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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].

FDA issues letters for HDPE and PET recycling

Published: March 2, 2020
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Close up of an empty plastic milk jug.

The FDA recently approved a recycling process that allows post-consumer HDPE at up to 100% in new products including milk and juice bottles. | Val Lawless/Shutterstock

Erema Group got the go-ahead to use its technology to recycle HDPE into food and drink packaging and foodservice wares. Meanwhile, other companies got federal green lights for PET recycling.

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The big issues in chemical recycling? They’ll sound familiar

Published: February 26, 2020
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Holli Alexander of Eastman Chemical said collection unknowns are part of the current chemical recycling landscape. | Plastics Recycling Conference / Brian Adams Photography

When it comes to development and commercialization of chemical recycling technologies, interest is high. A chemical recycling workshop at last week’s Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show was sold out, with over 300 attendees.

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Indorama provides details on purchase of PET recycling firm

Published: February 26, 2020
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Indorama said the acquisition of Green Fiber International extends the company’s recycled flake supply chain to the West Coast. | fizkes/Shutterstock

Global PET producer Indorama Ventures paid nearly $25 million for California PET reclaimer Green Fiber International, new financial disclosures show.

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Can credit trading drive dollars to plastics recovery?

Published: February 18, 2020
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A program officer with Verra explained that the group’s credit-trading system would give companies an avenue to mitigate plastic waste outside the scope of their value chain. | Warut Chinsai/Shutterstock

An initiative backed by several major brands is looking to boost the flow of corporate money to vetted plastics recovery and recycling projects.

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Recycled-content bill advances in one state legislature

Published: February 18, 2020
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Legislation in Washington would require beverage manufacturers’ containers to have an average of 10% recycled content starting in 2022. | Yokolev Sergey/Shutterstock

A bill that has cleared the Washington state House of Representatives would mandate minimum levels of recycled plastic in beverage bottles.

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Report: Value of curbside materials drops 66% in two years

Published: February 12, 2020
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Curbside recycling carts in front of residential properties.

The Recycling Partnership’s “2020 State of Curbside” report delves into updated data on recycling in the U.S. | stephen rudolph/Shutterstock

To quickly grasp the struggles facing American curbside recycling programs, one can follow the money – or lack thereof. In July 2017, a ton of recyclables was worth over $90. In October 2019, it was worth $30. That’s according to new research from The Recycling Partnership.

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Avangard details its upcoming PCR projects

Published: February 5, 2020
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Bales of plastic films for recycling.

Avangard plans to bring a Mexico City-area facility on-line at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020 or early in the first quarter of 2021. | taniascamera/Shutterstock

After opening a film recycling facility in the Houston area, Avangard Innovative will develop a similar processing site in the Mexico City area, the company’s CEO said.

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Two bottles and a tube meet APR’s recyclability standards

Published: February 3, 2020
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Living Proof recently tested the recyclability of some of the company’s hair care product packaging.

The Association of Plastic Recyclers recently recognized the recyclability of three packaging innovations: a 100% plastic aerosol bottle, a tube with an EVOH barrier, and an HDPE bottle with copolymer coating.

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