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
The sudden inclusion of both virgin and recycled PET in US tariff lists is good news for domestic recyclers, but frustrating for importers. | Tezzstock/Shutterstock
Editor’s Note: Resin markets will be featured in sessions at the 2026 Plastics Recycling Conference, Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, California. Register now for the best rates.
The sudden inclusion of PET resin in the list of imports subject to hefty tariffs is causing concern for some stakeholders and relief for others, even as a disappointing peak summer season draws to a close. Continue Reading
Charter Next Generation will use chemically recycled polyethylene produced at Shell’s plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, in its flexible packaging.| Photo courtesy Shell Polymers
Editor’s Note: Chemical recycling will be featured in sessions at the 2026 Plastics Recycling Conference, Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, California. Register now for the best rates.
Specialty film producer Charter Next Generation has agreed to buy polyethylene (PE) produced by Shell Polymers using chemically recycled feedstock, for use in high-performance flexible packaging. Continue Reading
PET resin previously was not subject to the 2025 tariffs, and the move drew comment from APR but added to market confusion. | BigPixel/Shutterstock
Editor’s note: This is a developing story.
US President Donald Trump has expanded tariffs to include PET resin as of Sept. 8, according to a new executive order. The move drew comment from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) because of its expected impact on imported resin, but added uncertainty to the market.
The $4.25 million grant to upgrade FCC Environmental’s Houston MRF will enable better recovery of plastic film. | Photo Courtesy of FCC
Hauler FCC Environmental Services has been awarded a $4.25 million grant from The Recycling Partnership (TRP) to improve film and flexible plastics recovery at its materials recovery facility (MRF) in Houston, representing TRP’s largest single grant to a MRF. Continue Reading
Reverse vending machines are one component of some deposit return systems | Aleks333/Shutterstock
In an active year for legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution and waste, recycling stakeholders have a bevy of lessons to draw from, even with bills that have come under attack or didn’t quite pass. Continue Reading
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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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.
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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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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