Building Stronger Communities Through Litter Cleanups

Through the Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) Community Impact Task Group, young professionals across the plastics industry are creating meaningful opportunities to give back to the communities where they live, work, and play. One of their most impactful initiatives has been community litter cleanups – bringing people together to make a visible difference. 

This October marked our third annual litter cleanup led by the task group, and we couldn’t be prouder. Ahead of the inaugural National Plastics Conference, an enthusiastic group of 41 plastic professionals gathered at Woodland Park in Houston, TX, ready to roll up their sleeves and make an impact towards a cleaner environment. The cleanup resulted in a whopping 51 bags of mismanaged products and materials removed from the park—proof that small actions can lead to big change! 

Heather Neilan of PLASTICS remarked, “It’s incredible to see what a few hours of teamwork can accomplish. Knowing we’re contributing to a cleaner, healthier community makes it all worth it.” 

Plastics professionals are committed to keeping plastics where they belong—in our economy, not our environment. That’s why our volunteers proudly wore the message: “We love plastic. We hate plastic waste.” on their shirts. 

We’re incredibly grateful for the participation from our volunteers, the tremendous contributions from our supporters, and the guidance from Friends of Woodland Park and Keep Houston Beautiful, who helped with the day’s logistics. To show our appreciation, a donation was made to both of these organizations for their incredible work improving the community and promoting environmental stewardship. 

But the momentum doesn’t stop there. This year, nine companies joined our Cleanup Champions Initiative, demonstrating that the drive to better our communities goes far beyond one event. Each Cleanup Champion rallied colleagues, family, and friends to tackle litter in their local areas. With over 600 volunteers pitching in overall, the impact has been extraordinary! 

Here are just a few inspiring reflections from our Cleanup Champions: 

• “The cleanup was important to me and our company because we are deeply committed to strengthening our community and educating youth about the importance of plastics. Involving high school students helped instill environmental values and the practicalities of recycling. Seeing their enthusiasm was truly rewarding!” – Chloe Linsmeier, Advanced Blending Solutions 
• “We timed our cleanup right before our local community festival to create a clean and safe space for the celebration. It was amazing to see our team working side by side, giving back to the community we cherish. Their dedication ensured a welcoming environment for families to enjoy.” – Kate Whitling, Schake Industries, Inc. 
• “This event has become a yearly favorite for our volunteers. Moving forward, we want to find ways to engage participants even further and inspire others to join the effort!” – Russel Glorioso, Covestro 

Looking to make a difference in your own community? You’re invited to join the movement! 

• Check out the Guide to Planning a Litter Cleanup – Open to everyone! 
• Sign up for the 2025 Cleanup Champions Initiative – Rally your colleagues, friends, and family to host a cleanup next year. Open to PLASTICS members. Sign up here. 

Together, we can build cleaner, stronger communities while showcasing the plastics industry’s dedication to environmental stewardship. Let’s make 2025 even bigger and better—see you out at the next clean up!