab co-funded by the U.K.’s innovation These will be mixed with paper materials. scale, but is looking for a venture and other materials commonly agency Innovate UK is working capital partner to invest in the PAC Next is working to bring found in a MRF and run through on designing new film construc- technology for commercial scale together industry partners to the sorting systems typically tions—in addition to helping use. “This is an interesting sort- help advance technologies used for paper. develop a recovery infrastructure. ing technology that might be the (Continued, see Puzzle, page 28)

27 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

FLEXIBLE FILM PUZZLE [CONT’D]

“The aim of the REFLEX project make them potentially recycla- mass to drive change through “I think it will probably be at is to create a circular economy ble, while ensuring the packag- the packaging industry,” says least a decade before you’ll start for post-consumer flexible pack- ing structures and designs still Blake. “People forget how many to see the kind of investments aging,” explains Liz Morrish, achieve their required barrier and decades it took to get decent needed to recover these films. I Principal Consultant for Axion. mechanical properties, and ease systems in place for the recovery don’t think it will be any sooner “There are a number of key ele- of handling on packaging lines. and recycling of PET. We would than that.” ments to the project, including say that PET is a big success Closer to home, Dow and film Says Wooster, “It’s really going the redesign of current packag- story. Yet if you look at the over- converter Accredo Packaging, to take a lot of people working ing so that it is recyclable and all recycling rates even for PET, Inc. recently collaborated to help together to solve this challenge. investigating and optimizing you’d argue that there’s signifi- launch a multilayer stand-up PE It’s not an easy challenge to technologies for sorting recycla- cant room for improvement, but pouch for Seventh Generation’s solve, or it would already have ble packaging from the waste it’s taken decades to get where dishwash detergent pods. been fixed, but we recognize that stream. we are today with PET. Another reverse-printed multi- it’s important, so we’re commit- “A key output of the project will layer PE SUP—which also sports “Multilayer flexible films, despite ted to doing it.” • be a set of design for recycling a unique cube-shape—was their growth and despite the fact Reprinted from www.packworld. guidelines, to help brand owners, designed by ConservaCube, that they’ve been out in other com, January 17, 2016. packaging designers, and conver- LLC for Mountain View Seeds. regions of the world for some tors design flexible packaging time, are still a relatively young At least a decade away that can be recycled.” packaging format in North Amer- Despite a multitude of challenges, ica, so it’s going to take time to According to Morrish, over the there is a way forward for multi- find solutions for these materials last year, the REFLEX project has layer flexible film recovery, but it and find end markets, which by made significant progress in re- will not happen overnight. “It the way, unfortunately is still a designing flexible packaging for takes an awful lot of time to get challenge globally. food and household products to the momentum and the critical

28 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MARINE DEBRIS: BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO REMOVE MICROBEADS FROM PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS SIGNED INTO LAW BY SCOTT LUSK, AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL

President Barack Obama signed beads from rinse-off personal projects under our Declaration of into law the “Microbead-Free care products across America. the Global Plastics Associations Waters Act of 2015” (H.R. 1321), for Solutions on Marine Litter “We commend leaders in Con- which phases out solid plastic since 2011. Support for micro - gress and the president for work- microbeads used in rinse-off bead legislation is one such ing together on the ‘Microbead- personal care products. The project.” THIS NEW LAW Free Waters Act of 2015.’ This • American Chemistry Council REFLECTS new law reflects national product Press release reprinted from (ACC) issued the following NATIONAL stewardship efforts by the per- American Chemistry Council, statement in support: PRODUCT sonal care industry to phase out December 28, 2015. “ACC and its members applaud the use of solid plastic micro - STEWARDSHIP President Obama and the U.S. beads used in personal care EFFORTS. Congress for taking this impor- exfoliating products. tant step to ensure there is one “ACC and our global partners sensible, national standard to have launched more than 185 phase out solid-plastic micro -

OCEANS WILL HAVE MORE PLASTIC THAN FISH BY 2050, STUDY SAYS BY MELISA CHAN, TIME

Up to $120 billion in plastic zation said in a new study. The ing material value, or $80 packaging material is lost research finds that 32% of all billion to $120 billion annually, each year. plastic packaging escapes col- is lost to the economy,” the lection systems, imposing eco- WEF said. The world’s oceans will nomic costs by hurting natural be filled with more plastic Experts predict that by 2050, systems like the ocean or clog- mass than fish mass by 2050, the amount of plastics pro- ging urban infrastructure. the World Economic Forum duced globally will increase said Tuesday. Most plastic packaging is used three times to 1,124 million tons, only once, according to the according to CNN Money. The use of plastics has in- • report, which is based on inter- creased by 20 times in the past Reprinted from www.time.com, views with more than 180 50 years and is expected to January 19, 2016. experts. “After a short first-use double again in the next 20 cycle, 95% of plastic packag- years, the international organi-

29 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

EPR: BC REJECTS PROPOSAL FOR SECOND PRODUCT STEWARD- SHIP OPTION BY ALLAN GERIAT, WASTE 360

British Columbia has rejected a The plan also does not adequately for the rejection of our plan in proposal for a second packaging ensure that producers will pay any event. We were determined and paper product stewardship the full cost of collecting and to provide producers with choice option in the province, which its managing 75 percent of their and expand access for residents advocate said would give busi- produced packaging and printed who are not receiving a producer- nesses and residents more paper volumes, as required. funded PPP service, thereby of- recycling options. fering benefits for both producer That could leave consumers/ and residents.” THE RULING StewardChoice Enterprises Inc., a taxpayers to fund the remaining CAME AFTER relatively new producer responsi- costs, and could reduce reason- StewardChoice said it will appeal 18 MONTHS bility firm, submitted a packaging able and free consumer access the decision. It said the ruling OF PLAN and printer paper (PPP) steward- to collection facilities. came after two years of discus- ship plan in addition to British sions and 18 months of plan And lastly, Zacharias said the REVISIONS Columbia’s existing Multi Mate- revisions with ministry officials. StewardChoice plan appears to WITH MINISTRY rial British Columbia (MMBC) rely on recycling companies or The company said the BC Recy- producer responsibility program OFFICIALS. building owners with little coor- cling Regulation allows for more for the province. dination to raise the consumer than one approved plan within a The BC Ministry of Environment awareness that is required by product category. The ministry rejected the plan, which had the provincial law. said it would undertake the been through several revisions, work required to make policy “I have concluded that there according to a news release from changes before a second pro- would be significant implications the Burnaby, British Columbia- ducer responsibility option for existing packaging and based StewardChoice. was approved. printed paper collection services Mark Zacharias, assistant deputy in British Columbia and for the StewardChoice is a subsidiary of minister for the Ministry’s Envi- Ministry of Environment’s role in Reclay StewardEdge, an interna- ronmental Protection Division, overseeing these services if the tional stewardship organization. made four points in rejecting the plan, in its current form, were to In May 2011, British Columbia alternative recycling proposal. be approved and implemented,” updated its Recycling Regulation He said in a letter that Steward- Zacharias said. to include packaging and printed Choice didn’t provided sufficient “Needless to say, StewardChoice paper. The regulation shifts the information on the potential is extremely disappointed with responsibility for managing the resulting service reductions to the ministry’s decision,” said Neil residential recycling of packaging the existing program by drawing Hastie, development director for and printed paper from regional producer funding away. StewardChoice. “We do not and municipal governments and agree with the ministry’s objec- their taxpayers to business. tions, which seem to be insuffi- (Continued, see Rejects, page 31) cient on their own to be the basis

30 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

BRITISH COLUMBIA REJECTS PROPOSAL [CONT’D]

British Columbia began rolling In September of last year a study Culver City, Calif.-based CRI out its producer responsibility by the Container Recycling Insti- expressed concerns in the report program in May 2014. tute (CRI) said the British Colum- about high container recycling bia beverage container and fees, a lack of transparency in The province has set a recycling recycling system, which was the financial reporting and a bloated goal of 75 percent. MMBC repre- first in the world in 1970, main- reserve fund. sents more than 900 member • tains a strong overall recovery businesses. Reprinted from www.waste360. rate of 84.2 percent. But the com, January 29, 2016.

