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].
More honesty in recyclability labeling could save brands the trouble of going to court – without costing them much in sales. | Ivan Alex Burchak/Shutterstock
After Keurig Green Mountain reached a class-action settlement in a case concerning the company’s K-Cup recyclability claims, the plaintiffs anticipated the brand owner would end up paying consumers $1.25 million.
Money from states and various recycling organizations is being put toward boosting plastics collection, MRF upgrades and several other projects. | MinskDesign/Shutterstock
Clear Path Recycling, Direct Pack Recycling, Wenplastics, the Ocean Legacy Foundation, Goodwill Industries/Hydroblox and a slew of other plastics recycling companies are among the recipients of recently awarded grants. Continue Reading
Although it is opposed by the plastics and packaging industry, the EPS ban enjoys support from environmental groups and the Association of Oregon Recyclers. | Wk1003 Mike/Shutterstock
Oregon lawmakers sent the governor bills that ban polystyrene food service ware and allow restaurants to serve food in their customers’ reusable containers. Continue Reading
LyondellBasell announced progress on its production of recycled polymers, and Sonoco announced it used 10% recycled content in its plastic packaging last year. | Madam F/Shutterstock
Two major companies, plastics producer LyondellBasell and packaging manufacturer Sonoco, recently published sustainability reports. The following are their plastics recycling takeaways. Continue Reading
The U.S. EPA is seeking comments on its recently published “National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution.” | SerPhoto/Shutterstock
Although it doesn’t use the word “ban,” the U.S. EPA released a plastics pollution strategy that supports steps to reduce production of single-use and difficult-to-recycle plastics. Continue Reading
At its new location, Greystone plans to produce pallets made of 100% recycled resin. | Courtesy of Greystone Logistics
Greystone Logistics, which recycles tens of millions of pounds of recovered polyethylene a year into pallets, has acquired a pallet production operation in Indiana. Continue Reading
Throughout Europe and North America, researchers and chemical companies are making strides in recycling technology. | Courtesy of Polykar
A research institute developed a recycled plastic deodorizing process, and a packaging maker installed a system for recycling heavily printed LDPE film scrap. The following are details on those and other recent technology-related announcements: Continue Reading
Most beverage brands failed to meet CalRecycle’s requirements for PCR use or didn’t report to the regulator at all. | Noom CPK/Shutterstock
This story has been updated.
Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo and other big beverage brands achieved California’s mandate to use 15% PCR in their bottles last year, but the list of smaller brands that failed to hit the target – or even report data to the state – stretches over 500 companies long. Continue Reading
According to data from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, about 6.3% of the plastic packaging PepsiCo produced in 2021 was PCR. | Zety Akhzar/Shutterstock
PepsiCo will increase its RPET use in Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Aquafina drink bottles in the U.S. in 2023, the company announced. Continue Reading
A view inside T3’s PET recycling facility, which produces hot washed flakes, in Athi River, Kenya. | Courtesy of T3 Limited
When it comes to PET bottle recycling in Kenya, a lot will sound familiar to North American audiences: demand for food-grade RPET outpaces supply, collection remains a challenge, and companies want to shorten supply chains. Continue Reading