Archives: News

Legislative Update: Congress Faces Delays and Uncertainty in the Federal Appropriations Process

June 11, 2026
Congress Faces Delays and Uncertainty in the Federal Appropriations Process  Congress is widely expected to miss the Oct. 1 deadline for completing fiscal year 2027 appropriations, continuing a long-running pattern of delayed spending bills and raising the possibility that the next Congress could inherit unfinished...
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Why Circularity is Key to Long-Term PVC Sustainability

June 11, 2026
TL;DR: Circularity is becoming a major part of long-term PVC sustainability efforts. By keeping vinyl materials in use through recycling, recovery, and reuse, organizations can reduce waste, conserve resources, and support more sustainable manufacturing systems. Circularity focuses on extending the life of PVC materials instead...

Vinyl Records: Everlasting Music, Modern Products

June 10, 2026
From the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” in 1966 to Taylor Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” today, vinyl records are a mainstay in music and art culture. Their combination of nostalgia and utility have turned a whole new generation into collectors. The music medium endures in...

Legislative Update: Rail Merger Faces Heightened Scrutiny as STB Orders Additional Information and Broad Opposition Challenges The Merger

May 28, 2026
Rail Merger Faces Heightened Scrutiny as STB Orders Additional Information and Broad Opposition Challenges The Merger The Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued a May 28 decision accepting the revised merger application between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern for review, but placed the proceedings and environmental...

Middle East Conflict Highlights the Importance of PVC Recycling

May 21, 2026
TL;DR: Global events can feel far removed from day‑to‑day manufacturing decisions. But the conflict in Iran serves as a stark reminder of just how interconnected energy markets, materials supply chains, and recycling systems really are. Look no further than this recent piece from Plastics News....

Legislative Update: Senators Show Broad Bipartisan Support for Preserving SRFs Despite Administration’s Efforts To Cut Funding

May 14, 2026
Senators Show Broad Bipartisan Support for Preserving SRFs Despite Administration’s Efforts To Cut Funding On May 13, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin testified before the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee in a hearing on EPA’s FY2027 budget request.  The hearing highlighted a familiar but increasingly sharpened divide...

Legislative Update: House Key Procedural Hurdle to Move Forward with Reconciliation, the Farm Bill, and Seek End to the Partial Government Shutdown

April 30, 2026
House Key Procedural Hurdle to Move Forward with Reconcilation, the Farm Bill, and Seek End to the Partial Government Shutdown House Republican leaders narrowly advanced (216-210) a procedural rule to move forward with three must-pass legislative priorities–Farm Bill, FISA reauthorization, and a Budget resolution–overcoming internal...

Recap of 2026 Vinyl Industry Congressional Fly-In

April 30, 2026
On April 21st and 22nd, vinyl industry leaders visited Washington, D.C. to participate in the Vinyl Institute’s annual Congressional Fly-In. This event always provides an excellent opportunity for our organization’s members to share their firsthand experiences and concerns with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. This year,...