Plastic Products Manufacturers NAICS 3261

Jan 27, 2026 - USPP Goals Reset

• The US Plastics Pact’s latest report reveals rising pressure on packaging companies to work toward the goal of a circular economy for plastic, Packaging Dive reports. While participants fell short of the original 2025 targets, Roadmap 2.0 resets the timeline to 2030 and outlines clearer expectations around design, recycled content, and material elimination. For manufacturers, the report reveals accelerating demand for plastic packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable (now at 54%, targeting 100% by 2030) and for higher levels of post‑consumer or biobased content (currently 14%, targeting 30%). The Pact’s 2026 priorities include identifying chemicals to phase out, boosting film‑recycling infrastructure, and advancing reuse systems, which will impact material selection, product design, and investment decisions. Brands and retailers are pushing harder for sustainable plastic packaging, meaning manufacturers that innovate early in recyclability, material reduction, and circular‑ready designs will be best positioned for future market demand.
• California’s attorney general has sued three plastic bag makers alleging they deceived consumers over whether the bags were ultimately recycled, The Wall Street Journal reports. The AG filed suit against Novolex, Inteplast, and Mettler, alleging violations of environmental marketing claims and false advertising and unfair competition laws, according to WSJ. Meanwhile, California is settling with four plastic bag producers: Revolution Sustainable Solutions, Metro Poly, PreZero US Packaging, and Advance Polybag, resolving allegations that they violated the same laws. As part of the settlement, the companies have agreed to halt plastic bag sales in California and collectively pay more than $1.75 million, per WSJ. California law has specific recyclability standards to reduce plastic pollution and waste: plastic bags are only allowed if they are recyclable, clearly labeled as such, and include instructions for consumers to recycle them.

• As of September 8, 2025 imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and recycled PET (rPET) were subject to full tariffs, Plastics Today reports. Previously, the materials, used in packaging and fabrics, were exempt from the heightened tariffs. Now, reciprocal tariffs on PET and rPET range from 15% on Turkey to 35% for Canada, according to business intelligence organization ICIS. The Asia Pacific region faces tariffs in the 20% range and India could face tariffs as high as 50%, according to S&P Global. Over the last three years, the US rPET market has been overwhelmed by international supply, according to ICIS, and one domestic producer it cited said its PET sales volume has dropped 10% year-on-year. As a result of the reciprocal tariffs, imported flake prices could jump 8-10 cents per pound and imported pellets could soar as much as 10-14 cents per pound, per ICIS.
• Producer prices for plastic products manufacturers inched up 0.5% in September compared to a year ago, after rising 1.3% in the previous September-versus-September annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Producer prices for plastic products manufacturers have flatlined despite rising sales. Employment by the industry was unchanged in August compared to a year ago, while average wages at plastics and rubber product manufacturers continued to climb, up 3.1% YoY in September, to $25.59 per hour, pennies shy of their record high in June, BLS data show.