Several companies recently announced progress toward chemical recycling capacity, including a developing method to recycle PET that could require much less energy.

The price spread between natural and color HDPE reached a record high in February, as natural bales pricing increased while mixed-color bales remained near historic lows.

In recent earnings calls, executives at Advanced Drainage Systems, Azek Building Products and Mohawk Industries voiced consistent themes for the construction and housing sector, including uncertainty surrounding federal policy and funding, persistently elevated costs, weather impacts and a shift toward localizing supply chains.  

Domestic RPET market participants have struggled to compete with inexpensive imported material for nearly two years. But the lack of a specific Harmonized Tariff System code obscures the scale of the issue even as PET's share of scrap imports surpassed 50%. 

Prices for post-consumer PP bales have been climbing steadily after stagnating around 5-6 cents per pound for the better part of 18 months, with market players citing several factors for the runup. 

The latest earnings calls for recycled paper, glass and plastic end users and processors have brought facility closure and layoff announcements, at times contrasting with recent expansion plans. 

With the approach of the annual March 1 deadline to opt into the 2026 Illinois Consumer Electronics Recycling Act, state and national organizers held an information session and provided an update on amendments to CERA legislation.

Faced with public scrutiny over the use of plastic packaging, a growing number of brand owners are touting their switch to paper-based alternatives, including recent moves by Driscoll's, Nestlé, Mars and more.

In an effort to encourage improved repairability for computers, chip maker Intel has provided its thoughts on incorporating modular design into electronics to comply with right-to-repair policy. 

U.S. President Donald Trump was set to implement 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, effective Feb. 4, then delayed them, creating a rapidly changing trade landscape that furthered uncertainty in the plastics recycling industry.