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Author Archives: Dan Leif

About Dan Leif

Dan LeifDan Leif is the managing editor at Resource Recycling, Inc., which publishes Resource Recycling, Plastics Recycling Update and E-Scrap News. He has been with the company since 2013 and has edited different trade publications since 2006. He can be contacted at [email protected]

When assessing chemical recycling, ‘follow the money’

Published: August 31, 2022
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Eric Hartz speaks on stage at the 2022 Resource Recycling Conference.

Eric Hartz (center) spoke on a panel with Kate Bailey (right) at the 2022 Resource Recycling Conference. The session was moderated by Sarah Edwards (left). | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling, Inc.

Recent years have seen a steady stream of announcements from chemical recycling operators touting technological breakthroughs. But two industry insiders recently issued a stern reminder to the market: Don’t forget about economics.

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Robotics provider begins operating its own facilities

Published: May 11, 2022
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Closeup of residual bale from a MRF.

Secondary-sortation sites run by AMP Robotics are targeting a wide variety of materials that come from MRFs and other sources. | Courtesy of AMP Robotics

AMP Robotics is now breaking and sorting materials recovery facility residual bales at secondary-sortation operations in Colorado, Georgia and Ohio.

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Q&A: Seizing the moment on recycling policy

Published: April 20, 2022
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EPR bills, proposed in a number of states, aim to improve curbside collection and more. | Jared Paben

Last year, Maine and Oregon each passed major pieces of recycling legislation that incorporated elements of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging, a strategy in which producers are mandated to fund packaging recovery in those states. Continue Reading

Republic Services moves to vertically integrate in plastics

Published: March 1, 2022
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Plastics processing in Republic's Las Vegas recycling facility.

Plastics being handled at Republic Services’ existing materials recovery facility (MRF) in North Las Vegas, Nev. The company’s Polymer Center will be sited seven miles from the MRF. | Courtesy of Republic Services

North America’s second-largest hauler and recycling processor is constructing a facility in Las Vegas that will produce recycled PET flake and provide a deeper sort of recovered olefins.

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Bottle bill backers see opportunity for action

Published: January 26, 2022
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Plastic soda bottles.

Backers of bottle bill updates in Massachusetts and Vermont were able to progress legislative proposals that they say could be primed to pass in 2022. | Kwangmoozaa/Shutterstock

Over the past year, the recycling policy discussion nationwide has focused mainly on proposals that force producers to pay for packaging recovery. But significant activity around container deposits is also taking place, particularly in the Northeast.

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Pollution impacts are just a piece of environmental justice

Published: October 13, 2021
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Truck

U.S. EPA official Carlton Waterhouse told an audience at the Northeast Recycling Council’s fall conference that social equity is integral to sustainability. | Sirisak Baokaew/Shutterstock

Carlton Waterhouse, a key U.S. EPA waste official, says moving toward a circular economy is not enough. Instead, society needs a “circular economy for all.” Continue Reading

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Latest APR effort helps guide recyclable package design

Published: August 25, 2021
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Plastic packaging samples on white background.

Under the review program, products will be analyzed for their technical compatibility with current recycling processes. | ShutterOK / Shutterstock

The Association of Plastic Recyclers is launching an initiative to further recognize brands and others that are innovating in line with current plastics recycling capabilities.

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