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].
Waste Management handled about 10% fewer tons of scrap plastic in 2022 than it did in 2021. | Rblfmr/Shutterstock
Waste Management handled 465,000 tons of scrap plastic bales in 2022, down from the previous year because recycling plant upgrades required temporary shutdowns. Continue Reading
Although depressed plastics prices have caused some companies to revise their earnings projections, many in the sector are optimistic about an upcoming rebound. | Golden Dayz/Shutterstock
This story has been updated.
Recycled plastics prices are at their lowest levels in some time, putting significant strain on material processors. Meanwhile, some resin buyers are abandoning PCR to purchase virgin plastic instead. Continue Reading
Greystone Logistics processes about 60 million pounds per year of recovered material into new pallets. | Courtesy of Greystone Logistics
Lower recovered HDPE prices have helped increase the profitability of a recycled plastic pallet manufacturer. Continue Reading
Xaloy will use money from the JobsOhio program to construct its upcoming Innovation Center. | SevenMaps/Shutterstock
Plastics recycling equipment company Xaloy will build an R&D facility in Ohio, with a goal of developing technologies to support the use of recycled resins. Continue Reading
A financial presentation from Unifi reported “strong adoption” of RPET chip and flake in the Americas in the fourth quarter of the 2023 fiscal year. | Don Pablo/Shutterstock
For Unifi, greater sales of recycled PET flakes and chips in the Americas provided one bright spot amid an otherwise gloomy business environment last year. Continue Reading
Canada remains the top destination for U.S. exports of plastic bales, taking in 10% more of them this year than it did in 2022. | StockStudio/Shutterstock
Exports of recovered plastics fell during the first six months of 2023, newly released federal trade statistics show. Continue Reading
Leaders at Polyfit hope to take advantage of a changing legislative landscape that is creating demand for film that contains PCR. | Courtesy of Polyfit
Plastics reclaimer Polyfit invested up to $7 million expanding its campus in northern Mexico, boosting its polyethylene recycling capacity at a time of rising demand in the U.S.
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Republic Services’ materials recovery facility in North Las Vegas will send bales of scrap plastics to Republic’s new nearby Polymer Center, which will recycle PET and sort and ship PE and PP to Blue Polymers. | Courtesy of Republic Services
Republic Services expects to invest about $160 million over the next five or six years into building four polyolefins recycling facilities around the country. When completed, the plants could bring the company up to $32 million in annual earnings. Continue Reading
Novolex, which produces the recycled-content ProWAVE Tote and other recycled content bags and packaging, used more PCR in North America last year but its overall global percentage of resin that came from post-consumer and post-industrial sources dropped. | Courtesy of Novolex
Bag, packaging and utensils producer Novolex used more PCR in its products in North America last year, but the company’s overall PCR usage dropped slightly due to supply challenges in the U.K. Continue Reading
Eastman’s upcoming Kingsport, Tenn. plant was initially estimated to cost $250 million over two years, but recent financial filings suggest the price tag has crept upward. | William Griffith/Shutterstock
The CEO of Eastman Chemicals said today’s low PET prices are slowing negotiations over contracts to sell chemically recycled PET to brand owners, but he remains confident that recycled-content mandates and Eastman’s technological advantage will push the deals over the finish line. Continue Reading