About 2% of total energy consumption in the U.S. is used to make plastics, resins and synthetic rubber, and the production of fossil-fuel-based plastics generates about 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a recent federal report. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
The federal government is eyeing plastics recycling to tackle energy, environmental and manufacturing goals and the Department of Energy recently released an updated Strategy for Plastics Innovation report. Continue Reading
The application process for a second round of the Reuse Catalyst program will open in late 2023 or early 2024. | Natalia Deriabina/Shutterstock
In an effort to increase reuse and refill infrastructure in the U.S., the U.S. Plastics Pact announced its first class of Reuse Catalyst grantees. Continue Reading
Dylan de Thomas with The Recycling Partnership believes that EPR policies could help the U.S. achieve higher recycling rates. | vvoe/Shutterstock
The last several years have been a real roller coaster ride in the news for recycling, with the industry being called all manner of pejoratives, up to and including “dead.”
Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) recycles over half a billion pounds of plastics, including a large portion of the color HDPE produced by U.S. recycling programs, into pipes, septic systems and other water-management products. | Courtesy of ADS
Economic conditions are taking their toll on two huge end users of recycled plastic, Advanced Drainage Systems and Unifi. Continue Reading
Nonprofit Ocean Legacy Foundation partnered with the Regional District of Mount Waddington to open an Ocean Plastic Depot at 7 Mile Landfill and Recycling Centre. | Courtesy of the Ocean Legacy Foundation
British Columbians have another place to recycle plastics collected during shoreline, ocean and industrial cleanups. Continue Reading
Kevin Kelly, CEO of California-based Emerald Packaging, said his company already internally recycles clear scrap plastics, but needs support to reach its diversion and PCR goals. | Praethip Docekalova/Shutterstock
Post-consumer resin is the way forward, the head of flexible film producer Emerald Packaging said. But it’s going to take commitment, collaboration and follow-through from many different actors to reach full PCR potential.
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So far, 21 states have passed laws classifying chemical recycling as manufacturing rather than waste disposal, changing the emissions laws the processes are subject to. | Rosemarie Mosteller/Shutterstock
Over 70 organizations and businesses signed a letter to New Mexico’s governor last week, asking her not to classify chemical recycling as recycling. Continue Reading
Pierre Beaudry, general manager for NexKemia, and Gilles Venne, director of operations for Eco-Captation, at Eco-Captation’s PS recycling plant. | Courtesy of Nexkemia
Quebec-based petrochemicals company NexKemia has acquired the assets of post-consumer polystyrene reclaimer Eco-Captation. Continue Reading
The governor plans to make his recommendations to the Connecticut Legislature during the current legislative session. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock
Gov. Ned Lamont is looking at extended producer responsibility for packaging, better organics diversion and minimum PCR requirements to help address Connecticut’s waste management woes. Continue Reading