News that Sonoco is closing a Yakima, Wash. facility that uses recovered PET drew attention last month. | Iurii N/Shutterstock
Articles about the U.S. plastics recycling rate, as well as the country’s contributions to ocean litter, drew our readers’ attention last month.
The Yakima, Wash. facility uses recovered PET to produce thermoform packaging for produce. | Iurii N/Shutterstock
This story has been updated.
Sonoco is planning to shutter a West Coast thermoforming operation that uses recycled PET, with layoffs scheduled to start Dec. 20.
Amcor sees the greatest opportunity for use of PCR in its PET and HDPE rigid packaging portfolio. | Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock
Amcor, one of the largest packaging producers in the world, used nearly 84,000 metric tons of PCR during the 2020 fiscal year, according to its sustainability report.
An employment lawyer recently said there isn’t a clear answer yet on whether non-healthcare employers can force employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, but there are some indications they’ll be allowed to. | Rohane Hamilton/Shutterstock
As the country gets closer to coronavirus vaccine approvals and distribution, recycling business managers may soon face a thorny question: whether to force employees to take the vaccine.
Braskem works with both mechanical and chemical recycling processors to produce its PCR. | StanislauV/Shutterstock
Polyolefins giant Braskem has set its sights on expanding post-consumer resin production as part of the company’s new sustainability commitments.
Recently released data shows the U.S. plastics recycling rate held steady at 8.5% in 2018. | nelladel/Shutterstock
The U.S. recycling and composting rate declined significantly in 2018, but certain materials fared better than others, according to figures from the federal government. The drop was partially due to a change in how the rate was calculated.
Bales of plastic material for sortation at the Pacific Northwest demonstration facility. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling, Inc.
Following a similar demonstration in the Pacific Northwest last year, industry stakeholders are launching an initiative to recover additional material from the municipal stream in New York and four other states.
Last month, Loop Industries disclosed it was being sued by investors and that federal regulators had issued it a subpoena for documents. | Zolnierek/Shutterstock
Troubles are mounting for PET depolymerization startup Loop Industries. It has lost a key supply contract and also faces lawsuits and an investigation by regulators.
The average price of natural HDPE bales have reached another record high this month. Continue Reading
American Styrenics noted that chemical recycling technologies will be key to helping it achieve its goals of boosting recycled-content in foodservice packaging. | Karina Serova/Shutterstock
Polystyrene producer Americas Styrenics announced a goal of having 25% recycled content in foodservice and food packaging products by 2030.