Perspective

It is time to implement an awareness and programs for fire safety, to guide companies on best practices and prevention and to engage the communities where plastics plants create jobs and economic growth.

Much has changed in the world of plastics recycling over the past decade. Once a sector with little prestige and even less claim to notice, plastics recycling is now considered one of the main pillars, if not the backbone, of the transition to a circular economy.

Chris Zeigler: While it was gratifying to hear President Biden acknowledge the critical role natural gas and oil play in meeting our nation's future energy needs, he could have taken a moment to expand on his comment and outline — even briefly — his thoughts on energy policy.

If anything, what the last 18-24 months exposed is that there are many weak points in multiple companies that quite frankly were just not prepared.

Jim Throne: Environmentalists do not hate the truth and would welcome the plastics industry's help in learning it.

Plastics Industry Association CEO Matt Seaholm: "While the plastics industry is saying, "OK, let's figure out a funding mechanism like EPR to build the necessary recycling infrastructure," activists ... are essentially saying, 'You can call it whatever you want; we have a different agenda.'"

The Russian plastics industry is facing the deepest crisis in its modern history, with shortages of key raw materials, finished products and crucial technology.