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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].

APR applies pressure on PET imports, tariffs

Published: October 23, 2025
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Nick Laneville, senior associate at Hogan Lovells in Washington, DC, at the APR fall member meeting Oct. 22, 2025 Photo courtesy Tan Sackett/APR

As pressure builds and the recycling industry faces an existential crisis, speakers at the fall member meeting for the Association of Plastic Recyclers highlighted mounting efforts that focused on finding trade remedies. Continue Reading

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APR alliance aligns global packaging design guidance

Published: October 23, 2025
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The APR Design Guide for recyclable packaging is now available in Spanish and Mandarin, and includes modifications to suit variations in recycling infrastructure. | Pavlo Lys/Shutterstock

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has published its design guide in both Mandarin and Spanish, to help reinforce ongoing commitment to global alignment of guidelines for plastic packaging design for recyclability.  Continue Reading

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WM closes Natura PCR film operation in Texas

Published: October 22, 2025
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In a statement, the company called the closure of the plastic film processing plant temporary, amid challenging macroeconomic conditions. | Courtesy of Natura PCR

Hauler WM has shuttered its Natura PCR plastic film processing operations in Texas only months after starting up a new $150 million plant, amid lackluster market conditions.  

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EU recyclers urge understanding of solvent-based methods

Published: October 22, 2025
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Dissolution recycling processes leave a polymer structure intact, and belong in the physical recycling category along with mechanical recycling, Plastics Recyclers Europe said. | Rene Notenbomer/Shutterstock

Industry association Plastics Recyclers Europe is looking to raise the profile of dissolution recycling, an often-overlooked process that doesn’t quite fit into common recycling categories. Continue Reading

ADS recycled plastic purchase share sinks to 3-year low

Published: October 8, 2025
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Advanced Drainage Systems, one of the biggest buyers of recycled HDPE and PP, also saw a 7.3% drop in purchases of recycled materials. | Courtesy ADS

Major buyer Advanced Drainage Systems reached its lowest level of recycled plastic purchases since its fiscal 2022 baseline, according to its annual sustainability report. Continue Reading

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Colorado approval signals path forward for PRO choice

Published: October 8, 2025
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The Lubricants Packaging Management Association became the first independent producer responsibility organization to gain approval in a state EPR program. | Air Images / Shutterstock

Although a designated producer responsibility organization (PRO) receives much of the attention for any state’s emerging extended producer responsibility (EPR) plan for packaging, independent PROs quietly address more specialized needs. Continue Reading

French incentives spur restart on work for recycling plant

Published: October 1, 2025
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The immediate effect of a tiered incentive shows the power of state-level initiatives to support the value chain and reinforce EPR laws. | Photoeu / Shutterstock

Recycling technology company Carbios will restart construction on its enzymatic PET recycling plant in Longlaville, a move attributed in part to French governmental incentives. The so-called biorecycling plant is expected to start production in the second half of 2027. 

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Cutting healthcare plastics could save $18B

Published: September 24, 2025
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A new report says healthcare plastics could rise 40% by 2040, but scaling recycling strategies could cut waste in half and save $18B annually across global systems. | Steve Allen / Shutterstock

Healthcare organizations generate large quantities of recyclable single-use plastics, but face unique challenges, said panelists during a recent webinar from Eunomia Research and Consulting. 

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Resynergi moving operations out of California

Published: September 25, 2025
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In recent months the chemical recycler has faced community objections to its proposed chemical recycling plant in Northern California. | Courtesy of Resynergi

  • CEO says company ‘grew out’ of the current site
  • Company hopes to announce new location by end of year
  • Pilot plant has not yet run, but is ‘ready to go’

Chemical recycling startup Resynergi will move its operations from northern California to another state after experiencing more community pushback than it expected, the CEO said.
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Analysis: Dire EU landscape hints at US future

Published: September 17, 2025
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The closure of California reclaimer rPlanet Earth has set alarm bells ringing for the North American plastics recycling industry, as sustainability legislation fails to sufficiently support Europe’s recyclers. | Christophe Licoppe / Shutterstock

In recent weeks, industry calls to action have grown louder about addressing the existential crisis in Europe’s plastics recycling sector, despite the region’s rapidly advancing sustainability mandates. Continue Reading

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