An upgrade at a Midwest MRF has dramatically boosted its throughput while allowing it to better separate materials. The changes at the Mid America Recycling facility in Lincoln, Neb. have increased throughput from about 1.5 tons per hour up to 10 to 12 tons per hour. "It has helped us maximize the value of the plastics and all of our...

A recent study estimated the volume of used computers and display devices traded among and exported from North American countries to the rest of the world. But the researchers encountered a lack of solid data, and they suggested ways to improve e-scrap export numbers. Many might expect the often-discussed hotspots for North American e-scrap exports, including places in East Asia,...

A used electronics trading company was raided and shut down after officials filed a lawsuit accusing it of running a "bait and switch" scheme on consumers. Laptop and Desktop Repair, LLC, out of Sparks, Nev., ran several phone and laptop buy-back websites, including cashforiphones.com, cashforlaptops.com, ecyclebest.com, smartphonetraders.com and sell-your-cell.com. According to federal court records, the office was raided by local...

The City of San Antonio began accepting plastic bags in curbside single-stream carts two years ago. In its first year, 550 tons were recovered through the program, which excludes black plastic bags, but that number fell by more than two-thirds in the second year. The problem isn't necessarily fewer plastic bags going into carts. The issue is some residents have...

Several plastics organizations have formed a group aimed at boosting plastics packaging recycling in Europe. The group is called the Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform, and its goal is to help the industry reach the European Union's target of reusing and recycling 55 percent of plastic packaging by 2025. The target is outlined in the European Commission's Circular Economy Package. European...

California may be a liberal state with its fair share of regulations, but a poll indicates voters may not be so keen on a statewide ban on plastic bags. A survey from the Calspeaks Opinion Research Center at Sacramento State University shows 45 percent of voters are in favor of banning plastic shopping bags, 39 percent are against the ban...

Research from a carton packaging group shows many residents in Canada fail to recycle cartons because of knowledge gaps. On the bright side, only 6 percent said they're "just not that into recycling." Results of a survey were recently released by the Carton Council of Canada (CCC). The online research, which polled 2,000 people in the Canadian provinces of Ontario...

The City of San Antonio began accepting plastic bags in curbside single-stream carts two years ago. In its first year, 550 tons were recovered through the program, but that number fell by more than two-thirds in the second year. The problem isn't necessarily fewer plastic bags going into carts. The issue is some residents have forgotten the proper protocol for...

Over the next few months, New York State officials will draft regulations aimed at providing clarity on the existing e-scrap law, improving program performance and addressing challenges. The Times Union newspaper reports the New York Department of Environmental Conservation is meeting with stakeholders to get feedback for draft regulations."Rulemaking workshops are currently being held with stakeholders, including electronic equipment manufacturers...

GreenMantra Technologies says its waxes, made from post-consumer plastics, can be used as additives to boost profitability for other reclaimers. Founded in 2011, the Brantford, Ontario-based company recycles post-consumer polyolefins into 100 percent recycled content waxes using its proprietary catalyst and patented depolymerization process. The company now says testing shows its Ceranovus brand waxes serve as effective plastics-recycling additives, boosting...