David FINK


David Fink currently serves as the President of the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) and Chair of the Plastic Pipes Conference Association (PPCA). Appointed in January 2020, David leads PPI, North America’s premier trade association representing all facets of the plastics piping industry. Under his leadership, PPI continues to advocate for the innovative and sustainable use of plastic pipe systems, while PPCA focuses on the global dissemination of technical and application knowledge to advance the safe and efficient use of plastic pipe systems worldwide.

Before joining PPI, David accumulated over 13 years of executive management experience as Senior Vice President at WL Plastics, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company. His tenure included oversight of board-level decisions, market research and analysis, and responsibilities spanning HDPE pipe sales, marketing, engineering, safety, and quality.

David’s career also includes a notable 12-year period at The Dow Chemical Company, where he specialized in sales, marketing, and business management with a particular emphasis on plastic pipe resins. His extensive industry experience is further underscored by his previous role as Chairman of the PPI Board and his ongoing involvement with various industry organizations, including The Alliance for PE Pipe, ASTM, AGA, and AWWA.

David holds degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, reflecting his deep technical expertise. He resides in the Dallas area with his wife, Brittainy, and their two sons, Logan and Tyler.

  ABSTRACt

ID31: Sustainability Developments in the USA

In North America, the landscape for sustainability continues to evolve for plastic piping systems. In recent years, multiple states and even the Canadian EPA have moved to ban certain single use plastics items.  While these bans have yet to directly impact plastics piping materials, the packaging used for pipe bundles and bags for electro-fusion fittings may fall within the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for the manufacturer of these piping system products.

EPR and recycling programs are expanding in the United States with several states having passed EPR laws for packaging with others in the process of introducing legislation.  Recycling is being challenged at the state and federal levels which has prompted industry campaigns to legitimize the recycling industry1.

Brand owners have begun evaluating and requesting information on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon footprints of materials and products in their supply chains.   While much of the focus today remains on single use disposable items construction materials (pipe) are being discussed as future opportunities for GHG reduction.

For plastics piping materials to not only survive but thrive work is needed in North America to better define the sustainability, resiliency and overall environmental impact of our plastics piping products.  The plastics pipe associations’ strategy for meeting the industry’s needs in these areas continues to grow and evolve in an effort to meeting the increasing demands for information in order for end users to feel confident in their selection of piping materials.