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.
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.
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.
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.
Bales of PET and natural HDPE containers are fetching higher prices, while color HDPE continues to slip downwards in value this month.
After multiple mechanical issues over the past year, the recycled PP resin startup is feeling optimistic. | Praethip Docekalova/Shutterstock
The PureCycle PP processing plant in Ironton, Ohio, has produced more than 1.1 million pounds of resin pellets since restarting May 30, according to the latest company update. CEO Dustin Olson elaborated on the progress in an interview. Continue Reading
The acquisition is the second in 2024 for Arkansas-based Revolution, with the CEO signaling in January that more would follow. | Joyce Blessthink/Shutterstock
Revolution Sustainable Solutions acquired Norflex, a Wisconsin-based producer of agricultural and industrial films, the companies announced July 9. Continue Reading
Vipada Kanajod/Shutterstock
A lawsuit targeting major brand owners drew reader interest last month, along with stories examining the history of extended producer responsibility in British Columbia, brand owners extending PCR target dates, a recycled-content bag ban in California and the value of collaboration across the plastics value chain.
The paper from MIT researchers used a 10-cent deposit model to explore the potential effects on MRFs. | Emilija Miljkovic/Shutterstock
A nationwide 10-cent deposit on PET beverage containers could push the recycling rate for the material to over 80% in the next decade with a high level of bottle-to-bottle circularity, a MIT study suggested. Continue Reading