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 jared@resource-recycling.com.
A proposed California ballot measure would direct CalRecycle to charge producers up to a 1-cent fee for each single-use plastic package sold into the state. | RaksyBH/Shutterstock
A California court has given proponents of a California plastic waste initiative more time to gather signatures, all but assuring it will make the ballot, according to supporters.
Researchers looked into multi-layer pouch recycling through the use of enzymes. | Ploylada/Shutterstock
A paper authored by a Spanish plastics research institute says enzymes can be used to degrade adhesive layers in multi-layer scrap materials, allowing the plastics to be separated for recycling.
Encina and Braven Environmental are new to the chemical recycling sector. | Tunatura/Shutterstock
A pair of companies recently announced plans to build commercial-scale pyrolysis facilities, with one set for Texas and the other in Virginia. The plants will convert scrap plastics into chemical products.
Reclaimers install specially designed shredders, scientists tweak scrap thermosets so they can be remolded, and four technologies win over $1 million in grants.
The RecyClass platform is focused on encouraging producers to sell packaging that’s compatible with current plastics recycling processes and technologies. | Africa Studio/Shutterstock
A European trade association has published step-by-step guides allowing packaging producers to rate the recyclability of their products and receive a certification.
Investments by Closed Loop Partners have touched plastics recycling in a number of ways. | Chones/Shutterstock
Brand owners and corporate foundations have pledged another $54 million to the Closed Loop Infrastructure Fund, money that will go toward supporting recycling in the U.S.
A view of the recently installed e-plastics sorting and washing line at eCycle Solutions. | Courtesy of eCycle Solutions
A major North American e-scrap company has invested approximately $1.5 million into a plastics cleanup line, partly to get ahead of tighter international rules on plastics exports.
Researchers in Florida have noticed a gradual increase in contamination rates in recent years. | Blueee77/Shutterstock
Materials recovery facilities in Florida have historically landfilled about one-quarter of the weight that comes in the door, according to a study commissioned by the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation.
The newly introduced Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling Act directs various federal agencies and offices to take steps to support plastics recycling. | Corlia vWyk/Shutterstock
Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have put forth legislation focused on reducing plastic waste and bolstering plastics recycling.
In terms of a variety of recycling-related metrics, As You Sow said Kraft Heinz was among the worst-ranked large-revenue companies. | Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock
Environmental advocacy group As You Sow says the largest consumer-facing companies are falling short in the area of plastic pollution reduction. It calls for them to support recycling, among other steps.