The two identical state bills are on the desk of the governor, who just last week announced investment in 250 recycling sites across the state. | Susanne Pommer/Shutterstock
Despite advocacy from plastic film companies, California lawmakers passed two bills that ban reusable plastic bags in the state, drawing scathing reactions from the industry. Continue Reading
Unifi sources recycled polyester through its Textile Takeback program, which recently began supplying feedstock for new products. | Photo courtesy Unifi
By and large, U.S. recycled PET end markets have shifted focus from textiles to food packaging in recent years. But North Carolina-based Unifi is working on building end uses for recycled plastics in fashion and other fabric applications, the CEO said in a recent interview. Continue Reading
The Coalition has distributed more than $5 million in grants since its inception in mid-2022. | DeawSS/Shutterstock
The PET Recycling Coalition has released its first annual report, detailing progress in increasing collection and recycling of one of the most common plastics in packaging. Continue Reading
With more capacity coming online, EFS-Plastics will be able to handle more B-grade LDPE film bales and potentially transition to contractual supply arrangements. | Vikentiy Elizarov/Shutterstock
As EFS-Plastics nears completion on its third LDPE film processing line in Pennsylvania, the company is changing the way it approaches film bales, a company executive said in an interview. Continue Reading
The ACC and Plastics Industry Association expressed disappointment in the shift in policy, while environmental groups applauded it. | Mstfcn/Shutterstock
The U.S. has reversed its stance on plastics production limits and now will support inclusion of these efforts in a global treaty, according to recent reports. The abrupt shift garnered a strong reaction from the plastics industry and cautious optimism from environmental groups. Continue Reading
Advanced Drainage Systems expects to spend $250 million to $301 million on capital expenditures this year. | Courtesy of ADS
Several plastics reclaimers and recycled resin end users recently shared details about their operations in earnings calls. From capital project spending at ADS to chemical recycling expansions at LyondellBasell, here’s a roundup of recycling operations news.
The increase in both volumes and share of total purchases stands in contrast to brand owners that have announced they will miss voluntary 2025 recycled content targets for packaging. | Joyce Blessthink/Shutterstock
Global packaging giant Amcor reported higher volumes of recycled resin purchases despite a drop in total raw material consumption, according to its 2023 sustainability report. Continue Reading
Although companies may be shifting to a broader carbon-footprint strategy, PCR production still needs to increase several times over, a recent RaboResearch report said | RecycleMan/Shutterstock
Brand owner targets for PCR content have helped drive demand for recycled plastics in the U.S. and Europe in recent years, but PCR production needs to increase as much as fivefold to meet those goals, according to a recent RaboResearch report. Continue Reading
The new recycling center in Ohio combines vast processing capacity with community outreach and education, company leadership said in an interview. | Courtesy of Rumpke
Understanding customer needs has shaped the new Rumpke Waste & Recycling facility in Columbus, Ohio, and will help increase incoming volumes, according to company leadership. Continue Reading
Republic Services recovered 2.2 million tons of cardboard, metal, organics, paper and plastics in 2023. | Rhfletcher/Shutterstock
For a second consecutive year, waste hauler Republic Services recovered fewer tons of recyclable materials than in the previous year, according to the company’s 2023 ESG report. Continue Reading