Legislation introduced in Pennsylvania increases the amount of e-scrap that manufacturers would be on the hook for recycling each year. State Democratic Rep. Marty Flynn introduced a bill aiming to fix problems with the state's current extended producer responsibility law for electronics. The bill, H.B. 2309, was referred to the House of Representatives Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on Sept....

The Basel Action Network has released a follow-up report to its e-scrap tracking study, detailing which firms handled material that was ultimately exported. The Basel Action Network (BAN), founder of the e-Stewards certification, this year has released findings of its tracking project, which was conducted during 2014 and 2015. Project representatives dropped off around 200 low-value used electronics at a...

The Closed Loop Fund will provide up to $5 million in financing for projects filling gaps in recycling infrastructure across the U.S. The Closed Loop Fund (CLF), backed by major retail and consumer goods companies, announced it is accepting applications for loans to fund materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and related infrastructure and services. The zero- or low-interest loans can be...

A growing number of Canadian residents can now recycle plastic film and expanded polystyrene, two materials that have lagged behind plastic containers in terms of recycling access. A recent study commissioned by the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) found that 65 percent of Canadians had access to film and bag recycling in 2015, up from 55 percent in 2014. The...

When it comes to materials processing contracts, the debate is often framed in black and white: taxpayers versus shareholders battling to collect the financial rewards of recycling and avoid the costs. But, according to one industry veteran, negotiators should understand the other side's needs, and that recognition should be reflected in contracts. "Local programs can't just keep raising taxes every...

The California legislature passed a bill requiring beverage companies to publicly report the amount of post-consumer PET they use. And a separate piece of legislation sent to the governor extends a plastics-recycling subsidy programs for one year. The two plastics recycling-specific bills were passed before the end of the California legislature's 2015-16 session. Both are now awaiting possible signatures from...

The Recycling Partnership has provided a grant to help communities in Outagamie County, Wis. transition to single-stream recycling. The nonprofit industry group also recently announced it has released a free online kit of resources for recycling programs. In Wisconsin, The Recycling Partnership provided a grant to help buy 6,900 curbside carts for 13 communities. Carts are scheduled to be distributed...

Sims Metal Management’s global e-scrap business saw depressed profits last year, and its U.S.-based electronics recycling operations lost money. Lower commodity prices squeezed earnings for Sims Recycling Solutions (SRS), the global e-scrap and electrical appliances recycling wing of the Australia-based metals recycling giant. The news comes as the company continues to sell or idle underperforming facilities to boost profitability. The...

Sage Sustainable Electronics is moving the headquarters of its recently acquired Hugo Neu Recycling business and has sold equipment formerly used at a Hugo Neu operation. ITAD specialist Sage has worked to pivot the Hugo Neu e-scrap business into the electronics reuse and resale realm. The e-scrap shredding and separation equipment was sold to Colt Refining and Recycling.According to Sage...

The California legislature passed a bill requiring beverage companies to publicly report the amount of post-consumer PET they use. And a separate piece of legislation sent to the governor extends a plastics-recycling subsidy programs for one year. The two plastics recycling-specific bills were passed before the end of the California legislature's 2015-16 session. Both are now awaiting possible signatures from...