Social Media Policy


  1. Purpose

Social Media is constantly changing the way we connect. Social media consists of websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. For example, a person posting a new product on LinkedIn for their connections is using social media. It helps us start new relationships with customers and colleagues from around the globe. These Social Media Guidelines have been developed to help you to be aware of your rights and obligations and to empower you to communicate the positive vision of the PolyWrap Recycling, Inc. brand.

This policy is not intended to interfere with your legally protected rights or to prohibit communications protected by local law.

This Social Media Policy is designed to:

  • help prevent disclosure of PolyWrap Recycling Inc.’s confidential business information through the use of Social Media;
  • clarify the parameters for official PolyWrap Recycling Inc. spokespersons to communicate on Social Media
  • identify the risks associated with directly associating your social media presence with PolyWrap Recycling, Inc.;
  • clarify the parameters for personal PolyWrap Recycling Inc. employee and PolyWrap Recycling Inc. representative Social Media communications; and reflect our legal obligations.

You have a responsibility to be familiar with and comply with this policy. And, because Social Media is used in a variety of ways, you’ll find specific expectations outlined below that may apply to your online activities.

  1. Applicability

This policy applies to the following:

  • PolyWrap Recycling, Inc. salary and hourly employees

With respect to consultants, agents, sales representatives, independent contractors, and contract workers (collectively, “PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Representatives”) this policy applies to them, when they act on behalf of PolyWrap Recycling, Inc..

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

A. Be Honest: Disclosing Your Identity

Whenever you’re talking online about the recycling or plastic industry or PolyWrap Recycling, Inc., you must disclose that you work for or with PolyWrap Recycling Inc. in every post. For example; include #IWorkForPolyWrapRecylingInc if you are an employee of PolyWrap Recycling Inc. and include #IWorkWithPolyWrapRecyclingInc if you are an agency, vendor or partner working with PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Including the #IWorkForPolyWrapRecyclingInc or the #IWorkWithPolyWrapRecyclingInc hashtags in your posts or tweets is a quick and easy way to provide appropriate disclosure. Note that even when you disclose your relationship to PolyWrap Recycling Inc., the other rules and guidance in this policy still apply.

Do not submit consumer reviews for PolyWrap Recycling Inc. products or competitive products. As employees of or partners with PolyWrap Recycling Inc., we have a natural bias and are not simply consumers. Because of this, posting reviews on Social Media is not appropriate.

In the United States, these principles are consistent with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidance on endorsements and testimonials. You can find the FTC Endorsement Guidelines here. The online disclosure of your connection to PolyWrap Recycling Inc. are equally important for any agency, vendor, partner, or similar third party who has connections to PolyWrap Recycling Inc. and is discussing PolyWrap Recycling Inc. or the recycling and plastic industry online.

PolyWrap Recycling Inc. also requires Social Media influencers and bloggers, who may be provided with product or information, to disclose any association they have with PolyWrap Recycling Inc. to their readers when posting anything about PolyWrap Recycling Inc. or its products or services. Any employee and/or agency partner who is responsible for this type of activity must ensure this policy is followed and that there are mechanisms in place to monitor influencers’ and bloggers’ compliance.

B. Be Clear: Your Views Are Your Own

Only official PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Social Media spokespeople can officially speak on behalf of PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Even when you have identified yourself as working for PolyWrap Recycling Inc. (including on your Social Media profiles such as but not limited to Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and/or Facebook), make sure you are clear that the views and opinions you have expressed are your own, and not those of PolyWrap Recycling Inc., when you are discussing PolyWrap Recycling Inc. or its products or services. If you think that an “official” PolyWrap Recycling Inc. response may be required, contact the PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Social Media Team at kflanigan@lfpublicrelations.com.

C. Be Careful: What You Share And How You Share It

Social media is everywhere. With the technology-enabled integration between our professional and personal lives growing more and more seamless, it is understandable that you might want to discuss PolyWrap Recycling Inc. and the recycling and plastic industry with your personal friends and connections. You cannot do so in an official capacity as a representative of PolyWrap Recycling Inc. unless you are an authorized spokesperson or you are sharing an approved post from the Social Media Team. Also, it is important to be aware of some of the risks associated with social media, not only for your personal information, but also for your professional reputation. No PolyWrap Recycling Inc. employee should ever mandate another employee to use any type of personal social media profile, or make any post on the company’s behalf. Once you make the choice to acknowledge your affiliation with PolyWrap Recycling Inc. in the social space, any activity you make online may be associated back to your employment at PolyWrap Recycling Inc., potentially impacting your professional reputation. Any social media activity relating to PolyWrap Recycling Inc. or its products or services should comprehend the guidance in this Social Media Policy.

