The data gleaned from AI imaging systems can help improve MRF operations on a wider scale. | Photo courtesy EverestLabs
Equipment supplier EverestLabs recently highlighted a handful of examples of how artificial intelligence-equipped data analytics can help MRF operators modify equipment settings to improve commodity recovery. Continue Reading
Crystal Bayliss of the U.S. Plastics Pact emphasized that procurement involves far more than just haggling prices, a sentiment echoed by an Orbis executive. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling
With PCR requirements increasing rapidly, companies throughout plastics value chains face similar challenges in controlling feedstock supply, scaling up supply and managing capital costs. This sentiment was clear during a Plastics Recycling Conference session as well as a recent industry interview. Continue Reading
Brightmark says it is engaged in a “robust” sale process involving numerous interested parties, in response to allegations from a key creditor. | Serthayos Sansuwansri/Shutterstock
As of early this month, two dozen interested parties had signed non-disclosure agreements expressing interest in bidding on Brightmark’s Indiana chemical recycling facility, which filed for bankruptcy last month. A sale process is set to take place over the next few weeks, culminating May 9. Continue Reading
Although natural HDPE continued its recent price runup, other curbside plastic grades were flat or fell marginally in value over the past month, with PET and color HDPE seeing dips. Continue Reading
Although recent tariffs may exclude resin shipments, market players are seeing no shortage of confusion and consternation. | AlexKol Photography/Shutterstock
After many weeks of shifting narratives and uncertainty, participants in recycled polymer markets are working to navigate the new tariff environment, in which buyers and sellers as well as customs officials struggle to align federal mandates with on-the-ground implementation. Continue Reading
A proposed International Recycling Group facility in Pennsylvania, seen here in a 2021 rendering, has been canceled concurrent with the project’s loss of federal funding. | Courtesy of International Recycling Group
Dramatic federal funding cuts have affected at least two plastics recycling efforts, contributing to a major project being canceled in Pennsylvania and forcing an accelerated timeline for self-sufficiency at an Alaska composite lumber operation. Continue Reading
WM plans to spend about $3 billion on 39 recycling facilities and 20 renewable natural gas projects by 2026. | Photo Courtesy of WM
MRFs in Maryland, Texas, Minnesota and Canada re-opened after upgrades that included optical sorters, artificial intelligence and film vacuums.
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With its latest sustainability report, Walmart became the latest mega-brand to announce it was unlikely to meet its voluntary commitments for plastics. | Harun Ozmen/Shutterstock
With the arrival of the benchmark year of 2025, two industry giants announced challenges and progress in meeting the ambitious plastics-related goals set for this year. Continue Reading
Panelists at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference spoke about the current landscape for food-grade PP recycling, where it came from and what’s needed to improve recycling rates. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling, Inc.
The technology for sorting and recycling PP back into food-grade packaging already exists, and with more value chain alignment, it is poised to take off at scale, those involved at all levels of the process said during a session at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference. Continue Reading