31 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: US EPA APPROVES CALIFORNIA’S NEW TRASH CONTROL POLICY BY NAHAL MOGHARABI, U.S. EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protec- ing it from land to water and This trash capture approach has tion Agency approved the State adding to our serious marine already proven successful in the Water Resources Control Board’s debris problem.” Los Angeles and San Francisco new water quality standards for Bay Regions. The Los Angeles “Trash in our lakes, streams, and trash in California’s waters. The Region has waterbodies, including the ocean pose a serious threat standards are part of the state’s the L.A. River that will approach to fish and wildlife as well as new Trash Control Policy, designed the zero trash standard in 2016. harming the public’s ability to to keep trash out of streams, The recently updated San Fran- enjoy our beaches and water- lakes, bays, estuaries, coastal cisco Bay stormwater permit has INNOVATIVE ways. The good news is that this and ocean waters in California a target date of 2022 for zero problem is entirely preventable— STANDARDS to protect people and the trash, having already passed its many communities have already environment. 40 percent reduction milestone. WILL PROTECT stepped up to meet the chal- STATE'S Trash seriously degrades habi- lenge and serve as an example to The new Trash Policy amends the WATERWAYS. tats for many aquatic species, the rest of the state,” said State Water Quality Control Plans for and can lead to fatal ingestion or Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus. ocean waters, inland waters, entanglements. The presence of “This statewide policy relies on enclosed bays and estuaries of trash in waters also jeopardizes those tried-and-true, common California, and prohibits the dis- human health and safety, and im- sense approaches to ensure we charge of trash to state waters pedes recreational, navigational, get trash removed early before it through storm drain systems, as and commercial activities. As enters our storm water system— well as transportation and indus- much as 80 percent of the trash resulting in cleaner beaches and trial facilities and construction that ends up as marine debris is healthier marine life.” sites that are regulated under generated on land. With these National Pollution Discharge The Trash Policy provides a new requirements, California is Elimination System (NPDES) per- phased approach to eliminate not only protecting its own water- mits, making them enforceable trash in California’s waters by ways, it will be shrinking the and reportable. EPA approved 2026. Much of the trash gener- Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the these water quality standards ated on land is transported to massive vortex of marine debris under its federal Clean Water waterways via storm drains. The in the Pacific Ocean. Act authority. policy calls for the use of trash “The State of California has capture devices in areas that The EPA’s Pacific Southwest taken a bold step towards keep- generate large amounts of Region administers and enforces ing millions of pounds of trash garbage. California’s munici - federal environmental laws in each year out of our inland, palities and other storm water Arizona, California, Hawaii, coastal and ocean waters," said permit holders must comply by Nevada, the Pacific Islands and Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional either installing full trash capture 148 tribal nations—home to Administrator for the Pacific systems, or by using equivalent more than 48 million people. • Southwest. “EPA is pleased to devices coupled with programs Press release reprinted from approve the state’s new water such as increased street sweep- www.epa.gov, January 13, 2016. quality standards, which will help ing and educational outreach. prevent harmful trash from mak-

32 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: CALCHAMBER SENDS ‘JOB KILLER’ BILLS TO ITS PERSONAL GRAVEYARD BY TARYN LUNA, SACRAMENTO BEE

At the Esquire Building, a block Only 47 of 650 bills labeled job expertise on subjects such as away from the budding magno- killers have become law since the tax, or labor and employment, lias on the state Capitol grounds, list debuted in 1997, according to Zaremberg said. policy analysts and executives the chamber’s tally. The history is He said the committees help of the state’s most powerful busi- archived in a section labeled guide the chamber’s policy, or ness coalition are busy screening “The Graveyard” on a website stance on particular issues bills as quickly as legislators can devoted to the issue, CAJob affecting California, and make introduce them. Killers.com. Many of the bills ONLY 47 OF recommendations to the board never reach a formal vote and 650 BILLS ON Under the dome, Democratic law- of directors, which includes high- instead die off at the author’s makers like Sen. Hannah-Beth ranking executives at The Walt THE LIST HAVE discretion, lacking support. BECOME LAW Jackson are firming up their Disney Co., Microsoft, Fox Enter- plans, mindful that their bills CalChamber President and tainment Group and AT&T. The SINCE 1997. could be branded in a way that Chief Executive Allan Zaremberg board votes on policy once dooms them or is used against said his interest group isn’t a year. them in the next election. responsible for failed legislation. The chamber reviews every bill The chamber simply calls out Every spring the California Cham- and takes a stance on 200 to 400 “bad bills.” ber of Commerce introduces its in a year, said Zaremberg, who so-called “job killer” list, a hand- “It isn’t publicity, and it isn’t our took over the group in 1998. picked collection of bills the lobbying that kills a job killer,” He said the vast majority of the group says will reduce jobs and he said. “It’s the consequences issues are covered by existing deter companies from doing of the bill.” policy, which guides in-house business in the state. Critics of lobbyists as they determine the The chamber represents more the long-standing lobbying prac- chamber’s position on a bill. The than 13,000 companies that tice call the list little more than a staff flags bills they know will employ one-fourth of the private marketing campaign carried out hurt jobs and also reaches out sector workforce in the state, on behalf of big business. to people who are affected by according to the group. Members the legislation, he said. One thing is certain: You don’t range from small-business owners want your bill to be on it. to massive corporations. Cal The chamber opposes most of Chamber spent $4.3 million on the bills it reviews, but Zarem- “They can be very effective,” said lobbying last year, the fourth berg said only the “worst of the Jackson, a Santa Barbara Democ- highest amount by any group worst” are deemed job killers rat. “If a bill is on the job killer in the state. through the internal review list, you have to take it seriously process. A bill can earn the title that there will be a strong effort Its job killer list is determined if it imposes barriers to economic to undermine its passage.” through a long process that development, creates expensive begins with committees made up of members, who volunteer their (Continued, see Job, page 34)

