PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2021

TOP TALK PETplanet Insider Vol. 22 No. 07+08/21 www.petpla.net 15 Can you briefly explain to our readers the most important bills that affect the PET bottling/recycling industry? Radoszewski: There are two significant bills in California that we are keeping an eye on and it’s a bit confusing as to what the goal is here. AB 478 mandates recycled content in all thermoforms. This includes PET as well as the other resins such as polystyrene, polyethylene and poly- propylene. Another bill we’re watching is SB 343. It would create a prescribed list of recyclable materials and would prevent the use of the chasing arrows symbol on any material not listed. Incredibly, PET thermoforms, which package so much of California’s fresh produce would not be consid- ered recyclable and would instead be landfilled. There are strong, viable, and growing markets for this material in California and this legislation would prevent their recycling. In sum, one bill requires recycled content from materials that the other bill does not consider recyclable. PETplanet: What role do direc- tives play for your members in the US market that, like the example of tethered caps, are currently becoming binding for the European market? Radoszewski: We continue to see legislation pushing tethered caps. These efforts are not as significant as has been the case in the past. How- ever, Maine and Massachusetts both had bills introduced on the subject this year. Other directives we have been following are recycled content mandates in plastic bottles. Last year California passed a recycled content law, and this year Maine and Wash- ington both passed similar laws. PETplanet: The challenging global situation entailed the shift of the NPE show to 2024. Which (strategic) changes, difficulties but also opportu- nities resulted from that for you? What possibilities are you going to tackle to strengthen the relationship with your exhibitors, visitors and of course your direct members, also in the interim period? Radoszewski: Organisations across the globe have found new meaning in the old idiom “necessity is the mother of invention.” The past 18 months or so have been jarring in so many ways, but our association has been more agile and adaptable than even I thought possible. We’ve accepted challenges as opportunities and have hosted numerous virtual events to maintain strong engagement with our members and stakehold- ers. At the same time, nothing can fully replace the in-person dynam- ics of a trade show of the size and scale of NPE. That’s why we’re laying the groundwork right now for the NPE2024 to be the best NPE ever. PETplanet: We are looking for- ward to it! Thank you very much! www.plasticsindustry.org The right tools and expertise to help with your rPET goals! Agr is uniquely positioned to support your venture into rPET bottle manufacturing with a powerful combination of Process Control tools, Process Consultants, and decades of industry experience. AGRINTL.COM • +1.724.482.2163