
Product Innovations
Innovation has made plastic vital to modern life. And these innovations contribute tremendously to sustainability.
Product Innovations: Powering Safer, Smarter, and More Sustainable Solutions
Plastics drive innovation across America’s most vital industries — improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability in cars, infrastructure, packaging, and renewable energy. These materials reduce weight and waste while cutting emissions and costs. From safer cars to semiconductors, plastics innovations help the U.S. lead globally while delivering these benefits to people, communities, and the economy.
News and Insights on Plastics Innovations
Stay current with expert insights on how innovation is shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing and sustainability.

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Episode 61
The Road to Better Auto Recycling
Mark Bacchus of Toyota and Derick Corbett of Pull-A-PartIn this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn sits down with Mark Bacchus of Toyota and Derick Corbett of Pull-A-Part — one of the country’s largest automotive recyclers — to explore what really happens when a vehicle reaches the end of its life. They walk through the full lifecycle of a ‘retired’ car, from dismantling to the shredder, why some materials still end up in a landfill and how we can get closer to 100% recyclability. Mark and Derick make the case that profitability is the key to a fully circular auto industry. Plus, the fun stuff: first cars, favorite snacks and auto necessities.
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Episode 60
The Hidden Life of Packaging
Anita Budiman of Mars Snacking and John Avolio of Borouge InternationalIn this episode of Sustainably Speaking, host Mia Quinn heads to Chicago and an experiential grocery store to explore how the food and packaging industries are making everyday products more recyclable. Mia sits down with John Avolio of Borouge International and Anita Budiman of Mars Snacking to unpack what really happens to the packaging in your grocery cart. They discuss increasing post-consumer recycled content in packaging, the challenge of recycling food grade plastics, and why an iconic soda brand quietly dropped its signature green bottle. John and Anita explain the science behind mono material design, share the surprising reason dogs and cats help test recycled packaging, and offer simple, practical ways anyone can recycle smarter. Plus, the fun stuff: road-trip snacks, impressive hobbies, and each guest's walkout song.
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Episode 59
Recycling at Red Rocks
Katie Zarachowicz, Sustainability Administrator, Denver Arts & VenuesHost Mia Quinn returns to Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado — a venue she grew up visiting — to go behind the scenes of one of the most sustainable concert operations in the country. Mia sits down with Katie Zarachowicz, Sustainability Administrator for Denver Arts & Venues, to find out how Red Rocks consistently diverts 50% of its waste away from the landfill.