33 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

CALCHAMBER JOB KILLER BILLS [CONT’D] regulations, inflates liability “The governor made it clear he It’s not unusual that trade organi- houses, and the moderate costs or increases fees for busi- was going to sign it and they zations are supported financially caucus was forming, Main said. nesses, among other factors, the removed it,” she said. by their members. Chevron, With fewer Republicans to lean chamber said. among the business organiza- Edward Walker, a political sociol- on, the chamber was looking tion’s most generous donors, “We may be opposed to (a bill),” ogy professor at UCLA, said it’s for ways to appeal to moderate funneled $2.2 million to the he said. “It may be an aggrava- common for interest groups to Democrats. Jobs were already chamber’s political action com- tion. It may be a burden. But it develop scorecards for legisla- a major policy concern for the mittees between 2009 and 2014. may not translate into what’s tors and threaten to give law- business coalition, Main said. The oil and gas company lobbied going to cost jobs. That’s where makers a low grade or damaging against 11 bills that made the “That morphed into the idea that our credibility comes in. Does title if they don’t vote in their chamber’s job killer lists during if we have this big issue, there it cost jobs?” favor. Walker said it also isn’t that same period, according to are individual bills that will make unusual for associations to pad Once the list is finalized and be- regulatory filings. it worse,” Main said. “We’re sit- their record. One way to do that, fore it goes public, the chamber ting around saying what can we he said, is by selecting bills likely The “job-killer” phrase traces gives authors a heads up and op- do and ‘job killers’ became a way to be a tough sell. back to the Council on California portunity to address the issues. of capturing that feeling.” Competitiveness, according to “When I see a list like this, I don’t Assemblywoman Lorena Gonza- Fred Main, a partner at Clear Main said the list distilled busi- know how cherry-picked it is,” lez, a San Diego Democrat who Advocacy and former chamber ness issues for lawmakers, even Walker said. “This could very boasts a rare 2-0 winning record executive from 1981 to 2003. if Democrats mocked it. well be the low-hanging fruit: against the chamber, considers it Main served as the chamber’s The issues that were potentially “While they were scoffing at the a badge of honor when business general counsel and senior vice easier victories or might have list, it became a very powerful interests attack her bills. A self- president, overseeing policy been winnable anyway even if tool,” Main said. “It hit a nerve.” described supporter of workers’ development and the legislative they weren’t involved.” Today many liberal lawmakers rights, Gonzalez said it proves operation. that she’s doing her job. Gonzalez has her own ideas credit the chamber for develop- Republican Gov. Pete Wilson about the chamber’s methods. ing an effective tactic to draw Gonzalez introduced a bill in formed the council of business attention to its opposition, but 2014 to provide workers with AB 359, which passed last year, and union leaders in 1991 to find question whether the list has three days of paid sick leave requires a company that buys an ways to increase jobs and state any real impact on jobs. a year. AB 1522 made the job existing grocery business to revenue. Led by former Major “When you call something a job killers list because it increased retain the employees for up to League Baseball commissioner killer, my goodness, in one second the employer mandate, accord- 90 days. The chamber labeled and Los Angeles investor Peter you’ve got someone’s attention,” ing to the chamber. the bill an “economic develop- Ueberroth, the council’s first ment barrier.” It was the only bill said Sen. Jackson. “You’ve hit on The bill was one of three labeled report warned that California had on the job killer list signed into a chord. People don’t want their job killers that passed in 2014, a reputation as a bad place to do law in 2015. jobs being killed. They don’t but was removed from the list 12 business. At the time, Ueberroth want public policy to be destruc- days before it was signed into “My bill was explicitly to help called the state a “well-honed, tive of jobs. It’s a very simple, but law. people retain their jobs,” Gonza- job-killing machine.” frankly not a very accurate, char- lez said. “It seems like a silly The chamber said amendments By 1997, political tides were acterization.” title, quite frankly. From what I changed the effects of the bills, changing. Wilson was on his way understand about how a bill gets A year ago Jackson introduced but the group continued to out, and Republicans had lost a on the job killer list, it has to do a bill to give workers up to 12 oppose it. Gonzalez said the brief majority in the Assembly. with whoever donates the most weeks of unpaid family sick chamber took the bill off the Majorities were thin in both money gets to choose what’s on (Continued, see Job, page 35) list to keep its bill-killing record the list.” intact.

34 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

CALCHAMBER JOB KILLER BILLS [CONT’D] leave. SB 406 would allow election against Assemblywoman In recent years the chamber The predictions rang true: In employees to retain their jobs Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, for the has supported more moderate 2015, Bonilla voted to pass all and take unpaid time off to care 7th Senate District in the East Democrats, an increasingly influ- three job killer bills that reached for their newborn, or themselves Bay. Outside groups spent mil- ential group of lawmakers. the Assembly floor. Meanwhile, or a close relative with a serious lions to support each candidate, Moderates often end up with the Glazer opposed three out of health issue. with unions heavily backing swing vote on highly contested four that came to a vote in Bonilla and business interests issues and are known to be more the Senate. Jackson’s bill made the job killer • behind Glazer. business-friendly than their list because the chamber said it Reprinted from www.sacbee. liberal counterparts. increased costs, risk of litigation Democratic strategist Steve com, February 11, 2016. and created less conformity with Maviglio, who led labor’s anti- For that reason, the special elec- federal law. Gov. Jerry Brown Glazer campaign and served as tion for the 7th Senate District vetoed SB 406, highlighting its spokesman, said the chamber was particularly important to the some of the same concerns as labeled Bonilla a job killer to chamber. Bonilla would have the chamber. sway Republicans to vote for tipped the scales and given Dem- Glazer. ocratic senators control over the The list can also come into play fate of controversial business in campaigns. “They went to Republicans with bills. Glazer, on the other hand, that pitch,” Maviglio said. “When Last year the chamber strongly was expected to vote in concert they are trying to turn out Repub- backed Steve Glazer, then a polit- with the chamber’s job killer list. licans to vote for a Democrat, it ical consultant and mayor of becomes effective.” Orinda, in an intraparty special

35 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: BLOCKBUSTER CALIFORNIA BALLOT WILL BE A $452- MILLION BATTLE BY JOHN MYERS, L.A. TIMES

In an election year in which lation to gather the voter signa- wage over four years to $15 an Californians, by virtue of the tures needed to qualify. hour with annual inflation adjust- state’s relative insignificance in ments after that. “I would have thought by now the presidential campaign and that it would have thinned out,” “One way or another, we support a fairly tepid U.S. Senate race, said Gale Kaufman, a veteran raising the minimum wage,” said have been spared the brunt of Democratic campaign consultant. Steve Trossman, a spokesman for nonstop politicking, political the hospital workers union. NONE OF THE experts say the storm is coming. Though a 2014 law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown allows propo- A rival measure, written by SEIU’s “We’re going to have a deluge of BACKERS OF nents to withdraw their initiative statewide council, would match political ads, of all forms,” said THIS YEAR’S after negotiations with the Legis- that minimum wage increase Ned Wigglesworth, a Sacramento- PROPOSED lature, none of the backers of while also boosting the number based campaign strategist this year’s proposed ballot meas- of state-mandated paid sick BALLOT whose firm has done an early ures appear ready to lay down days. Neither union group MEASURES projection of what will be spent their arms. The first legislative appears ready to back down, on statewide ballot measure APPEARS READY hearing on a proposed ballot ini- raising the possibility that voters campaigns this fall. TO LAY DOWN tiative, one that could threaten could be asked to weigh two THEIR ARMS. The bottom line: an initiative Brown's plans for underground different initiatives on the season in the Golden State that water tunnels through the Sacra- same subject. could see total spending of at mento-San Joaquin River Delta, is “Our campaign is moving full least $452 million—and perhaps scheduled for early next month. steam ahead, with paid and vol- even hitting half a billion dollars The list of viable ballot measures unteer signature gatherers in the —by the time the final votes includes an effort to fully legalize field as we speak,” said Laphonza are cast. marijuana, new taxes on tobacco Butler, president of the statewide For months, California’s ballot and extended taxes on wealthy union. initiative industry has been Californians, and issues ranging The specter of a super-sized watching that so-called perfect from gun control to new rules on ballot this fall leaves campaign political weather system brew- legislative procedures and dis- professionals unsure of exactly ing, courtesy of what’s expected closure for government lobbying. how California voters will make to be the biggest crop of state - It also includes two potential sense of the complex issues in wide measures on a single ballot measures seeking to do the front of them. in more than a decade. To date, same thing: raise California’s eight measures have qualified for “When you get stuck in this kind minimum wage. One of those ini- the Nov. 8 ballot. Interviews over of cacophony, it becomes much tiatives, sponsored by hospital the past week with campaign harder to game out how that's workers affiliated with the Serv- consultants who specialize in going to play,” Wigglesworth ice Employees International initiatives say an additional 15 said. Union, has already turned in its viable measures remain in circu- (Continued, see Ballot, page 37) signatures; it would raise the