You are personally responsible for your words and actions, so use good judgment. Be honest, truthful and appropriate throughout your Social Media communications. Keep in mind, your posts can potentially tarnish reputations or infringe on the rights of someone else (including PolyWrap Recycling Inc. and its employees).

Be sure your online postings about PolyWrap Recycling Inc. or its products or services are accurate and not misleading. Do not post any information or rumors that you suspect or know to be false about PolyWrap Recycling Inc., other employees, customers, suppliers or competitors. If you make a mistake, correct it quickly. Remember that information travels quickly on the Internet and even deleted posts may be recovered.

Do not agree to terms that bind PolyWrap Recycling Inc., or that would give the site rights to content that belongs to PolyWrap Recycling Inc., its licensors, licensees, customers, or other related entities.

Remember that you are personally responsible for complying with the rules of use or terms and conditions of any Social Media site where you participate, and that they differ from site to site. Be familiar with them before you engage.

  1. Protecting PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Information

You should never reveal non-public company information, financial or otherwise, on a site accessible to anyone outside of PolyWrap Recycling Inc. You also should not comment in Social Media about information or topics covered by the attorney-client privilege.

Examples of prohibited disclosures include:

  • Knowledge of potential acquisitions or divestitures
  • Future product launches
  • Financial information
  • Marketing plans
  • Production schedules
  • Material costs or profit margins
  • Management or staffing changes
  • Trade secrets or information that gives PolyWrap Recycling Inc. a competitive advantage
  • Information directly or indirectly related to the safety performance of PolyWrap Recycling Inc. products
  • PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Secret, Confidential or Attorney-Client Privileged information
  • Undisclosed personal information about another PolyWrap Recycling Inc. employee, such as his or her medical condition, performance, employment status, or government identifier/social security number
  • Undisclosed information about PolyWrap Recycling Inc. customers or suppliers.

In addition, you should not comment publicly on any product recalls or pending litigation.

Remember that many of your actions on social media, such as “liking”, “commenting”, and “checking-in” (i.e., establishing a geo-location using GPS to place yourself on social networks) may be visible to others in the social media community, including those outside of your immediate friend/follower network. Keep in mind that such actions could potentially reveal information that may be intended to give PolyWrap Recycling Inc. a competitive business advantage and could be harmful to the Company if made public.

When taking photos in PolyWrap Recycling Inc. locations, even if photography is permitted, it remains important to be careful not to disclose competitively significant or other confidential information. For example, if you are posting photos, ensure that images or words in the background do not unintentionally reveal PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Confidential Information (for example, a team photo with a visible client list in the background). Do not incorporate image files of PolyWrap Recycling Inc. logos, trademarks or other assets in your posts. When using the PolyWrap Recycling Inc. website, or when posting about PolyWrap Recycling Inc.’s products or services, make sure you do not post content without securing all necessary permissions first. However, if you are posting content directly from PolyWrap Recycling Inc. sites, PolyWrap Recycling Inc. logos may be automatically attached; and that is okay.

Keep in mind that representatives from PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Social Media Team are available to assist with any questions; but if you are unsure whether the information in your post falls into one of the above categories and would violate this policy, DO NOT SHARE.

  1. Protecting Other Peoples’ Information

As you use Social Media, you should always be mindful of the rights of others.

Many Social Media sites impose restrictions regarding proprietary information and content; confidentiality; and the brands, trademarks and copyrights of others. It is important to be mindful of these restrictions when quoting others or sharing photos, music, videos or other content and not to post material that would potentially violate copyright infringement laws, intellectual property laws, publicity laws, or trademark laws.

When using the PolyWrap Recycling Inc. website, or when posting about PolyWrap Recycling Inc.’s products or services, make sure you do not post content without securing all necessary permissions first.

You should not post personal information about another person, such as his or her medical condition, performance, employment status, or government identifier/social security number. Hurt feelings, damaged relationships and even lawsuits can result from bringing other people or their property into an online setting without their permission.

D. Be Respectful

Remember that customers, colleagues, supervisors, suppliers, competitors and other members of the public may have access to your posts. These individuals reflect a diverse set of customs, values and viewpoints. Offensive, demeaning, abusive or inappropriate remarks (including threats of violence or bullying) are as out-of-place online as they are offline, even if they are unintentional. Posting offensive language or pictures could contribute to co-workers’ hostile work environment claims on the basis of race, age, gender, disability, religion, or any other status protected by the law or PolyWrap Recycling Inc. policy. It will also likely diminish the trust and respect your co-workers have for you and reflect badly on you and PolyWrap Recycling Inc.

