Sustainable Plastics Live

Plastics recycling was the main topic of the October Sustainable Plastics Live program. Karen Laird gave an update on chemical recycling project and talked about challenges that all recyclers face right now, including high energy costs, sluggish demand and competition from low-cost virgin resins. She discussed policies that could help, including container deposits and taxes on virgin polymers.

In the August Sustainable Plastics Live, Karen Laird talks about how plastics recyclers are suffering because some brand owners are buying inexpensive virgin resins, and some regulators are delaying extended producer responsibility efforts.

A supplier is experimenting with a new method to make PHA resin — by growing it in plants. The technology may offer a lower-cost way to make the family of bio-based resins. Also, Karen Laird shared a detailed timeline on the history of chemical recycling of plastics.

Bioplastics can help companies reduce their carbon footprint but they need more work to become competitive with fossil fuel-based polymers.

Join us on June 5 at 10:00 AM EDT/ 3:00 AM BST/ 4:00 PM CEST for a Sustainable Plastics Livestream sponsored by Trinseo!

In the June Sustainable Plastics Live, we’re focusing on carbon and renewable carbon. Lowering the industry’s carbon footprint and reducing greenhouse gases are major plastics issues. Karen Laird will also cover new technology for growing PHA in plants; new technology for sorting recyclables; and reconciling mechanical and chemical recycling.

Plastics industry efforts to become more sustainable aren’t moving fast enough – even for PET – according to new reports from the Minderoo Foundation and Systemiq. In Sustainable Plastics Live, Karen Laird summarizes the new reports and talks about the impact extended producer responsibility will have on plastics.

Join us on February 7 at 10:00 AM EST/ 4:00 PM CET for a Sustainable Plastics Livestream!

In our February Sustainable Plastics Live, Karen Laird and Don Loepp will discuss new bans on some single-use plastic products; ways that plastics companies in emerging markets are achieving sustainability; and the latest in biobased additives.