36 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

BLOCKBUSTER CA BALLOT [CONT’D]

And those campaigns with the “I’ve never seen it like this,” said tant policy choices were weighed most money have the best Kaufman, as the independent during general elections where chance at being heard. State contractors who circulate initia- voter turnout is usually higher. campaign finance records show tive petitions have fought with- But this year, it also means that almost $70 million has already stood rainy weather and store- a long and expensive campaign been raised or spent for Novem- front bans on signature gather- season—replete with thousands ber ballot initiatives. One of the ing. As a result, some consult- of television ads, mailers, and largest war chests is held by the ants believe campaigns will be digital messages—is just around pharmaceutical industry, with paying as much as $6 per voter the corner. more than $38 million for fight- signature by the middle of March. ing against an initiative to cap “Is this the quiet before the Perhaps the most notable reason prescription drug prices paid by storm?” said Wigglesworth. for the long and costly political state health agencies, a major “Oh, yeah.” season ahead may be that initia- • drug purchaser that could influ- tive measures no longer appear Reprinted from www.latimes. ence overall prices. on the June statewide primary com, February 15, 2016. One big factor in both how many ballot. Under a law signed by propositions appear on Novem- Brown in 2011, initiatives are ber’s ballot (and thus the total lumped together in November. money spent) will be the cost At the time, advocates of the law to gather signatures. said it would ensure that impor-

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37 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATION: WASHINGTON STATE CONSIDERS FIRST CARBON TAX IN U.S. BY JESSICA LYONS HARDCASTLE, ENVIRONMENT LEADER

Washington state is considering The state’s lawmakers have until Analysis from the World the first carbon tax in the U.S., March 10 to enact Initiative 732, Resources Institute released which would require energy - which would impose the carbon last month finds a carbon price intensive manufacturing opera- tax, or offer an alternative pro- —either a carbon tax or cap-and- tions—steel mills and food posal or allow voters in Novem- trade program—would reduce processers, natural gas power ber to decide the fate of the emissions even more than the plants, refineries that use fossil carbon-tax measure. U.S. Energy Information Admin - fuels, and others—to pay $25 istration has predicted. Carbon Washington gathered per metric ton of carbon emis- THE GROUP SAYS more than 350,000 signatures to In December, EY released a sur- sions released. THE PROPOSAL quality the initiative. The group vey on business attitudes toward Proponents of the bill say says the proposal is revenue carbon pricing that found con- IS REVENUE although it would impose a neutral, so while it would increase sensus is building around the NEUTRAL. new tax on emissions, it would taxes on fossil fuels, the increase idea of carbon pricing and com- almost eliminate other business would be offset by decreases in panies expect it may actually taxes for manufacturers. other tax revenues. improve overall performance. • Similar carbon-tax proposals The state’s analysis, on the other Reprinted from www.environ- have been introduced in legisla- hand, estimates the measure mentalleader.com, February 29, tures in Vermont, Massachusetts could cost Washington about 2016. and New York, but Washington’s $915 million in lost revenues over proposal, which is modeled after the first four years, the AP reports. one in British Columbia, could become the first to tax carbon emissions, the Associated Press reports.

38 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: CA BILL STATUS UPDATE: WPA TRACKED BILLS BY LAURIE HANSEN, WPA LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR

February was the bill introduc- amended right up to the last other in June and November. The tion deadline in California, and minute of the session and emerg- plastic bag ban referendum is on a significantly lower number of ing issues could include Exten - the November ballot, in addition Laurie Hansen, Executive bills have been introduced by ded Producer Responsibility to millions of dollars in spending and Legislative Director for Western Plastics Association Legislators in this session than (EPR), plastic marine debris, proposals and other policy in the past. The number of plastic product bans and others. initiatives. specific bills has also gone down. The Legislature is in session until Below are the bills that we have BUT that doesn’t mean that bills the end of September, and it is identified in this first round of bill will be amended in the coming THE BAG BAN an election year. So the politics screening. I will be watching for session that could affect the of Sacramento will be hot with amendments and new bills that REFERENDUM plastics industry. Bills can be members running against each could affect WPA members. IS ON THE • NOVEMBER BALLOT. WPA BILL WATCH LIST

AB 1683 (Eggman D) Alternative energy financing. Introduced: 1/20/2016 Location: 2/8/2016-A. REV. & TAX Summary : Would prohibit the sales and use tax exclusions from exceeding $200,000,000 for each calen- dar year. By increasing the limit on the sales and use tax exclusion, this bill would include a change in state statute that would result in a taxpayer paying a higher tax within the meaning of Section 3 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, and thus would require for passage the approval of 2/3 of the mem- bership of each house of the Legislature. The bill would specify that if less than $200,000,000 is granted in a calendar year, the unallocated amount may roll over to the following calendar year.

AB 1826 (Stone, Mark D) Organic food products. Introduced: 2/8/2016 Location: 2/8/2016-A. PRINT Summary : Current law requires the Secretary of Food and Agriculture and county agricultural commis- sioners, under the direction of the secretary, to enforce regulations adopted by the federal National Organic Program (NOP) and the California Organic Products Act of 2003 applicable to any person selling products as organic. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes in that provision.

AB 2396 (McCarty D) Solid waste: annual reports. Introduced: 2/18/2016 Location: 2/18/2016-A. PRINT Summary : Current law requires each state agency to submit an annual report to the Department of Resources Recycling 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 commercial solid waste and organic waste.

(Continued, see Watch List, page 40)

39 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA BILL WATCH LIST [CONT’D]

AB 2409 (Wagner R) Water quality standards: trash: single-use carryout bags. Introduced: 2/19/2016 Location: 2/19/2016-A. PRINT 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 revisit 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. Introduced: 2/19/2016 Location: 2/19/2016-A. PRINT Summary : Would, beginning January 1, 2018, require a manufacturer of a beverage sold in a plastic beverage container to clearly indicate through labeling the average percentage of postconsumer recycled content in the beverage container, subject to certification by a 3rd party certification entity, as specified. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.

AB 2576 (Gray D) Recycling: glass container manufacturers: market development payments. Introduced: 2/19/2016 Location: 2/19/2016-A. PRINT Summary : Would appropriate $20,000,000 annually from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for market development payments to glass container manufacturers in an unspecified amount per ton of state-generated cullet, as defined, utilized for manufacturing in the state.

AB 2579 (Low D) California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act. Introduced: 2/19/2016 Location: 2/19/2016-A. PRINT Summary : Under current law, the Division of Recycling within the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery administers the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the Legislature’s findings and declarations relating to the act.

