Back to Top

Category: News

Brightmark bankruptcy: Parent company wins auction bid

Published: May 29, 2025
Updated:

by

A judge favored Brightmark’s parent company over a slightly higher bid, preferring Brightmark’s plan to keep the facility operating over the competing bid’s liquidation plan. | Photo courtesy of Brightmark

Brightmark’s bankrupt Indiana pyrolysis facility has been sold to parent company Brightmark for $14.3 million in a move that will keep the facility operating and retain most or all of its more than 100 employees, a judge ruled this month. The latest development came after a competitive auction process with plenty of twists and turns.
Continue Reading

Financing, uncertainty feed EU recycler bankruptcies

Published: May 29, 2025
Updated:

by

Despite sweeping legislative mandates that would seem to result in stronger demand for recycled content, Europe has seen its own share of hurdles to PCR adoptions. | Ugis Riba/Shutterstock

While delays and court setbacks have provided a temporary and tenuous reprieve from President Donald Trump’s market-disrupting tariffs, the European recycling sector continues to struggle with a rash of bankruptcies, most filed months before the trade war even began.
Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

CAA announces program updates, personnel changes

Published: May 29, 2025
Updated:

by

Producer responsibility organization Circular Action Alliance is making staffing changes in California as implementation ramps up. | zmotions/Shutterstock

Changes are coming at producer responsibility organization Circular Action Alliance in California, with Rachel Wagoner moving out of the California executive director role and into an “external advisory capacity.” Continue Reading

Pepsi reduces global PCR goal, extends target date

Published: May 29, 2025
Updated:

by

PepsiCo will now shoot for 40% global recycled plastic use by 2035, instead of 50% by 2030. | FotograFFF/Shutterstock

Citing factors outside the company’s control, brand giant PepsiCo has softened its global post-consumer recycled content target and given itself more time to achieve the goal. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

WM unveils bigger, better film recycling plant in Texas

Published: May 29, 2025
Updated:

by

The $150 million plant near Houston — nearly three times bigger than the original — will ramp up throughout 2025 to its monthly capacity of 7.5 million pounds of resin. | Photo Courtesy of Natura

The nation’s largest waste services provider, WM, is unveiling its new $150 million plastic film recycling facility in Waller, Texas. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

SB 54 draft regulations elicit ample feedback

Published: May 29, 2025
Updated:

by

In March, California Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected SB 54 draft regulations, forcing the rulemaking process to restart. | Brandon Bourdages/Shutterstock

The first public opportunity to comment on California’s latest extended producer responsibility for packaging draft regulations stretched past the allotted time frame, with some speakers saying changes to a chemical recycling regulation section were unlawful.  Continue Reading

Bale pricing bucks seasonal trend, trade alliances shift

Published: May 21, 2025
Updated:

by

Foreign trade partners see risk as well as opportunity amid tariff-related chaos, market sources said. | Alones/Shutterstock

This story has been corrected.

Post-consumer plastics bales are defying typical springtime trends, with average pricing in May reported flat-to-softer on the month as the peak summer season nears. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

PakTech prepares for benefits, challenges under EPR

Published: May 21, 2025
Updated:

by

PakTech uses injection molding equipment and blow-molding-grade material, as well as modular equipment designs, for cost and speed efficiency. | Marissa Heffernan/Resource Recycling

Extended producer responsibility programs, labeling requirements and minimum PCR mandates offer both challenges and opportunities, and company leaders at 100% PCR packaging manufacturer PakTech have been steadily working to position the company for the future. Continue Reading