Collection contains copies of patents for plastic food and beverage containers collected by Joseph McDonald from 1951 to 1989, in the course of his work for Sweetheart Plastics, Inc. and a selection of technical offprints and reports.

Records of the Plastics Academy related to the organization of the Plastics Hall of Fame containing correspondence, organizational notes, meeting minutes, member lists, press clippings, nomination forms, biographies, photographs, event information, induction ceremony programs and other materials related to the Plastics Hall of Fame.