AB 2812 (Gordon D) Solid waste: recycling: state agencies and large state facilities. Introduced: 2/19/2016 Location: 2/19/2016-A. PRINT Summary : Would require the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, on or before July 1, 2017, to adopt requirements for adequate receptacles and staffing for collecting and storing recyclable materials in state buildings and large state facilities. The bill would require a state agency and large state facility, on or before July 1, 2018, consistent with those requirements, to provide receptacles for recyclable mate- rials, provide staff, and establish a collection schedule for collecting recyclable materials.

SB 970 (Leyva D) Organic food waste diversion. Introduced: 2/8/2016 Location: 2/18/2016-S. E.Q. Summary : Current law requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to cooperate with local jurisdictions and industry to provide assistance for increasing the feasibility of organic waste recycling and to identify certain state financing mechanisms and state fund- ing incentives and post this information on its Internet Web site. This bill would require, by June 1, 2017, the department, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board and the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, to develop a pilot program that encourages cost-effective and efficient integrated organic food waste diversion projects

(Continued, see Watch List, page 41)

40 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA BILL WATCH LIST [CONT’D]

SB 1043 (Allen D) Renewable gas: biogas and biomethane. Introduced: 2/12/2016 Location: 2/25/2016-S. E. U., & C. Summary : Would require the State Air Resources Board to consider and adopt policies to significantly increase the sustainable production and use of renewable gas, as defined, and, in so doing, would require the state board, among other things, to ensure the production and use of renewable gas provides direct environmental benefits and identify barriers to the rapid development and use of renewable gas and potential sources of funding.

SB 1167 (Leyva D) Employment safety: indoor workers: heat regulations. Introduced: 2/18/2016 Location: 3/3/2016-S. L. & I.R. Summary : The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health investigates complaints that a workplace is not safe and may issue orders necessary to ensure employee safety. Under existing law, the division has adopted regulations establishing a heat illness prevention standard for outdoor workers. This bill would require the division, by July 1, 2017, to propose to the standards board for its adoption, a heat illness and injury prevention standard applicable to indoor workers that provides equal or greater protection.

SB 1294 (Pavley D) The California Community Climate, Drought, and Jobs Resiliency Act. Introduced: 2/19/2016 Location: 3/3/2016-S. N.R. & W. Summary : Would require the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to award grants to local conservation corps certified by the California Conservation Corps for projects that improve the climate and drought resiliency of urban canopies, community landscaping, and urban greening efforts through the use of various water conservation methods, including the application of compost and mulch.

SB 1459 (Morrell R) Beverage container recycling: enforcement. Introduced: 2/19/2016 Location: 2/19/2016-S. PRINT Summary: Current law prohibits any person from paying, claiming, or receiving any refund value, processing payment, handling fee, or administrative 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 materials, returning previously redeemed containers to the marketplace for redemption, or bringing those containers or materials to the marketplace for redemption, as specified. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.

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42 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: SHIP & SHORE OFFERS ENERGY RECOVERY ASSESSMENTS

Ship & Shore Environmental, Ship & Shore’s (S&SE) profes- ABOUT SHIP & SHORE Inc., one of the world’s leading sional staff custom designs ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. pollution abatement service waste heat and energy recovery Ship & Shore Environmental, Inc. providers, announced today that systems capable of capturing hot is a Long Beach, Calif.-based will offer manufacturers Energy exhaust produced during various woman-owned, certified busi- Recovery Assessments with manufacturing processes and ness specializing in air pollution recommended engineering redirects it to other areas of capture and control systems for solutions to help sharpen their production to save and re-use industrial applications. Ship & competitive edge and save energy. Captured heat may be Shore helps major manufacturers money simultaneously. used to preheat the incoming meet Volatile Organic Com- THESE CASH volatile organic compound The assessments involve gather- pounds (VOC) abatement chal- (VOC)-laden air stream before INCENTIVES ing data to measure each com- lenges by providing customized entering the combustion cham- CAN OFFER pany’s current energy consump- energy-efficient air pollution ber of oxidizer systems. Hot tion, process flow and utility abatement systems for various SERIOUS ROI, exhaust can also be passed demands. Ship & Shore then industries, resulting in improved UP TO 50% OF through a waste heat boiler to offers solutions and recommen- operational efficiency and tai- produce steam, hot water or a THE PROJECT. dations for effective methods lored “green” solutions. Since hot oil economizer for other to reduce energy consumption, 2000, Ship & Shore has been process heating requirements, lower operating costs and assist prepared to handle and advise saving wasted energy and opti- manufacturers with taking on the full spectrum of environ- mizing efficiency. advantage of any rebates or mental needs with its complete incentive programs available. S&SE’s expertise offers a com- array of engineering and manu- plete source for environmental facturing capabilities and multi- “To date, we have addressed and and energy solutions, featuring ple offices around the U.S., assisted clients in the plastics, both quick ROI and the afore- Canada, Europe and most re- packaging, pharmaceutical, aero- mentioned cash incentives— cently, China. With over 100 space, fiberglass and metal coat- adding to a company’s perform- specialized professionals spread ing industries by giving them the ance and profitability. throughout the world, the com- ability to take advantage of util- pany is dedicated to designing ity rebate programs that you do “Our offer of energy recovery as- tailored solutions for its energy not typically find others offering sessments can go a long way in clients. For more information, in our industry. These cash incen- helping any company that has visit www.shipandshore.com. • tives can offer serious ROI [up fugitive VOC emissions waste to 50% of the project] to pay for heat lost to the atmosphere,” Reprinted from Ship & Shore these energy-efficiency meas- Oskouian says. “Without this press release, February 16, 2016. ures,” said Anoosheh Oskouian, type of analysis, companies may CEO of Ship & Shore Environ- be allowing cost savings to slip mental, Inc. “Further, we can through their fingers, not to assist manufacturers who have mention fail to meet regulatory an urgent need to meet the new, emissions standards, etc. more stringent EPA guidelines,” To download the Proving Energy she added. Efficiency in Manufacturing Whitepaper, click here.

