An initiative in Europe will work to overcome obstacles to the closed-loop recycling of plastics from electronics and appliances. The Post-Consumer High-tech Recycled Polymers for a Circular Economy (PolyCE) project will undertake various activities to strengthen the recovery of plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). While still a negative or negligible value for many electronics recycling companies, e-plastics...

Last year, America's most populous state notched a 44 percent recycling rate, down from 47 percent in 2015 and 50 percent in 2014, according to government figures. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) recently released data on the 2016 recycling and disposal rates. The state's goal is to achieve a 75 percent recycling rate by 2020. Recycling...

Last year, America's most populous state notched a 44 percent recycling rate, down from 47 percent in 2015 and 50 percent in 2014, according to government figures. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) recently released data on the 2016 recycling and disposal rates. The state's goal is to achieve a 75 percent recycling rate by 2020. Recycling...

This story originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of Plastics Recycling Update. Subscribe today for access to all print content.   With rising prices for recovered commodities, a growing sense of optimism has emerged in the recycling industry – and a sense of relief, since the recent downturn was so prolonged. That’s according to Robin Wiener, president of the Institute...

A worldwide police operation busted people suspected of illegal waste shipping and disposal, mostly involving metals and scrap electronics, according to Interpol. The group, which facilitates cooperation between nearly 200 countries' police forces, announced the results of a month-long coordinated campaign to disrupt organized crime groups involved in the illegal movement and disposal of waste. Called "30 days of action,"...

A relative newcomer to the plastics recycling industry has received another multi-million dollar investment, this time for tackling polystyrene. GreenMantra Technologies has received $2.3 million Canadian dollars (about $1.8 million) from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). The grant will be used to help build a demonstration plant that will recycle PS into modified styrenic polymers for use in inks, foam...

Should California consider whether packaging contributes to marine debris when formulating mandatory policies for its collection and recycling? Your answer likely depends on whether you represent the business community or environmental interests. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) recently sought public input on criteria department officials will use to help develop mandatory policies for increasing the recycling...

Should California consider whether packaging contributes to marine debris when formulating mandatory policies for its collection and recycling? Your answer likely depends on whether you represent the business community or environmental interests. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) recently sought public input on criteria department officials will use to help develop mandatory policies for increasing the recycling...

Optical sorter units helped clean up newsprint bales and boost OCC and old boxboard recovery in a region of Ontario. Those involved with the project have shared some important tips for others considering similar efforts. The Regional Municipality of Niagara (Niagara Region) in late 2015 installed a Fiber Optical Sorting System (FOSS) at its MRF. The system included two Titech...

Nestlé Waters North America has begun adding the How2Recycle label to half-liter PET bottles of all its major U.S. bottled water brands. By the fall, the company will have added the label to the Nestlé Pure Life, Poland Spring, Deer Park, Ice Mountain, Zephyrhills, Ozarka and Arrowhead bottles. The How2Recycle label will tell consumers to empty the bottle and replace...