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Author Archives: Antoinette Smith

About Antoinette Smith

Antoinette Smith started working for Resource Recycling in June 2024 after spending several years covering commodity plastics and supply chains, with a special focus on economic impacts. She can be contacted at [email protected].

WEF tackles plastic pollution in developing nations

Published: August 27, 2025
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Among the areas of concern for the Global Plastic Action Partnership is improving conditions for workers in the informal recycling sectors common to developing countries. | Pradeep Gaurs/Shutterstock

Since its founding in 2018, the Global Plastic Action Partnership, part of the World Economic Forum, has worked to address plastic pollution in developing countries, creating a network of partnerships across Latin America, Asia and Africa.
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Circularix starts Florida RPET plant, expands Pennsylvania site

Published: August 27, 2025
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The expansions will bring the company’s annual capacity to 165 million pounds of RPET resin. | Photo courtesy of Circularix.

RPET producer Circularix has completed commercial startup of its second food-grade pelletizing facility, located in Ocala, Florida, and announced it will expand capacity at its flagship site in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.

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CalRecycle reopens comments for SB 54 rules

Published: August 27, 2025
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Baled plastics for recycling.

The draft regulations have seen several iterations, drawing criticism from industry stakeholders. | Ultrasto/Shutterstock

California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has opened the public comment period for its latest draft of regulations for the state’s extended producer responsibility law for packaging, which have drawn criticism from industry stakeholders.
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Brand owners lead initiative for scalable film, flex recycling

Published: August 20, 2025
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A coalition including General Mills, Mars, PepsiCo and other major brands will focus on states with EPR programs for packaging, starting with California. | Noppuns/Shutterstock

Several global brand owners have joined forces to create the US Flexible Film Initiative (USFFI), a nonprofit membership organization helping to advance scalable solutions to recycle flexible plastic packaging.
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APR updates design recognition, submissions

Published: August 20, 2025
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The Association of Plastic Recyclers recently announced updates to its Design for Recyclability program. | Photo Credit Tan Sackett/APR

The Association of Plastic Recyclers has added new packaging components to its eligibility criteria for Preferred Design Recognition, along with a new tool to simplify the submission process.
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Republic Services sites third polymer center in PA

Published: August 13, 2025
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The Allentown site will begin by producing RPET flake to nearby Circularix and other converters, from early 2027. | Courtesy of Republic Services

During a recent investor call, Republic Services subtly confirmed it would site its third co-located polymer center and resin processing plant in Pennsylvania, and the hauler soon confirmed the specific location: Allentown. Continue Reading

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LyondellBasell, Eastman delay recycling plants

Published: August 6, 2025
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The two major U.S. chemical companies cited subdued demand and an unfavorable capital investment climate. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

Two U.S. chemical recyclers have announced delays to major investments in the emerging technology, amid a challenging demand environment and funding concerns. Continue Reading

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APR, ReMA update bale specs for PE rigids, film

Published: August 6, 2025
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The two organizations maintain the industry standard for acceptable materials and contaminants, and the specifications serve as a reference tool for MRFs and other recyclers. | Photo Courtesy Jared Paben

The Association of Plastic Recyclers and the Recycled Materials Association have updated specifications for post-consumer plastic bales, following a collaborative development process between the two organizations. Continue Reading

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Recycled commodity pricing hits hauler earnings

Published: August 6, 2025
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Five publicly traded North American waste haulers decreased expectations for full-year commodity pricing, and gave insights into new and upgraded capacity. | Photo Courtesy of Republic Services

Story Highlights

  • Republic Services nods to future Pennsylvania site
  • Tariffs take a toll
  • Construction sector slowness to continue
  • Canadian EPR provides tailwind for GFL

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Eastman to delay Texas plant, appeal loss of DOE grant

Published: August 1, 2025
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The company is exploring options to increase RPET production, including debottlenecking the existing Kingsport methanolysis plant and exploring locations other than Longview, Texas. | Trismegist san/Shutterstock

Eastman Chemical will delay its second U.S. methanolysis plant for two years, as it appeals the revocation of a key federal grant and explores capacity expansions at its flagship site in Tennessee and other locations, CEO Mark Costa said during an investor call Aug. 1. Continue Reading

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