43 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: EREMA INTRODUCES PLASTIC REGRINDPRO® MACHINERY

In order to secure the plastic with due thoroughness. EREMA tive sector such as bumpers, loop streams also for future gen- now has the solution for pre- battery packs, engine piping, etc. erations, the amount of recycled cisely this purpose: the new also have great potential in terms material in products has to be INTAREMA® RegrindPro® plant of reutilisation. EU Directive increased significantly. The system is geared exactly to all 2012/19/EU on WEEE foresees importance of plastics as a sec- types of thick-walled regrind 85% reutilisation as of 2019. This ondary raw material is thus con- material and, thanks to the corresponds to approx. 12 million tinuing to increase rapidly. To extremely gentle process and tonnes of WEEE per year includ- enable recyclates to be used 1:1 highly efficient filtration, can ing approx. 2 million tonnes of as a substitute for virgin material make application-optimised plastic (largely ABS, PS). Further- THE MACHINE there are two crucial factors. On recycled pellets from regrind. more, the Directive ELV (2000/ the one hand, sufficient raw recy- 53/EC) has stipulated since Janu- IS GEARED Recycled pellets based on cling material has to be available ary 2015 that the recycling quota EXACTLY TO ALL regrind material are an excellent and, on the other hand, it has to for end-of-life vehicles shall be alternative to virgin material for TYPES OF THICK- be possible to process this mate- at least 85% of the weight, and plastics processors. Most of all WALLED REGRIND rial economically to make recy- these currently consist of 12 to because of the fact that regrind cled pellets with customised 15% plastic. MATERIAL. is easy to sort and separate and property profiles. Thick-walled is thus available as a clean sorted Clemens Kitzberger, EREMA Busi- regrind has enormous potential input stream for the upstream ness Development Manager Post in this respect as the input mate- recycling process. Raw material Consumer, underlines the poten- rial for recycling—sufficient sources include thick-walled tial of polyolefin regrind with an quantities are available and, packaging such as HDPE blow- example from the USA: “In the above all, they are clean sorted. moulded bottles from the hygiene USA the post-consumer recycling Reprocessing the recycled pellets and cosmetic sectors and also rate for the various bottle types from regrind without any prob- thermoformed and injection- is only in the region of 30%. The lems and ensuring the functional moulded articles made of bottles are, however, easy to sort properties of the end products polypropylene and polystyrene —both for the consumers and for which are made from them, how- such as closure caps, cups, fruit machines—and compared to ever, requires a specific recycling containers and butter tubs. film, regrind has a higher bulk process—one which conventional Plastics from waste electrical density of 200-600 kg/m and is systems on the market have so and electronic equipment (WEEE) free-flowing. Both properties far not been able to accomplish and products from the automo- contribute to the washing and sorting processes working better Fig 1. The new Regrind Pro® and the material thus being avail- able in a more clean-sorted form. This has huge potential in terms of the recycled pellets produced coming very close to virgin material—similar to PET bottle recycling.” (Continued, see Erema, page 45)

44 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

EREMA INTRODUCES REGRINDPRO® [CONT’D]

The material streams are, there- time to heat through and melt Fig. 4 fore, available in sufficient quan- compared to thin films. With con- tities for the use of recycled ventional treatment systems the regrind as a substitute for virgin regrind is dosed into the single material and, compared to film, or twin screw extruder via a hop- they are also available in a more per system. A longer processing clean-sorted form. Processors unit is thus required to melt are, however, also interested in the cold regrind particles. This the rheological properties of increases the residence time in these recyclates allowing trou- the extruder and the melting ble-free subsequent processing process takes place under high and the assurance of the func- shear stress. The polymer struc- contents of up to 8% mean that defects through contaminants. tional characteristics of their end ture is destroyed in parts because energy-consuming pre-drying is The statistics from the USA in Fig. products. Besides the mechani- of this, which has a negative necessary on both systems. 4 show the end products which cal aspects, above all surface impact on the mechanical proper- are made from HDPE bottle re- quality, dyeability and smell are ties of the end products. Addi- The specific treatment process grind. Non-food bottles account decisive quality factors. This tionally, the impurities appearing in the recycling of thick-walled for the largest part with 38%, places particularly high require- in the regrind material are also input material thus has to be followed by 28% in the piping ments on the recycling process reduced in size through the designed to be able to work with sector and 5-7% in automotive which commercially available impacting shear forces and filtra- different types of regrind (PP, PE, applications and films. In these systems have not always been tion efficiency is decreased dras- PS, ABS, etc.), with a wide variety end applications it is not only the able to meet so far. tically as a result. Compared to of bulk densities and moisture mechanical properties, smell and the single screw systems, this contents, plus strongly varying Challenge: regrind recycling dyeability but also and in particu- effect is increased with the contaminants such as impurities Due to its high bulk density (200- lar the surface quality which is an co-rotating twin-screw extruder like rubber, silicone and soft con- 600 kg/m) and the fact that it is essential criterion. This, however, through up to three times poorer taminants like wood and paper, free-flowing, regrind is, as a rule, can be achieved only if the recy- filtration fineness due to the low plus foreign polymers like PET easy to dose in an extrusion sys- cled pellets used for this purpose pressure build-up. The cold-fed and PA. These contaminants tem and requires no additional have been filtered extremely effi- single screw systems lack the have to be removed effectively compacting and size reduction. ciently in the upstream recycling flexibility to handle the various because more and more material The challenge, however, lies process. The value added increases regrind types such as HDPE and is being saved in wall thicknesses particularly in melting the thick- additionally, as the recycled pellet PP with the same quality require- also in the production of e.g. bot- walled regrind particles in a amount in the finished product ments economically on one tles and pipes, and the end prod- gentle way, as they require more system. Additionally, moisture ucts are thus more sensitive to (Continued, see Erema, page 46)

Fig. 3

45 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

EREMA INTRODUCES REGRINDPRO® [CONT’D] can also be raised up to 100% optimised for the regrind and in materials such as regrind. This same system with full output and as a result. which the material is processed is made possible by the screw in a gentle way. in an extremely gentle way by being filled virtually pressure- Clemens Kitzberger sums up: Once the material has been means of a rotor disc with a free and the fact that it only “Processors who use recycled melted the melt passes through special tool setup (see Fig. 5). takes as much as is required at pellets from regrind have to be the recently enhanced EREMA Thanks to the slow turning of this any one time. Furthermore, the able to rely on their end products Laserfilter. Thanks to the redesign rotor disc the thick-walled, moist melting process with minimum having premium surface quality of the scraper geometry and particles are efficiently dried and shear stress increases the clean- and that their mechanical proper- discharge system, contaminants degassed with a high filling level ing efficiency of the melt filter ties likewise stay top class. In are removed even more quickly and thus longer residence time. as the size of organic or mineral order to be able to recycle in line which reduces fine particles and Long residence times in the pre- solid matter is not reduced. This with these criteria the recycling results in even better filtration conditioning unit are important means that even contaminants extruder has to be filled with performance. Clemens Kitzberger so the regrind is not only dried such as wood and paper can be thoroughly warmed regrind parti- recommends the RegrindPro® but also so it has enough time optimally filtered because, thanks cles to ensure first of all excep- package with EREMA Laserfilter to be warmed thoroughly and to the gentle process, the fibres tionally gentle processing and, especially in the post-consumer homogeneously. An additional do not separate and they remain secondly, high-performance fil- sector: “Thanks to the optimised benefit of the longer residence large enough to be discharged tration. And these are precisely scraper geometry in the Laserfil- time is that powder additives at the filter. the two key functions of our ter, rubber-like, non-melting con- such as CaCO3 can be admixed innovative RegrindPro® tech- Through the combination of the taminants such as silicones and in amounts up to 20% and, nology.” optimised preconditioning unit linked polymers are removed above all, be distributed well. with a new, particularly gentle quickly and continuously from RegrindPro® technology After the preconditioning unit the universal screw, RegrindPro® the screen and thus filtered What makes RegrindPro® so dried, degassed and thoroughly additionally offers you a remark- even more effectively.” Clemens special is that unlike other warmed material is dosed into ably high degree of flexibility in Kitzberger explains further: systems the regrind material is the directly connected extruder the choice of materials, which “Additionally, the principle of heated through already prior to and melted in the short universal enables multipurpose regrind EREMA’s patented TVEplus® extrusion which increases both screw with minimum shear processing. This allows you, technology also comes into flexibility in material selection stress. EREMA’s Counter Current for example, to process regrind effect: melt filtration prior to and filtration efficiency as a technology offers a further bene- despite varying melting points homogenising and degassing. result. This is handled by the fit here, which is crucial espe- and energy contents, as in the This removes any impurities from preconditioning unit which is cially in terms of free-flowing case of HDPE and PP, using the (Continued, see Erema, page 47)

