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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].

Republic sees strong pricing in polymer center offtakes

Published: March 6, 2023
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Plastics processing in Republic's Las Vegas recycling facility.

Leaders at the second-largest North American garbage and recycling company see great promise in recycled-content packaging. | Courtesy of Republic Services

Republic Services has begun work on its second polymer center, this one a Midwest facility that will aggregate, sort, grind and wash scrap plastics from throughout the region.  Continue Reading

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Citing markets, Trex to delay Arkansas campus completion

Published: March 6, 2023
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Trex Facilities

Facing sluggish sales of its plastic-wood composite lumber, Trex will hold off on construction until at least 2026. | Courtesy of Trex

One of North America’s largest polyethylene film recycling companies is pushing back the expected opening year for its third recycling and composite lumber production campus. Continue Reading

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FDA awards letters to notable names in PCR production

Published: March 6, 2023
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Fourteen companies got the go-ahead to use post-consumer resins in various food-contact applications. | Ladnongkhun/Shutterstock

Merlin Plastics, Natura PCR, Circulus, Far Eastern New Century and other prominent plastics reclaimers have received FDA letters allowing them to recycle post-consumer plastics into food and drink packaging. 

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Grant brings film recovery tech to Southeast facility

Published: February 28, 2023
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Money from the Film and Flexibles Recycling Coalition will go toward helping AMP install its Vortex system, which sorts film away from other material streams. | Courtesy of AMP Robotics

AMP Robotics has received a grant to help it kick-start recovery of polyolefin films at a secondary sortation facility in Georgia.

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REMADE to support $20 million in R&D projects

Published: February 28, 2023
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The REMADE Institute has funded $98 million worth of projects in the past five years. | NicoElNino/Shutterstock

A federally funded institute is offering up another $10 million in public funds to support recycling, reuse and remanufacturing R&D projects, including projects focused on plastics recycling technologies.

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California seeks members for key EPR board

Published: February 21, 2023
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California flag

CalRecycle is looking for 16 people to facilitate implementation of its landmark EPR law. | ksanawo/Shutterstock

California officials are accepting applications from industry professionals who want to advise the state as it implements an extended producer responsibility program for curbside recyclables. 

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California bill aims to align deposit system with markets

Published: February 21, 2023
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SB 353 aims to protect recycling companies from severe market fluctuations, which have been a factor in many closures. | Susanne Pommer/Shutterstock

A newly introduced bill in the California Senate would adjust how state regulators calculate the amount of money paid to bottle and can recycling businesses, helping those companies avoid steep financial losses when scrap values plummet.
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US plastic exports fell at a faster rate in 2022

Published: February 21, 2023
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Years after the implementation of China’s National Sword policy, the U.S. continues to export less and less plastic. | Jared Paben/Plastics Recycling Update

The decline in U.S. scrap plastic exports accelerated for the second year in a row, according to recently released U.S. Census Bureau trade data.  Continue Reading

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WM to invest $125M expanding PCR production

Published: February 14, 2023
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Finished pellets at Avangard Innovative.

The Natura PCR facility in Waller, Texas produces post-consumer resin for a variety of applications. | Courtesy of Avangard Innovative

After spending many millions of dollars buying plastics reclaimer Avangard Innovative last year, Waste Management now plans to invest another $125 million expanding its film recycling business. Continue Reading

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