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Author Archives: Jared Paben

About Jared Paben

Jared Paben Associate Editor Jared Paben has worked for Resource Recycling since December 2014. Most of his earlier career was spent as a reporter for the daily newspaper in Bellingham, Wash., but he also has experience working for the Oregon volunteerism commission and for Oregon nonprofits serving low-income populations. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Loan helps packaging supplier Pinnpack boost capacity

Published: January 3, 2024
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Pinnpack, formerly owned by CarbonLite, will significantly increase its processing capacity with help from the loan. | Millenius/Shutterstock

The state of California provided a $3.5 million loan to an RPET thermoform manufacturer to help it triple its production capacity and decrease employee headcount, according to state records.  Continue Reading

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Experts discuss the industry’s e-plastics crossroads

Published: December 5, 2023
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Port Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where U.S. e-scrap companies send a lot of their e-plastics. Several insiders recently shared their thoughts on how the industry will approach e-plastics export violations. | Nicola Pulham/Shutterstock

Chris Kaasmann sees a parallel between the electronics recycling industry’s requirement to start managing electronics plastics differently and the need for the planet to switch to renewable energy. Both need to happen, but in neither case can you simply flip a switch to realize universal change.
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ACC publishes durable goods recycling roadmap

Published: December 5, 2023
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A recently published roadmap aims to improve the recycling of plastics used in infrastructure applications and other durable goods. | Hans Engbers/Shutterstock

The American Chemistry Council developed a roadmap for improving the recovery of plastics from durable goods in the automotive, building and construction, electronics, infrastructure and medical sectors. Continue Reading

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PCR safety panel approves 26 PET recycling applications

Published: December 5, 2023
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A European Food Safety Authority panel reviewed over two dozen applications to recycle post-consumer PET into food and drink packaging during the past six months. | CalypsoArt/Shutterstock

A food safety scientific panel has approved the use of post-consumer PET recycling technologies from Bandera, Erema, Gneuss, NGR, Polymetrix, Starlinger and others.  Continue Reading

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Scrap plastics exports drop 5% during first three quarters

Published: November 28, 2023
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During the first nine months of 2023, exports of scrap plastic from the U.S. to Mexico dropped 9% year over year. | Quiggyt4/Shutterstock

The U.S. continued to export less scrap plastic to the rest of the world, according to an analysis of trade data covering the first nine months of 2023.  Continue Reading

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Exec: Eastman prepared for recycling unit start-up

Published: November 14, 2023
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The methanolysis unit at Eastman’s Kingsport, Tenn. campus. | Courtesy of Eastman Chemical

Eastman Chemical says about 25,000 metric tons of scrap polyester have been preprocessed and are ready for recycling in the company’s new chemical recycling unit, which is slated to come on-line in coming weeks.  Continue Reading

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Study: Pricing opacity hurts recycling in four countries

Published: November 7, 2023
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Market data on screen.

Researchers suggest “practical interventions” to promote knowledge sharing about plastics recycling. | Things/Shutterstock

Nonprofit group The Circulate Initiative has published the results of first-of-its-kind research exploring recycled plastic pricing in India and three Southeast Asian countries. Continue Reading

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Reclaimer, sorting facilities receive PET recovery grants

Published: November 7, 2023
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A grinder at rPlanet Earth in the Los Angeles area. The PET reclaimer recently received a grant from the PET Recycling Coalition. | Courtesy of rPlanet Earth

The PET Recycling Coalition has given grants to four companies, including a plastics reclaimer, to help them better recover and recycle post-consumer PET.  Continue Reading

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