Fig. 5

46 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

EREMA INTRODUCES REGRINDPRO® [CONT’D] the system before they can out- on the subsequent processing Concrete cus- Fig. 7 gas and prevents the formation of these recycled pellets and tomer applica- of undesired smells.” leads to mechanical and optical tion: optimum defects in the end products. The pipe surface The RegrindPro® configuration comparison in Fig. 6 documents despite silicone can also be combined with the respective defect analysis for impurities EREMA’s recycling and com- the test films produced from the The efficiency of pounding technology COREMA®. different recycled pellets and RegrindPro® has A way of producing customised shows the cumulative defect area been confirmed compounds directly in a single share as a function of the defect by EREMA in col- step on the basis of regrind. size. In contrast to the other laboration with Comparison test confirms technologies the curve for a pipe producer. efficiency lead of RegrindPro® RegrindPro® already begins to This customer Fig. 6 compares the filtration effi- flatten at nonconforming sizes of has its own recy- ciency of conventional single and 400-450 μm and stays at a con- cling department twin screw systems with the new stant nonconforming area share where it uses RegrindPro® system. Natural PP of approx. 300 ppm. With the post-consumer of the regrind which has already regrind from the same batch was cold-input single and twin screw bale material consisting of HDPE been preheated. Thanks to the used as input material on all sys- systems tested, however, the shampoo bottles to make minimum of shear forces the sili- tems and the respective recycled curve rises and with it the non- washed regrind which it then cone particles stay large enough pellets were then processed to conforming area of the film processes to produce recycled inside the extruder and can thus make sample films on an OCS increases throughout the entire pellets for use in the pipe pro- be removed even more efficiently film plant in the analysis labora- area measured significantly to duction process. EREMA has now by the EREMA Laserfilter. Any tory at EREMA. The defects in the over 1000 ppm. The comparison been able to set completely new particles which may be left in films are detected automatically shows that the recycled pellets standards for this application the melt are homogenised inten- in the process and then cate- produced with RegrindPro® are with RegrindPro® in combination sively downstream of the Laser- gorised according to size and the filtered much better and contain with the Laserfilter: filter in accordance with the TVE area of nonconformity is shown significantly fewer and, above all, The silicones and linked poly- plus® principle. This is because in cumulative form. With this fewer large impurities. This dif- mers of the seals of the screw the smaller the remaining sili- sensitive testing method any ference in quality is already visi- tops and spray nozzles of the cone is and the finer it is distrib- impurities remaining in the recy- ble to the naked eye when you bottles are a key issue in the pro- uted, the lower the impact on cled pellets are made visible and see the film sample. And it is pre- cessing of this regrind. These the reprocessing of the recycled can thus be evaluated in terms of cisely this difference in quality cannot be removed completely pellets. both quality and quantity. A large which has an effect on surface when washing, do not melt and In order to be able to compare number of nonconformities quality in subsequent processing thus have to be filtered out dur- the material quality of the caused by impurities in the test of the recycled pellets to make ing extrusion otherwise they recycled pellets which are pro- film also has a negative impact e.g. piping. cause holes in the pipe surface duced with the customer's exist- Fig. 6 when the pellets are reprocessed. ing twin screw extrusion system Silicones, for example, are diffi- and with Regrind Pro®, EREMA cult to filtrate as they behave like carried out a control test. Both rubber, become long and thin at recycled pellet batches were the filter and pass through the fil- processed on the OCS film unit ter holes. This is the reason why into 60 μm test films in the it is necessary to keep these EREMA analysis laboratory which impurities as large as possible were then analysed with regard up to filtration so they can be fil- to their respective particle size. tered. This is ensured by Regrind- Fig. 7 shows that the test films Pro® through the gentle melting (Continued, see Erema, page 48)

47 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

EREMA INTRODUCES REGRINDPRO® [CONT’D] made from the recycled pellets with a high bulk density from 200 oping a plant system which is • The thorough warming of the produced with RegrindPro® have kg/m the light fractions present designed exactly for these thick- regrind also enables the process- significantly fewer and above all in the bales—such as the thin- walled materials. In short, ing of polymers with different considerably smaller residual walled plastic residues from the RegrindPro® offers a number melting points and energy con- impurities. Analogous to the film bottle labels—had to be sepa- of benefits which enable you to tents—without screw change control test the surface qualities rated in the washing plant. With process regrind to make applica- but with high throughput at the of the pipes produced using the the RegrindPro® system you can tion-optimised recycled pellets same time. respective recycled pellets were now process materials with a and make end products with a • The EREMA preconditioning also compared. Here too it can bulk density range from 30 to recycling rate of up to 100%. unit enables the processing of be seen as on Fig. 7 that the 800 kg/m. With this remarkably • The thick-walled regrind parti- materials with a broad bulk den- surface quality of the pipes made high degree of flexibility in the cles are heated through homoge- sity spectrum of 30 to 800 g/l from recycled pellets produced choice of material the customer neously in the EREMA precon - and an input moisture of up to with RegrindPro® is considerably can also process these thin film ditioning unit and prepared for 8%. Furthermore it is possible to better. scraps—i.e. the entire bale mate- extrusion. admix additives in pellet form rial now—in-house with the new The second key issue is the flexi- and up to 20% in powder form. RegrindPro®. • The melting procedure for the bility in the choice of material. thoroughly warmed regrind parti- • The RegrindPro® package Previously the customer had Summary cles in the extruder is gentle and can be used on all INTAREMA® been able to process only very To take full advantage of the takes place with minimum shear systems (T, TE, TVEplus®) and thick-walled regrind with up to potential of recycled regrind as impact. This prevents any size re- COREMA®. max. 1% moisture with the twin an alternative to virgin material • duction of the contaminants prior screw extruder used. As, there- a specific treatment process is Reprinted from EREMA press to filtration and enhances filtra- fore, the twin screw extrusion required. With the new product release. tion efficiency. system used in the past was only INTAREMA® RegrindPro® able to handle input material EREMA has succeeded in devel-

SAVE THE DATE: WPA Annual Conference JUNE 21—23,2016 NEWPORT BEACH HYATT REGENCY

Technical Issues | Policy Issues

48 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: INNOVATION TAKES ROOT— INGEO USERS’ FORUM

