Everyday Plastics Blog

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 shops, failing to report revenues truthfully, according to the Dongyang Daily.

Two different formulas have been developed: one for those that sort and clean the scrap, and one for those that reprocess the waste into pellets.

I wonder how accurate and effective the formulas are, but no details are available. If this new method proves to effective, it will likely to be adapted in other regions.

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…

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 houses 60 percent of China’s auto suppliers and 90 percent of the mold and equipment manufacturers. Changshu is strategically located in the center of the Yangtze River delta with highway, river transportation and seaport,” a Toyota official was quoted as saying.

Toyota established the wholly owned Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) in November to focus on developing vehicles that meet the needs and wants of Chinese consumers. The company expects to eventually grow the R&D staff there to 1,000, according to a recent Nikkei Business report.

Changshu officials pledge to provide “the best business environment and living environment” to business, particularly small and midsized ones.

Electronic components maker Bi Technologies is in the process of building a plant in Changshu. It is crucial for small and midsized companies to choose the right industrial cluster with the right mix of companies for an overseas site, an official commented.

Fox News features MGS — and toolmaker shortages
Molder and mold maker MGS Manufacturing Group Inc. was featured in a Fox News report last night on the problems that some companies are having finding qualified workers for technical jobs. The report focuses on a problem that plastics News…

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…

Don Kruschke’s statement
Neil Kruschke Jr. may have left the plastics industry in 2009 when he sold Stopol Inc., but he left behind many friends and acquaintances. All were shocked to learn of 44-year-old Neil’s death on Friday in a chainsaw accident near…