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Author Archives: Marissa Heffernan and Jared Paben

Why EPR for packaging failed in Washington state

Published: March 30, 2022
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Graphic showing cogs of rules, regulations, compliance, standards and policies.

Extended producer responsibility proposals have been discussed in several states in 2022. | EtiAmmos/Shutterstock

A Washington state zero waste group was engaging in “intense negotiations” on an extended producer responsibility bill this year, but the legislation stalled anyway. One advocate said she’s now looking at other states to help inspire next steps.

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Indorama to invest $8 billion in chemical recycling and more

Published: March 30, 2022
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Indorama company building in Jarkarta, Indonesia.

Over the next several years Indorama will invest over $8 billion in chemical recycling and bio-derived plastics. | CAHYADI SUGI/Shutterstock

Chasing its sustainability goals, global PET producer Indorama is going to spend $8 billion over the next eight years to help scale up chemically recycled and bio-based plastics.

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GDB increases PCR production to 80 million pounds annually

Published: March 23, 2022
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baled plastic films

GDB in installing additional post-consumer resin processing lines, which will give the company a total production capacity of 80 million pounds per year. | PhilipR/Shutterstock

GDB International is expanding its film recycling capabilities and plans to add more collection points nationwide, betting on increased demand for post-consumer LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE.

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Study: Modernized bottle bills boost redemption, save money

Published: March 23, 2022
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Bottle return at a reverse vending machine.

A study found that modernizing bottle bills in five Northeast states could create up to $160 million in savings to local governments and add up to $1.4 billion to the region’s economy annually. | Pazargic Liviu/Shutterstock

By updating older deposit return systems, states can create jobs, increase municipal savings and boost recycling rates, according to research from nonprofit Reloop North America.
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APR elects 2022 board of directors

Published: March 23, 2022
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Roxanne Spiekerman of PreZero US

Roxanne Spiekerman of PreZero US was elected APR board chair for the upcoming year. | Plastics Recycling Conference/Brian Adams Photo

The Association of Plastic Recyclers has chosen its executive committee and board of directors for the coming year.

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Google identifies ‘interventions’ to boost plastics recovery

Published: March 23, 2022
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Various plastic items arranged on a pink background.

A report from Google suggests that reaching a circular economy will require rethinking design, reducing resource consumption, recycling and other interventions. | Nevodka/Shutterstock

A report from one of the world’s biggest tech companies finds that both chemical and mechanical recycling will be needed to close the plastics loop by 2040. The company also discusses taxes on virgin plastics.

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The Recycling Partnership rolls out grant program for PET

Published: March 16, 2022
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PET bottles for recycling.

The PET Recycling Coalition will launch in the next few months and will provide grants to MRFs and other facilities to increase the capture of PET beyond bottles. | Kwangmoozaa/Shutterstock

The Recycling Partnership will launch a PET Recycling Coalition to find solutions for common recycling challenges, a representative of the nonprofit group announced at last week’s Plastics Recycling Conference.

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Conference panelists outline state of plastics recycling policy

Published: March 7, 2022
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David Biderman, far right, addresses the audience at the 2022 Plastics Recycling Conference | Brian Adams Photo

Interest in minimum-recycled-content mandates and extended producer responsibility bills is at an all-time high, but the reality of passing legislation is more complicated, according to industry experts.

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