With sales way up, the company expanded into fertilizers, plastic sheets, food processing and solar water heaters.

FORBES: Drop By Drop

While some transactions made with MasterPass would have otherwise traveled over MasterCard's processing network via use of a plastic card, Mr. McLaughlin said the service can help improve the shopping experience for consumers, potentially increasing overall use.

WSJ: Card Networks Take on Plastic With Mobile Platforms

In New Zealand Scion Research works to convert the waste stream from pulp and paper processing into a blend of microbial cell wall debris and plastic called polyhydroxyalkanoate, or PHA. Plant a PHA flower pot into the ground and and it biodegrades.

FORBES: Revving Up Nature's Engines

But due diligence for Summa--which makes plastic components like filters, valves and conveyor belts for lighting, electrical devices and food processing--is a devotional exercise.

FORBES: The Race To Embrace

But due diligence for Summa--which makes such plastic components as filters, valves and conveyor belts for lighting, electrical devices and food processing--is a devotional exercise.

FORBES: The Race To Embrace

The application, which can be downloaded for free, charges vendors a credit card processing fee of 1.8 percent plus 15 cents per transaction, assuming you're swiping plastic from MasterCard, Visa or Discover.

ENGADGET