A local producer of 100% recycled PET water bottles is bringing in-state bottle processing capacity to Hawaii. | Courtesy of Waiākea Water
Waiākea Inc., a producer of 100% recycled PET bottles for water sourced from an active volcano, is installing bottle-to-bottle processing equipment at its Hilo, Hawaii facility with a planned capacity of 52 million pounds per year. Continue Reading
Nine large companies that are part of World Wildlife Fund’s ReSource: Plastic project reported that they increased their average use of recycled plastic from 10.2% in 2021 to 12.0% in 2022. | David Gyung/Shutterstock
Some of the largest brand owners slightly increased the amount of recycled plastic they used globally in 2022. And in the U.S., end market demand for RPET grew notably last year, even as bottle collection slipped. Continue Reading
A group of Canadian packaging stakeholders are exploring ways to optimize the recycling system for flexible plastics. | Patpitchaya
Results from the first phase of a study into Canada’s recycling system found that flexible materials account for 47% of the plastic packaging put on the Canadian market. Continue Reading
Pinnpack, formerly owned by CarbonLite, will significantly increase its processing capacity with help from the loan. | Millenius/Shutterstock
The state of California provided a $3.5 million loan to an RPET thermoform manufacturer to help it triple its production capacity and decrease employee headcount, according to state records. Continue Reading
Experts in EPR compliance say the best time to prepare is right now, and there are resources that can help. | Konektus Photo/Shutterstock
The first packaging data reporting deadline for extended producer responsibility programs doesn’t come until 2025, which seems far in the future, but compliance experts are warning that companies should start the massive undertaking now.
The end of the year has brought an increase in scrap plastic prices, with PET, natural HDPE and color HDPE increasing by 10%, 9% and 15%, respectively. Continue Reading
Jared Paben outside of ORPET, a PET bottle recycling plant in St. Helens, Ore., in May 2023.
After nine years at Resource Recycling, publisher of Plastics Recycling Update, I have decided to leave to seize life’s next adventure. Continue Reading
The bag, which has up to 30% PCR, is for Andy Boy romaine hearts. | Courtesy of Emerald Packaging
Flexible packaging company Emerald Packaging has released a plastic bag for romaine hearts that has up to 30% PCR. Continue Reading
A handful of states have modernized their bottle bills in recent years, and pressure to enact programs in non-bottle-bill states appears to be growing, according to panelists on a recent webinar. | Monticello/Shutterstock
Deposit return systems are poised to take center legislative stage in the coming years, with strong potential benefits for the environment and economy, the Container Recycling Institute noted in a recent analysis and webinar. Continue Reading