Plastics groups celebrate collaboration

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The three major trade associations for the plastics industry in the U.S. and Canada celebrate their first year of formal collaboration under the North American Plastics Alliance (NAPA) banner. SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association will continue working together on key industry priorities through the virtual structure of NAPA.

The three organizations that comprise the aliance now have a track record demonstrating that combined efforts in key areas are more effective and efficient in providing increased value to their members. The initial priorities for enhanced collaboration by the Alliance are:

 

• Pellet Containment: Extension of Operation Clean Sweep to broaden pellet containment efforts in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere.

• Recycling and Energy Recovery: Promotion and facilitation of energy recovery and conversion of used plastics to complement recycling

• Plastics Benefits: Outreach to key stakeholders on the benefits of plastics

• Advocacy: targeted advocacy with policy makers to support the growth of the plastics industry

 

In addition, ACC and SPI have worked together over the past year to promote and support the development of enhanced energy efficiency codes and consensus-based "green" building standards. For example, the associations have addressed the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) proposed revisions to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system, and have provided input to the U.S. General Services Administration's Green Building certification system review. Because energy efficiency is a shared goal across North America, SPI and ACC are closely coordinating with CPIA on these issues.

 

Finally, the three NAPA organizations have created a roundtable discussion group comprised of Plastics Association Leaders (PAL) from the major plastics industry trade associations from the United States, Canada and Mexico. The purpose of the group is to explore potential areas of collaboration on plastics issues common to all of their constituents. The group held its first meeting at NPE2012 in Orlando, FL. Twelve different associations were represented. A follow up PAL meeting took place July 19, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

 

A Steering Team of member and staff representatives will continue to direct the collaborative programs and initiatives of the North American Plastics Alliance. The NAPA Steering Team is comprised of:

Staff: Bill Carteaux, President and CEO, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association;  Steve Russell, Vice President of Plastics, American Chemistry Council;  Carol Hochu, President and CEO, Canadian Plastics Industry Association

Members: Jay Cude, President and CEO, Coeur Inc.; Chair, SPI Board of Directors; Margaret Mattix , Vice President, Global Marketing, ExxonMobil Chemicals; Chair, ACC Plastics Division Operating Committee;  Paul Cohen, President, W. Ralston (Canada) Inc.; Chair, CPIA Board of Directors

 

"Collaboration under NAPA is a logical extension of the work we do on behalf of our members since many of our issues cross the Canada-U.S. border. Working together with other national organizations has enabled us to focus our resources where they can make a difference for the industry. "says Carol Hochu, President and CEO, CPIA.

 

"Based on our successes with Operation Clean Sweep, energy recovery and public enhancement of plastics' favorability, I am confident that together, SPI, ACC and CPIA will continue to expand well beyond the limits of what we would be able to accomplish individually."  says  Bill Carteaux, President and CEO, SPI.

 

"NAPA has allowed us all to deliver greater value to our members and the plastics value chain. By working together to demonstrate the collective value of our industry in terms of jobs, sustainability and product innovation, we have been able to advocate and communicate much more effectively." according to  Steve Russell, Vice President of Plastics, American Chemistry Council.

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