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Eureka upgrades to tackle increase in small plastics

Published: July 24, 2024
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The Eureka Recycling MRF in Minneapolis will install several Machinex optical sorters in response to an increase in smaller plastic containers that have challenged the MRF’s ability to maintain quality. | Courtesy of Eureka Recycling

Minneapolis nonprofit MRF operator Eureka Recycling is seeing larger volumes of smaller plastics coming through its doors, creating challenges to maintain the same level of material quality. These changes spurred the company to plan substantial facility upgrades, a co-president said this week. Continue Reading

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AMP lays out vision of next-generation, AI-driven MRFs

Published: July 24, 2024
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Mixed plastics for sorting and recycling.

AMP’s systems combine color cameras and AI to improve sorting accuracy in MRFs, but the company founder said there are more ways to harness that power. | Marina Onokhina

Putting AI and robotics into a MRF is one thing. Designing a MRF with AI and robotics makes for an entirely different experience, according to AMP founder and CEO Matanya Horowitz. Continue Reading

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Industry reacts to federal plastic pollution strategy

Published: July 24, 2024
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The Biden administration’s “Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution: Progress, Principles and Priorities” strategy includes actions intended to reduce pollution from the production of plastics. | Poring Studio/Shutterstock

The Biden administration released a federal strategy aimed at reducing plastic pollution, drawing mixed responses from industry players.  Continue Reading

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Massive plastics recycling project draws federal backing

Published: July 24, 2024
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International Recycling Group has secured a guarantee for up to $182.6 million in loans from the DOE, and is looking to proceed with its long-planned project, which incorporates plastic resin production and plastic waste as feedstock for furnaces used in steel manufacture. | TKCREDIT/Shutterstock

A Pennsylvania project from International Recycling Group has gained momentum, with a commitment for a multimillion-dollar loan from the U.S. Department of Energy. Continue Reading

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Novolex reports lower global PCR usage

Published: July 17, 2024
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Novolex building seen from above.

Although overall PCR usage dropped in 2023, Novolex’s paper segment reached its highest share of recycled content since 2020. | Photo Courtesy of Novolex

Packaging producer Novolex reported slightly lower post-consumer recycled content usage in its plastic products for 2023, according to the company’s latest sustainability report.

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National lab builds polymer database for recycling studies

Published: July 17, 2024
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Lab science scene with dropper and tubes.

Scientists at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory created a plastic polymer database to help other researchers study plastics more efficiently. | PowerUp/Shutterstock

A team led by U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers is working to provide a baseline for plastic recycling studies with a new database of polymer data. 

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Amazon: Business growth at root of plastic use increase

Published: July 17, 2024
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Amazon Prime plastic bubble shipping mailer.

Amazon largely focused on its efforts to reduce plastic use, such as substituting recycled paper for flexible fillers and making packaging suitable for curbside collection. | oasisamuel/Shutterstock

In its 2023 sustainability report, global retail powerhouse Amazon highlighted its efforts to reduce packaging materials and to make its packaging suitable for curbside collection but provided few details on PCR usage.

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Dispelling ‘silver bullet’ thinking in film recycling

Published: July 17, 2024
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Fabrizio Di Gregorio, technical director for Plastics Recyclers Europe, Roxanne Spiekerman, vice president of public affairs for PreZero US, and Lou Fenech, North America packaging sustainability manager for Mondelēz International, talked about challenges to recycling flexible packaging at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Big Wave Productions/Plastics Recycling Update

Increasing film recycling takes coordinated efforts by both brand owners and reclaimers – and it takes a true understanding that one sector can’t solve the issue alone, speakers said at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference in March.

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Plastic industry weathers Beryl’s effects

Published: July 17, 2024
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Texas experienced its first major hurricane of the season in early July, with significant power outages, but peak storm season has yet to occur. | Vladimir-Martinov/Shutterstock

As the first major hurricane of the season hit Texas last week, MRFs and processors braced for disrupted services, flooding and power outages, which are familiar obstacles for Gulf Coast operators each June through November.

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