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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].

Reclaimer in Focus: PreZero

Published: January 11, 2021
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PreZero facility exterior.

Once PreZero’s California plant hits full scale, the facility will be producing 24 million pounds per year of film pellets.

A company planning multiple U.S. processing plants taking in hard-to-recycle plastics has begun operating its first location in Southern California.

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‘Anomaly’ year brings recycled PET market twists

Published: December 23, 2020
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Closeup of empty PET bottles.

COVID-19 and pricing pressure led companies to seek other supply lines for PET feedstock. | Pixel B/Shutterstock

A confluence of RPET market disruptions in 2020 included low prime plastic pricing and supply challenges that led end users to seek feedstock from other sources. Still, experts maintain a surge of RPET demand is fast approaching.

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Recycling operators sound off on packaging EPR

Published: December 23, 2020
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Sorted household recyclables.

Packaging EPR programs are currently in place in parts of Europe, Canada and elsewhere, but to date, this system hasn’t reached the U.S. | Skylines/Shutterstock

Extended producer responsibility for a wide range of recyclables is gaining steam around the country. Haulers and facility operators say it’s critical that these proposals are crafted well – both to preserve what already works and allow for much-needed changes.

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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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