NatureWorks announced today breakout sessions, networking ABOUT NATUREWORKS the fifth biennial Innovation events, and an exhibition of NatureWorks LLC is a company Takes Root Ingeo™ biopolymer products and services from dedicated to meeting the world’s users’ forum will be held March supply chain partners. needs today without compromis- 30 to April 1, 2016, at the Orlando The 2014 forum featured speak- ing the earth’s ability to meet the World Center Marriott, in ers from such organizations as needs of tomorrow. Today, Orlando, Fla. Danone, IBM, Kimberly-Clark, NatureWorks is a world leading Innovation Takes Root—The Kodak, PepsiCo, Stratasys, biopolymers supplier and innova- Second Decade emphasizes the Unilever, and the Green Sports tor with its Ingeo portfolio of nat- Ingeo journey since world scale Alliance. In all there were more urally advanced materials made INTERNATIONAL production was achieved in 2005 than 50 speakers and panelists. from renewable, abundant feed- INGEO USERS’ and provides a unique perspec- That year’s forum drew more stocks with performance and FORUM: MARCH tive on what is in store for 2016 than 300 attendees from 25 economics that compete with oil-based intermediates, plastics, 30 – APRIL 1 IN and beyond through the eyes of countries, and more than 200 and fibers, and provide brand ORLANDO. the Ingeo “user group”— Ingeo companies were represented. channel partners and the market. owners new cradle-to-cradle Discounted early bird registration The forum will illustrate the lat- options after the use of their will begin this fall with online est developments in the market products. NatureWorks is jointly registration available. The Inno- based on new product introduc- owned by Thailand’s largest vation Takes Rootwebsite is tions and developments in chemical producer, PTT Global updated on a continuing basis. applications, processing, and Chemical, and Cargill, which pro- NatureWorks welcomes inter- converting, amidst a broader vides food, agriculture, financial ested parties to submit speaking context on what is happening and industrial products and serv- topics for consideration to the around the world from a policy, ices to the world. For general Program Committee. Please sub- legislative, and societal information on NatureWorks mit these ideas to Jim Nangeroni, perspective. and Ingeo, visitwww.naturework- Program Co-Chair ITR 2016. Past sllc.com. • A key feature of the forum will be programs, news stories on Inno- presentations on complementary vation Takes Root and video from Reprinted from NatureWorks technology in fibers, packaging, past conferences are also avail- press release. and durable products that have able on the site. Follow Nature- led to the development of inno- Works on Twitter (@natureworks) vative, high performance prod- for the latest updates #ITR2016. ucts and systems that do not For more information about compromise the environmental NatureWorks and Ingeo, visit benefits of Ingeo. Parallel tracks www.natureworksllc.com. highlighting the use of Ingeo in graphics and printing systems, personal care, sustainable pack- aging, and compostable food serviceware are planned for the main program session. The daily program in 2016 will feature

49 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

MEMBER NEWS: SAFETY CAN SAVE A LIFE AND PREVENT AGAINST SERIOUS VIOLATIONS BY JEFFREY C. TERRY, HUB INTERNATIONAL

Sadly, 4,679 workers died on of workplace fatalities and dis- be evaluated unfavorably by a the job in 2014 according to the abling injuries. OSHA staffs thou- current customer and be unable Occupational Safety and Health sands of inspectors in the U.S. to continue a business partner- Administration (OSHA). to ensure that safe and healthy ship. Companies may not be working conditions are met for selected by a potential new “No one should have to sacrifice the U.S. workforce. customer by the discovery of the their life for their livelihood, plastics company OSHA violation because a nation built on the OSHA diligently enforces such in the due diligence process of THE PLASTICS dignity of work must provide standards through inspections that potential new customer. INDUSTRY IS safe working conditions for of workplace environments and NOT ABSOLVED its people.” through investigation of work- Further, OSHA is implementing place accidents. As a conse- several changes to its adminis- FROM HAZARDS ~Sec. of Labor Thomas E. Perez quence of OSHA's enforcement, trative penalty calculation sys- IN THE WORK- If you have ever visited the OSHA Plastics companies are often tem as the agency determined PLACE. web site (www.osha.gov) it is a subject to fines and penalties for that many of its current penalty tragic and humbling sight to view improper care and duty in provid- factors are often too low to have the front page ticker scroll across ing and documenting a safe and an adequate deterrent effect on and show the names of U.S. healthy working environment. unsafe businesses. Factors workers who have been killed include: history reduction, his- Are plastics companies at risk? while on the job. How many of tory increase, repeat violations, In 2014, OSHA conducted 36,163 those lives could have been severe violator, gravity-based total inspections from its en- saved if safety practices at the penalty, size reduction, good forcement division. OSHA issued companies where these employ- faith, minimum penalties, 67,941 total violations, of which ees worked or where employees additional administrative mod- 49,616 (73%) were classified as worked that contributed to the ifications to the penalty calcula- Serious Violations. loss of life were functioning at tion policy. the highest possible level? Are penalties and citations Safeguarding for an inspection meaningful? The plastics industry is not IDENTIFY YOUR RISKS Citations and penalties that absolved from hazards in the • Plastics companies have com- OSHA issues can be crippling to workplace, nor is the industry mon safety exposures that exist an organization. There have been free of unsafe acts by workers in most general industries, yet numerous penalties that have and others. Effective safety lead- there is also uniqueness in their reached into the millions of dol- ership and comprehensive safety operations. Make sure you have lars for an individual company. A practices will mitigate against a clear understanding of your penalty for $100,000 and above loss - loss of human life and exposures. Utilize safety check- is very common. limb, and loss of assets and lists and inspection reports to operations. Not only is a company responsi- assist in identifying exposures. ble for payment or settlement of In support of governing work- Ask front-line employees and the penalties, there are other place safety, OSHA was enacted supervisors to identify risks. potential consequences to an in 1970 to assist in the reduction (Continued, see OSHA, page 51) OSHA citation. Companies may

50 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

OSHA SAFETY VIOLATIONS [CONT’D]

Evaluate the controls you have in place for these risks. Take correc- TOP 10 MOST FREQUENTLY tive action to address any defi- ciencies that you may have. CITED OSHA STANDARDS REVIEW THE TOP 10 OSHA CITED FISCAL 2015* VIOLATIONS • Evaluate your company’s expo- The following is a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards* following inspections of worksites sures and control over exposures by federal OSHA. OSHA publishes this list to alert employers about these commonly cited standards so in the OSHA Top 10 list. they can take steps to find and fix recognized hazards addressed in these and other standards before INSTITUTE PROPER RECORD- OSHA shows up. Far too many preventable injuries and illnesses occur in the workplace. KEEPING 1. Fall Protection • Ensure you have documented 2. Hazard Communication and consistent record keeping of safety training, accident investi- 3. Scaffolding gation, machinery/equipment/ 4. Respiratory Protection automobile inspections, hazard communication, material data 5. Lockout/Tagout safety, job safety analysis. 6. Powered Industrial Trucks • Be consistent in your record- 7. Ladders keeping process. Standardize the 8. Electrical, Wiring Methods process across departments and locations within the organization 9. Machine Guarding for continuity, keeping in mind 10. Electrical, General Requirements there may be nuances to opera- tions and exposures, but the recordkeeping should be consis- *For Oct 1, 2014, to Sep 30, 2015. As of 01/05/16. tent, organized, and well docu- mented.

BUILD A “LEARNING ORGANIZA- TION” SAFETY CULTURE • Building a "learning organiza- learn from past history, looks to The impact of a catastrophic tion" safety culture requires a share and embrace operational workplace injury or fatality can commitment from all levels of excellence, and carries humility destroy a company as well as a the organization. By having every and a thirst of knowledge in its worker's family. By implementing employee immersed in the safety pursuit to always perform better. key safeguards and by engaging safety and risk management pro- and health of all individuals • Consistent and thorough safety fessionals, your Plastics organi- throughout the organization, training is the key. Responsibili- zation can reduce its exposure to your company not only reduces ties should reside at all levels— loss and to compliance related its exposure to loss, it reduces its front line employees to supervi- issues. Should an OSHA inspec- exposure to penalties from an sors to management and execu- tion occur, it is recommended to OSHA inspection. Companies tives. Everyone needs to partici- consult with your safety profes- that have a strong safety culture pate and contribute for success sional and risk management con- typically fare much better if an and sustainability. Pay close sultant as soon as practicable. OSHA inspection occurs. A attention to safety behavior as • “learning organization” safety well as the physical and opera- Reprinted from HUB International culture always endeavors to tional exposures. press release.

51 THE VOICE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN THE WEST

WPA LEADERSHIP FOR 2015: 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