Silgan Plastics

06/01/2026

Mindful Monday

The high cost of PCR has many brand owners looking to balance the demand for recycled content with consumers' needs for affordability. What many don't understand is that, in order to drive prices down, we need more companies including PCR in their products and packaging.

What if the recycled plastics industry is facing two completely different problems at the same time?

Today, many recyclers are struggling with weak demand.

Tomorrow, we may be struggling with insufficient supply.

Sounds contradictory?

Yet both can be true.

Today's reality:
1. Recycled materials are available
2. Virgin resin is often cheaper
3.Buyers still prioritize cost
4. Demand remains inconsistent
5. Quality and food-contact requirements remain challenges

As a result, many recycling facilities are operating below their full potential.

But fast forward a few years...

Governments around the world are accelerating:

1. Recycled-content mandates
2. EPR regulations
3. Circular economy policies
4. Sustainability reporting requirements

At the same time, brand owners are increasing their recycled-content commitments.

This raises an important question:

If everyone wants more recycled content by 2030... where will the material come from?

Will collection systems, recycling infrastructure, food-grade approvals, and feedstock availability scale fast enough to keep pace?

In my view, the real challenge is not choosing between a demand crisis and a supply crisis.

It is:
Building demand today while preparing supply for tomorrow.
Because the future of circular packaging may not be defined by demand alone. It may be defined by how well we balance both sides.

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

“Eco-friendly.”
“Green.”
“Sustainable.”

Sounds good. But where is the proof?

Greenwashing thrives when brands use big impact words without clear data, timelines, or verification. Real sustainability should be measurable, traceable, and transparent.

Before you trust a claim, ask:
• What is being measured?
• What is the unit and timeframe?
• Who verified it?
• Where can I see the proof?

If a brand can’t answer, it’s not impact. It’s marketing.
Save this checklist for your next “sustainable” purchase.

Read more in our blog. Link in the comments.

05/27/2026

In this week’s Material Insights, senior reporter Frank Esposito examines how the recent polyethylene supply shock tied to the Iran conflict is drawing comparisons to the early days of the Covid pandemic.

05/27/2026

A recent editorial by Plastics News reflects an important shift in the conversation around PET ( #1 plastic) and circularity.

For years, the focus has largely centered on sustainability goals and recycled-content targets. Those goals remain critical—but growing attention is now being paid to the systems required to make circularity work in practice: 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

The editorial recognized the efforts of both NAPCOR and The Association of Plastic Recyclers in raising awareness about the mounting pressures facing the US PET recycling system, including facility closures, flat collection rates, global market volatility, and rising imports of recycled material.

As demand for recycled content continues to rise, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

Read more in our latest blog post: https://napcor.com/blog/growing-focus-on-pet-recycling-realities/

05/26/2026

PET bottle resin prices climbed again in April as stronger U.S. beverage demand and Iran conflict disruptions tightened global supply.

North America imports a significant share of its PET supply, leaving the market vulnerable to overseas feedstock and logistics disruptions.

Read what is driving the latest pressure across packaging and beverage markets. https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-prices/pn-pet-4-26/

05/26/2026

Recycle more, use less resources. ♻️

Packaging and products made from recycled materials use less natural resources than those made from raw materials. Recycle to give materials a new life!

05/21/2026

Recycled HDPE prices are climbing fast as Middle East conflict and oil market disruptions tighten resin supply worldwide.

Post-consumer HDPE pellets and flake each jumped 10 cents per pound, while recyclers face mixed demand signals from the slowing housing market.

Industry leaders say the volatility could become a defining moment for recyclers that can consistently deliver quality and supply when brands need it most.

Read more about what rising virgin resin prices could mean for recycled plastics markets and brand commitments. https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-prices/pn-2026-recycled-resin-pricing-hdpe-may/

05/21/2026

See the Plastics News pricing charts at https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-prices/north-america/ -plastics