Neil A Conway

Taxes based on electricity bills Some plastics recyclers in China are facing a new taxation method – taxes will be calculated and collected based on a company’s electricity usage instead of reported business revenues. Tax authorities in Wuning, Zhejiang province, believe this will be a good solution to problems caused by plastics recyclers, especially small […]

Are jobs overrated? With Washington so focused on the economy, I can’t resist sharing a sure-to-be controversial column from CNN.com that questions the importance of jobs. Author Douglas Rushkoff asserts in “Are jobs obsolete?” that, as a result of changes in the economy,… […]

An update on Wisconsin’s plastics-to-Army family Here’s a sad update to an earlier story: Michelle Caudle, the wife of the former manager at a plastics compounder who joined the U.S. Army at age 39, has died of cancer. You may recall that Bill Caudle joined the… […]

Going for the Green Although the politics usually doesn't start until they officially open, the 2012 Olympics is already seeing its share. A London environmental group, Greener Upon Thames, called on the London Olympic Games Committee to make the games the "greenest" ever, and ban plastic bans. Although they sent petit […]

Green Medals? A grassroots group wants to ban plastic bags at the Olympics. But with sports attire, shoes, and equipment so critically dependent on polymers and sports-related design technology, are the Olympic Games a showcase for plastics as well as athletics, or something that should be shunned? The preceding […]

Thoughts on bag hoarding and self-destructing plastic U.S. readers might believe California is ground zero for the debate on plastic bag taxes and bans. But long-time plastics Blog readers know that the latest wave of anti-bag legislation actually originated in the United Kingdom. Film maker Rebecca Hosking… […]

Feel-good story of the day: Llamas plastics The Los Angeles Daily News has a nice story today about a Sylmar, Calif., plastics company that hires local foster youths. “Molding a brighter future” tells the story of Oswaldo “Ozzy” Llamas, founder of Llamas plastics Inc., a manufacturer of… […]

US plastics sector ‘on the edge’ U.S. manufacturing is at a “critical crossroads” according to a new report from consulting firm Booz & Co., with the plastics sector “on the edge” — it could become a global competitor or see its operations displaced to other countries…. […]

Changshu aims to grow auto industry As China’s auto market continues to rapidly expand, local governments are putting in place plans and policies to attract auto-related business. Having already convinced Toyota to set up its China R&D base there, Changshu of Jiangsu province is trying to leverage that and draw suppliers. “The Yangtze Delta region […]

Remember the concept of employee benefits? Newell Rubbermaid posted a news release today on its plans to open a premium child care center at its headquarters in Georgia. That got me thinking about how rare it is these days for companies to promote that they offer… […]