Graphic Packaging closed its Santa Clara, Calif. recycled paperboard mill at the beginning of December, citing high costs and market volatility as contributing to the decision. The company announced in September the closure would take place by the end of the year. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing last week, company officials confirmed the closure took place Dec. 1....

China is unprepared to effectively roll out and enforce its planned Jan. 1 ban on imports of certain recyclables, according to recycling leaders who recently traveled to the country in search of answers. Chinese regulators are still struggling to determine what constitutes waste versus a usable resource, and the very agency tasked with inspecting incoming loads is unable to answer...

A Colorado-based nonprofit electronics recycling organization is working to spread its operational model around the country, and it recently received a grant to help. Blue Star Recyclers received a $50,000 grant from Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation to support the recycling organization’s national expansion plans. The grant foundation is funded by its Mitsubishi parent companies with the goal of supporting programs...

Regulators in a Midwest state say the fundamental elements of its producer responsibility law remain sound, but industry-wide challenges are straining the program. In an annual report, Wisconsin state officials quantify these challenges and offer some potential fixes. Collectors took in about 31.3 million pounds of electronic devices from July 2016 through June 2017, which is down about 8 million...

Chinese officials have reiterated that some post-consumer plastics will be banned from import by the end of the month, and have elaborated on stringent future enforcement and regulatory plans. Even so, one exporter sees the potential for washed flake to be allowed in under the new restrictions. China announced last month that inbound loads of recyclables that are not outright...

Tax reform bills approved by the U.S. House and Senate include sweeping cuts to business taxes, and recycling industry associations are applauding the business-friendly measures. Corporations and many higher-earning pass-through businesses receive tax cuts under proposals approved by both chambers. In addition, an export incentive is retained in both bills. And as an equipment-heavy sector, recycling would likely benefit from...

China officially announced last month that most inbound loads of recyclables will be allowed no more than 0.5 percent contamination, which is slightly less stringent than initial proposals. But industry executives recently noted that when it comes to recovered paper, that's largely a moot point. “I don’t think it matters,” said Myles Cohen, president of recycling at Pratt Industries, referring...

A top Chinese environmental official recently indicated that China has plans to enforce upcoming import restrictions "to the letter." Chinese environmental officials held a press conference on Nov. 16 to provide a detailed update on their actions so far. Environmental Minister Li Ganjie characterized the country's materials ban and recently updated contaminant standards revision as separate actions. U.S. industry leaders...

Tax reform legislation moving through Congress could help electronics recycling companies deduct equipment expenditures. Tax reform bills approved by the U.S. House and Senate include sweeping cuts to business taxes, and recycling industry associations are applauding the business-friendly measures. Corporations and many higher-earning pass-through businesses receive tax cuts under proposals approved by both chambers. In addition, an export incentive is...

Tax reform bills approved by the U.S. House and Senate include sweeping cuts to business taxes, and recycling industry associations are applauding the business-friendly measures. Corporations and many higher-earning pass-through businesses receive tax cuts under proposals approved by both chambers. In addition, an export incentive is retained in both bills. And as an equipment-heavy sector, recycling would likely benefit from...