media release

Date: October 18, 2017
Contact: Courtney Karr, Marketing and Education Manager, +913.345.1005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​

IAPD Announces 2017 Environmental Excellence Award Recipients

Overland Park, KS —The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), the international trade association comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacturer of performance plastics, is pleased to announce the following recipients of its annual Environmental Excellence Award:
​

Best Overall Program - Isik Plastik A.S.
Gold - Curbell Plastics, Inc., Cope Plastics, Inc. and SEKISUI Polymer Innovations, LLC
Silver - Laird Plastics, SIMONA America Inc., Piedmont Plastics, Polymer Industries, Palram American Inc., Spartech LLC and Cast Nylons Ltd.
Bronze - Finger Lakes Extrusion Corporation, Asahi/America, Inc. and Colorado Plastics Products

The recipients were honored at the opening general session at the 61st Annual IAPD Convention and Plastics Expo today in Chicago, IL, USA by IAPD President Mitch Opalich and Vice President Rick Gough.

"The Environmental Committee congratulates the 2017 Environmental Awards winners, especially during a year in which we received the highest number of submissions since the award was established," said IAPD Environmental Committee Chair Allan Harari. "Clearly, IAPD members are investing more in sustainability measures and demonstrating a growing commitment to increasing their levels of environmental stewardship during the manufacturing and distribution of multi-use performance plastics."

The awards were established by the IAPD Environmental Committee in 2008 as a way to celebrate the environmentally responsible practices of IAPD member companies, including recycling, conservation, community outreach, employee engagement and more. The award application assigns a point value to sustainability practices in each of these categories. Awards are determined based on a point system. There were a record-breaking number of applications this year and more awards received than ever.

Isik Plastik A.S. received a Best Overall Program award for earning the most points. Curbell Plastics, Inc., Cope Plastics, Inc. and SEKISUI Polymer Innovations, LLC received a Gold level award because the company earned more than 150 points based on their environmentally conscious practices. The seven companies that received a Silver level award earned between 125 and 149 points. The three companies that received a Bronze level award earned between 100 and 124 points.

"IAPD is proud to honor the accomplishments of these 15 companies with the Environmental Excellence Award. Life cycle analyses show that performance plastics are often the most environmentally friendly material to use for applications and as shown in the examples from Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products, the manufacturing of those plastics can also be done in an environmentally responsible manner," said IAPD Chief Executive Officer Susan Avery, CAE.

Any IAPD member company is eligible to apply for the IAPD Annual Environmental Excellence Awards. Applications are collected online in the months prior to the convention. In addition to the awards program, the IAPD GreenScene(TM) program honors all member companies that are engaging in environmentally friendly practices. IAPD GreenScene(TM) members are determined based on receiving at least 100 points on the GreenScene(TM) application.

About IAPD

The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), established in 1956, brings together performance plastics distributors, fabricators, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, recyclers and service providers in an environment which encourages a free flow of ideas and information that help members build their businesses. Every program and service we provide is designed with the simple goal of helping our members increase profitability. Membership in IAPD is an affordable business investment. IAPD provides training, connections with customers and suppliers and information about developments that impact the industry.

This release and more are available in IAPD’s Press Room.

###