We expect you to abide by the same standards of behavior in your Social Media communications as you do in the workplace, because what you say in your personal Social Media channels impacts the work environment. Your online communications will not be excused merely because they occurred outside of work hours or off PolyWrap premises.

Think carefully about “friending” co-workers (including leaders or direct reports) on external Social Media sites. For example, consider whether a friend request may be viewed by the recipient as harassing, intimidating or unwelcomed. Conversely, you should not feel pressured to accept friend or follower requests from those you work with. It’s your choice how much you want to combine your personal and professional online lives.

In addition, you should refrain from posting content that may be construed as grossly offensive or of menacing character, or causing inconvenience, annoyance, danger, obstruction or insult. You should also be cautious about publishing any content on Social Media, which could be construed as contempt of court, i.e. publication which is calculated to bring a Court or a Judge into contempt, or to lower his authority, or to interfere with the due course of justice or the lawful process of the Court.

E. Be Aware: Online Communications Travel Fast, Remain Forever and are Not Really “Private”

The internet is public, and it has a long memory. Even information you may think you have protected as “private” on some Social Media sites may be accessed by others. Consider everything you post to the Internet as potentially discoverable by anyone. Keep in mind that technology makes it virtually impossible to completely “delete” something online and incredibly easy to send a post to millions of other users. Before you share anything, make sure you will not regret saying it if a reporter, a relative, your manager or colleague were to view it.

PolyWrap Recycling Inc. is committed to maintain an appropriate workplace environment and ensuring proper use of its resources. Accordingly, PolyWrap Recycling Inc. may monitor, audit, store, retrieve, or otherwise capture any electronic activity on PolyWrap Recycling Inc. controlled or connected computing and communication resources (e.g., e-mail, voice mail, etc.). PolyWrap Recycling Inc. also determines what is considered acceptable use of PolyWrap Recycling Inc. computer or communications resources and reserves the right to block, alter or terminate access to any application or functionality that can be accessed through PolyWrap Recycling Inc. computers or communications resources.

The Controller retains the right to monitor all IT systems, including clouds, servers, clients, files, browsers, and e-mail, as well as physical areas of the business and/or work-related activities to protect PolyWrap Recycling Inc. and ensure the appropriate use of our resources and information assets in compliance with privacy law and in accordance with our policies.

F. Be Responsible

As a PolyWrap Recycling Inc. employee, you have the ultimate responsibility for policy compliance by third parties you oversee within the scope of your employment. For example, this includes PolyWrap suppliers, agencies or personal contacts you encourage to speak about PolyWrap and/or its products.

It is important that all partners understand the implications of referencing PolyWrap Recycling, Inc. and/or their relationship with PolyWrap Recycling Inc. and its products and/or services in all forms of Social Media and online conversations, and that associates recognize when PolyWrap Recycling, Inc. might be held responsible for their online behavior.

Furthermore, you should not open PolyWrap Recycling Inc. social media channels without approval from the PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Social Media Team. The PolyWrap Recycling, Inc. President and Vice President requests to open new PolyWrap Recycling, Inc. social media channels and can provide the proper resources needed to ensure the potential new channel’s success. You should not open social channels, communities, hubs or other social media groups that represent or are branded as PolyWrap Recycling, Inc. or any of its products and or services without first contacting the PolyWrap Recycling Inc. President and Vice President.

G. Personal References on Social Media Sites

PolyWrap Recycling Inc.’s policy prohibits employees from providing professional references or recommendations for current or former PolyWrap Recycling Inc. employees, contract workers or consultants, either written, verbal or through Social Media, including platforms like LinkedIn. While PolyWrap Recycling Inc. does not prohibit employees from providing personal references for friends or colleagues, employees should not make LinkedIn recommendations for anyone that they have worked with while at PolyWrap, regardless of whether that individual is a PolyWrap Recycling Inc. employee, supplier, or anyone else.

H. Responding to Negative Content You May See about PolyWrap Recycling Inc.

PolyWrap Recycling, Inc. recognizes that our employees are vital assets for monitoring the Social Media landscape. You may encounter consumer complaints about our products and or services or specific issues while online. So that issues can be properly tracked and addresses, bring these issues to the attention of the Social Media Team at kflanigna@lfpublicrelations.com. If special access is required to view the content (Facebook Groups, etc.) you may also publicly refer customers to the kflanigan@lfpublicrelations.com email, while disclosing that you work for PolyWrap Recycling Inc. Do not try and resolve any Rack’nPak Recycle Bagging System® or VENT PRESS BAG® problems yourself online.