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Author Archives: Paul Lane

RecycleOn Oregon opens first drop-off hard-to-recycle site

Published: October 22, 2025
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The RecycleOn Oregon center opened this month in Ashland, the first of 140 planned for the state, in line with the state’s EPR law mandates. | Courtesy RecycleOn

Hard-to-recycle materials may soon find a new use in Oregon thanks to a first-of-its-kind recycling center now open there.

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Plastic bales prices remain steady for October

Published: October 15, 2025
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The national average price for bales of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars remained steady in October, now averaging 4.50 cents/lb, compared to 4.66 cents this time last month. Regional contracts are still yielding in the 3-7 cent range. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 17.59 cents/lb.

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ICIS: Plastic scrap pricing may have hit bottom

Published: October 15, 2025
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While most US recycled plastic scrap markets remain weak, several have likely found a pricing floor, prompting some stabilization. | Garry Killian / Shutterstock

While most US recycled plastic scrap markets remain weak, several have likely found a pricing floor, prompting some stabilization. Overall demand remains soft, especially as buyers seasonally reduce inventory volumes within the fourth quarter. Continue Reading

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Colorado EPR development advances to next phase

Published: October 15, 2025
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The Circular Action Alliance and Colorado are gearing up to implement the state’s new EPR law. | Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Editors note: Join us at the 2026 Resource Recycling Conference where we’ll dive deeper into EPR compliance and policy.

The group overseeing Colorado’s upcoming recycling system overhaul is moving forward with new plans to boost participation statewide. Continue Reading

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Plastic bale prices continue to fall

Published: September 17, 2025
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The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars dropped again in September, now averaging 4.66 cents per pound, compared to 5.75 cents per pound this time last month. Regional contracts are yielding in the 3-7 cent range. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 18.34 cents per pound. Continue Reading

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ICIS September monthly recycled plastics pulse

Published: September 17, 2025
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Recycled plastic prices dropped in August, with RPET flake and pellet down 5% month-over-month and natural HDPE pellet falling 12% | Meaw_stocker / Shutterstock

Almost all US recycled plastic scrap markets continue to experience severe downward pressure, on softening demand as buyers assess their needs through the end of the year. In some markets, high-quality post-consumer colorless recycled resin now is at parity with virgin resin pricing, a reversal of the prior trend.
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Fires at recycling sites on track to reach record high

Published: August 13, 2025
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Fire Rover analyzed nine years of data to discover trends in recycling facility fires. | Photo courtesy of Boston Fire Department

Across North America, recycling and waste management facilities are experiencing an increase in reported fires, with 2025 predicted to reach a new annual high. A recent special report by Fire Rover highlights this trend, attributing the record-high reported numbers and escalating financial risks to factors such as lithium-ion batteries, escalating demands from insurers and inadequate control measures. Continue Reading

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Recyclers have the capacity —let’s use it.

Published: August 20, 2025
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Baled plastics for recycling.

Mechanical recyclers across North America have the capacity right now to recycle significantly more plastic, says APR CEO Steve Alexander. | Natallia Boroda/Shutterstock

Plastics recycling works — when the system works with it.

That’s not a slogan. It’s a reality backed by data and by decades of experience from the companies and communities that make up the plastics recycling value chain.
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ICIS August monthly recycled plastics pulse

Published: August 20, 2025
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Fahroni/Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: This is a monthly PCR resin pricing analysis contributed by commodity intelligence firm ICIS.

Most U.S. recycled plastic feedstock markets have seen dramatic downward swings through the first half of the year. According to recent earnings calls from several industry groups, H2 sales are expected to be flat, if not weaker, than H1.
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