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Author Archives: Colin Staub

About Colin Staub

Colin-StaubColin Staub is a reporter at Resource Recycling. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Electronics producer scales up PCR use

Published: December 16, 2020
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Closeup of a Logitech keyboard.

Logitech estimates it will have shipped more than 50 million devices that include recycled plastic by the end of 2021. | Marco Curaba/Shutterstock

Logitech has used more post-consumer plastic in its keyboards, mice, webcams and other products over the past three years.

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Groups question US-Canada Basel arrangement

Published: December 9, 2020
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Cargo shipping containers.

Because the U.S. is not a party to the Basel Convention, exports to the 180-plus countries that are parties to the convention will be more complicated, or may even be prohibited by local laws. | AnkaFed/Shutterstock

The U.S. government has made public an agreement with Canada to continue scrap plastic shipments despite global regulations tightening next year. Environmental advocates are troubled by the deal.

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Recycling facilities receive $2 million to boost PP recovery

Published: December 9, 2020
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A conveyor belt carries materials inside a MRF.

Through the new grants, The Recycling Partnership estimates curbside PP recycling will become available to an additional 4 million people nationwide. | RYosha/Shutterstock

Four materials recovery facilities in the eastern half of the U.S. will begin sorting polypropylene with financial assistance from major brands, retailers and other industry members brought together through The Recycling Partnership.

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Federal lawmakers pass Save Our Seas 2.0

Published: December 2, 2020
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Plastics waste on a beach seen from above.

The bill authorizes millions in grant funds and also creates a prize to support projects related to preventing marine debris. | Mario De Moya F/Shutterstock

Both chambers of Congress have now passed marine debris prevention legislation, which includes millions of dollars in support to states for recycling and other materials management initiatives.

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US and Canada approve pact as Basel restrictions near

Published: December 2, 2020
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Canada and U.S. flags fly against a blue sky.

Canada is a major buyer of U.S. scrap plastic, underscoring the significance of the recent agreement. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

New trade restrictions will make it more difficult to ship scrap plastic from the U.S. to most countries next year. But exports to Canada are unlikely to be affected by the policy.

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Reclaimer and end user expands in Indiana

Published: December 2, 2020
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baled plastics

Polywood uses HDPE, primarily milk jugs and detergent bottles, to produce various types of outdoor furniture. | vermontalm/Shutterstock

Polywood, a manufacturer of outdoor furniture made from recycled HDPE, will invest nearly $43 million to increase its Syracuse, Ind. production capacity.

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Resin producer plans huge increase in PCR sales

Published: November 18, 2020
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Resins spilled out of a tube onto a pink background.

Braskem works with both mechanical and chemical recycling processors to produce its PCR. | StanislauV/Shutterstock

Polyolefins giant Braskem has set its sights on expanding post-consumer resin production as part of the company’s new sustainability commitments.

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Plastics recovery flat amid 2018 recycling rate downturn

Published: November 16, 2020
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Mixed plastics on a green background.

Recently released data shows the U.S. plastics recycling rate held steady at 8.5% in 2018. | nelladel/Shutterstock

The U.S. recycling and composting rate declined significantly in 2018, but certain materials fared better than others, according to figures from the federal government. The drop was partially due to a change in how the rate was calculated.

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Sort project will target plastics missed by MRFs in Northeast

Published: November 11, 2020
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Baled plastics for soration.

Bales of plastic material for sortation at the Pacific Northwest demonstration facility. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling, Inc.

Following a similar demonstration in the Pacific Northwest last year, industry stakeholders are launching an initiative to recover additional material from the municipal stream in New York and four other states.

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