PlastiVan, Plastics Pioneers receive donations

SAN ANTONIO — Two plastics efforts related to education were scheduled to receive significant donations on Feb. 21.

The National Plastics Center planned to present the Society of Plastics Engineers with $200,000 to support the PlastiVan program, which sends PlastiVans to schools and companies throughout North America to educate people about the chemistry, history, processing, manufacturing, sustainability and applications of plastics.

“The PlastiVan program brings the science of plastics to grades K-12 to both educate and inspire these students to continue with careers in the plastics industry,” said Jay Gardiner, president of Gardiner Plastics Inc., who presented the check to SPE on behalf of the National Plastics Center Board.

The National Plastics Center, a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the past, addressing the present and promoting the future of plastics through public education and awareness, recognized SPE for its unwavering commitment to the growth of the PlastiVan program. The $200,000 donation is in addition to a previous $47,000 donation from the National Plastics Center to ensure the growth and future of the PlastiVan program.

The donation was scheduled to be presented during the Plastics Pioneers Association's winter meeting in San Antonio.

Donation for Plastics Pioneers Education Fund

The other effort to receive a donation at the meeting was the Plastics Pioneers Education Fund. The Plastics Academy and the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. planned to present the fund with a $5,000 check, to support future education programs and scholarships.

The Plastics Academy, SPI and the Future of Plastics Foundations have agreed to donate 10 percent of the net proceeds from the 2015 Plastics Hall of Fame induction ceremony to the PPA Education Fund. PPA is scheduled to receive a second check this fall.

The Plastics Hall of Fame ceremony will take place March 22 at the NPE 2015 trade show in Orlando, Fla.

“Supporting plastics education through the PPA Education Fund is just one way that plastics professionals can invest in our industry's future. By supporting the fund, SPI, the Plastics Academy and the Future of Plastics Foundation are demonstrating our commitment to creating new opportunities for young people to discover exciting new careers in plastics,” said Bill Carteaux, president and CEO of Washington-based SPI.

The Plastics Hall of Fame honors individuals for their contributions to the plastics industry at large. This year, the Plastics Academy, under the auspices of SPI, will welcome nine new inductees into the Plastics Hall of Fame. Tickets for the event can be purchased when registering for NPE 2015 or from SPI's website, www.plasticsindustry.org.