This document proposes organizing a Plastic Waste Workgroup to address the growing issue of plastic waste. The Workgroup would bring together representatives from government, industry, and environmental groups to educate about and support solutions to barriers inhibiting increased recycling and use of recycled plastics. The proposed new non-profit organization would fund the Workgroup through grants and private funds, with the goal of increasing recycling and jobs while reducing plastic pollution. An extensive team from various sectors is listed to participate in the Workgroup.

1. ORGANIZATION NAME:
NEW ORGANIZATION, NAME TO
BE DETERMINED
Current Contact info:
Rita Lacey, Managing Member
Close the Loop, (www.closetheloop.com) founded in 2000, supports small, progressive,
environmentally responsible manufacturers who offer high quality & unique products
made from recycled waste tires, plastic milk jugs & glass bottles.
NOTE: This entry is based on a new company TBD, not on CLOSE THE LOOP, LLC due to
the 5-10% stake requirement in the “terms and conditions”.

2. Proposing Organizing a Waste
Plastic Workgroup
 In 2003, The Resource Conservation Challenge
(RCC) Scrap Tire Workgroup was formed to
prevent pollution and promote reuse and
recycling of waste tires; reduce toxic chemicals in
products, and conserve energy and materials. It
began with a collaboration of 85 members from
federal, state, industry and academia. We can do
the same with plastics, watch video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AArpPgcXaOA

3. How does a Plastic Waste
Workgroup solve the problem?
 Focusing on three activities to
enhance market growth:
 Educate producers and potential users
 Identify barriers and solutions
 Support activities that would overcome barriers
and implement solutions

4. How does it make money?
 New company would be a non-profit, funded
through government grants, or private
individuals/businesses. Mission is to organize
“Waste Plastic Workgroup” and increase
markets for new products which will increase
jobs (as in plastic asphalt production) and
reduce pollution and plastic waste.
 R&D for new products using waste
plastics, and provide educational materials.

5. Technology:
 Resources required to start group
 Seek to identify champions and encourage
participation of all states in the workgroup.
 Works mainly via:
 Conference calls
 E-mails
 Annual Meetings

6. Marketing/Sales Strategy:
 Through press releases throughout the
EPA, major news outlets, post information on
pertinent websites and develop fact sheets.
 Educate stakeholders and encourage CE (civil
engineering) applications of waste plastics.
 Identify limitations
 Address environmental concerns
 Social media

7. Competitors
 Promote all competitors with viable products:
plastic asphalt, plastic lumber, large and small
manufacturers who use a minimum of 65%
recycled plastic to make their products
(building materials, plastic
asphalt, appliances, toys, carpeting, etc).
Encourage large manufacturers to switch to
greater percentage of recycled
#1PET, #2HDPE, etc. in making their
products.

8. Who’s on the Team?
 EPA representative
 Electrolux (large manufacturer)
 Waste Not Technologies, LLC, Patrick Kelley, Managing Member, Saylorsburg, PA (small manufacturer)
 Cambria Plastics Recycling, Inc, HimanshuPandya, Johnstown, PA (small manufacturer)
 MRF (Material Recovery Facility) Operators: David Albright, Chestnuthill Township, Monroe County, PA
 Ken Prue, San Diego County Recycling Program Manager
 Waste Management, John Kelly, Grayslake, IL
 Recycle America
 BFI waste management
 Marine Researchers, Algalita Marine Research Foundation, Environmentalists
 Huffington Post: John DeCock
 Cradle to Cradle: William McDonough
 Plastic Pollution Coalition
 Janet Unruh, Recycle Everything Author, http://www.recycleeverythingbook.org/
 PROP ~ Professional Recyclers of PAPA Recycling Markets Center
 Plastics Brokers
 Landfill Operator: Grand Central in Wind Gap, PA
 Recyclebank, Philadelphia
 Interface Carpet
 Architects, Civil Engineers, Contractors, Policy makers, Political Leaders
 Durable Goods Manufactures - http://www.nurserysupplies.com/
 Others: mobile phone company, car company, furniture makers, sporting goods, toys, electronics equip mfg, Non-durable Goods
Manufacturers - cleaning supply company, packaging, containers, Bag makers – Hefty, Plastic Pallet makers - Chambers Packaging,
Pittsburgh, Plastic Extruders / Plastics Manufacturers - there are many listed on http://www.thomasnet.com/ (search "plastic parts”)
 Recycled Plastic Product Marketing: Close the Loop, LLC, Rita Lacey, Kunkletown, PA

9. Financials:
 Revenue 3 years out, estimated at $ 300,000
 Revenue 5 years out, estimated at $ 1M
 Money could be used for holding annual
events to bring team together, and awarded
to product manufacturers that pledge to use
recycled raw material in their product
(verifiably 65% or greater) and empower
businesses with advanced solutions.

10. Sustainability:
 This new company would be ecologically sound ~
Success of goal will be measured by increased
plastics recycling rates and reduced disposal of
waste plastic in landfills.
The Plastics Workshop would be broken up into
smaller committees like:
 1)Plastic Collection/Sortation and Recycling
 2)Manufacturing with Recycled Plastics
 3)Designing Products for ease of recycling /
disassembling
 4)Civil Engineering Applications of Waste Plastics
 5)Human and Marine Impact of Waste Plastics

11. Current Status:
 I have operated a small business for 12 years
online at www.closetheloop.com. I would use
the prize money to setup a new non-profit
business to tackle waste plastic issues and open
up communications between all committed
parties in the proposed “Plastic Waste
Workgroup”. I had approached the EPA in 2010
with this idea, which they liked, but could not
fund, due to the fact that Close the Loop, LLC
was not a non-profit organization.