The closure of California reclaimer rPlanet Earth has set alarm bells ringing for the North American plastics recycling industry, as sustainability legislation fails to sufficiently support Europe’s recyclers. | Christophe Licoppe / Shutterstock
In recent weeks, industry calls to action have grown louder about addressing the existential crisis in Europe’s plastics recycling sector, despite the region’s rapidly advancing sustainability mandates. Continue Reading
The sudden inclusion of both virgin and recycled PET in US tariff lists is good news for domestic recyclers, but frustrating for importers. | Tezzstock/Shutterstock
Editor’s Note: Resin markets will be featured in sessions at the 2026 Plastics Recycling Conference, Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, California. Register now for the best rates.
The sudden inclusion of PET resin in the list of imports subject to hefty tariffs is causing concern for some stakeholders and relief for others, even as a disappointing peak summer season draws to a close. Continue Reading
MRFs in the Northeast saw recycled commodity prices dip in Q2 2025, with haulers reflecting a continuing decrease in their quarterly earnings results. | Rozenskip/Shutterstock
In the Northeast, recycled commodity prices continued to decline in April-June, with MRFs experiencing an average decrease of nearly 6% compared to the first quarter of 2025, according to the Northeast Recycling Council’s (NERC) second-quarter MRF Values Survey Report. Continue Reading
Charter Next Generation will use chemically recycled polyethylene produced at Shell’s plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, in its flexible packaging.| Photo courtesy Shell Polymers
Editor’s Note: Chemical recycling will be featured in sessions at the 2026 Plastics Recycling Conference, Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, California. Register now for the best rates.
Specialty film producer Charter Next Generation has agreed to buy polyethylene (PE) produced by Shell Polymers using chemically recycled feedstock, for use in high-performance flexible packaging. Continue Reading
PET resin previously was not subject to the 2025 tariffs, and the move drew comment from APR but added to market confusion. | BigPixel/Shutterstock
Editor’s note: This is a developing story.
US President Donald Trump has expanded tariffs to include PET resin as of Sept. 8, according to a new executive order. The move drew comment from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) because of its expected impact on imported resin, but added uncertainty to the market.
JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
Delays on chemical recycling plants drew reader interest in August, as well as a major polypropylene expansion in Oregon, the collapse of global plastics treaty talks and a lawsuit over Oregon’s new extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for packaging.
Multiple lawsuits over the past five years have challenged claims over the recyclability of the company’s plastic garbage bags. | ADragan/Shutterstock
Reynolds Consumer Products is facing a new lawsuit from the Arizona attorney general regarding its Hefty and Great Value brand bags. Continue Reading
Aduro Clean Technologies posted a wider loss in 2025 as it advanced an Ontario pilot plant, signed new MOUs and raised funds through a US equity offering. | Yuriy Chertok/Shutterstock
Aduro Clean Technologies reported a wider operating loss for fiscal year 2025 as it increased spending on research and pilot-scale construction. Continue Reading