Extrusion International 3-2025-USA

35 Extrusion International 3/2025 Additions to Public Affairs Team Announced The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) announced two new addi - tions to itsPublicAffairs team, reinforc- ing the association’s ongoing commit- ment to protect the industry, promote continued investment in innovation and sustainability, and advocate for the more than one million workers across the plastics supply chain. “I’m proud of the team we’ve as- sembled at PLASTICS and excited to welcome these talented profession- als to our Public Affairs team,” said Stephanie Strategos Polis, Vice Pres - ident of Public Affairs and Commu- nications at PLASTICS. “Their pro - fessional expertise will strengthen our ability to showcase the essential products provided by the hardwork- ing people across our industry and highlight the vital role plastics play in driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth across the country.” New Public Affairs Team Mem- bers: • Chiara Matriccino joins PLAS - TICS as Manager of Communica - tions and Digital Productions. A strategic communications leader with a decade of experience, Chiara has developed and executed digital media campaigns, stakeholder out- reach, and multimedia storytelling across the federal, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. In this role, Chi - ara will oversee PLASTICS’ in-house production studio and lead the development of compelling digi- tal content to showcase the value, workforce, and innovation across the plastics industry supply chain. • Allie Richardson joins PLASTICS as Manager of Press and Public Af- fairs. A South Carolina native and graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communica- tions, Allie brings experience from Capitol Hill, where she most recent- ly served as Press Secretary for U.S. Congresswoman Laurel Lee. With a strong background in political and policy communications, Allie is pas- sionate about crafting stories that resonate and driving effective mes- saging in fast-paced environments. These hires reflect PLASTICS’ com - mitment to strategic communica- tions and proactive engagement with the public, policymakers, and the media that support a strong, innovative, and sustainable plastics industry. www.plasticsindustry.org New Recycling Is Real Videos Released The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released a series of new videos as part of the Recycling Is Real advocacy initiative. The vid - eos showcase the recycling work taking place at the Five Star Family of Companies’ facility in Houston, Texas, where employees are turning used plastic bags into new bags and other products. Since its launch in 2023, PLASTICS’ Recycling Is Real campaign has highlighted both mechanical and advanced recycling facilities throughout the United States. Employees featured in each video represent the recycling workforce in communities nationwide. Previ - ously featured locations include: Atlanta, GA; Kingsport, TN; Madi - son, WI; North Vernon, IN; Baton Rouge, LA; Portland, PA; Eagle Rock, VA; Rialto, CA; Wytheville, VA; Piqua, OH; Reidsville, NC; Tam - pa, FL; Chino, CA; Ironton, OH; and Farmingdale, NY. “In Texas and across America, your plastic bags can be recycled, and Five Star Family of Companies is doing it every day,” said PLASTICS President and CEO Matt Seaholm. “Our Recycling Is Real campaign highlights the dedicated workforce and innovations driving recycling efforts across the country. Through these new videos, we’re proud to show the public and policymakers that plastic recycling is not only real it’s practical, effective, and critical to building a stronger, more circular economy.” Tim White, Chief Strategy Officer of Five Star Family of Companies said, “We have been collecting, sorting, washing, and recycling post-consumer waste at Five Star for decades. Our investment in re - cycling capabilities has allowed us to develop products and closed- loop programs with our custom- ers that reclaim tens of millions of pounds of plastic waste each year and employ hundreds of families in Houston. We are proud of our peo - ple, our innovation, and our recy- cling operations and we are excited to showcase this in the Recycling Is Real video series.” The Recycling Is Real campaign provides content to help elected of- ficials and policymakers understand that recycling is a vital link in the sus- tainability and circularity chain, en- abling them to make well-informed decisions about recycling infrastruc- ture and support. The Recycling Is Real campaign was launched to combat false nar- ratives suggesting that recycling is not happening or that it’s a “myth.” With some seeking to reduce or eliminate plastic production alto- gether, Recycling Is Real demon- strates where and how recycling occurs and introduces the people making it happen. To view Recycling Is Real featuring Five Star Family of Companies. https://recyclingisreal.com/five-star/