The slow progress of the U.N. committee tasked with crafting a global plastics agreement has many frustrated, but others see sunshine on the horizon. | Courtesy of INC-3
As the third meeting of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee wrapped up in Kenya, delegates once again expressed frustration about the slow progress toward an internationally binding resolution on plastic pollution. Continue Reading
Fall is bringing a rise in scrap plastics pricing, with both curbside PET and HDPE experiencing notable increases in November.
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Analysts at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimate that with full global cooperation, plastics use in products could be reduced by 30% compared to 2020 levels. | DeawSS/Shutterstock
Countries must work together to enact policies that reduce virgin plastic demand, support design for recyclability, bolster recycling systems and improve collection.
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Delegates face the difficult challenge of balancing the often conflicting interests of the negotiating countries. | Photo by IISD/ENB | Anastasia Rodopoulou
The third meeting of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee officially kicked off Monday, inching the world closer to an internationally binding resolution on plastic pollution. Continue Reading
Researchers suggest “practical interventions” to promote knowledge sharing about plastics recycling. | Things/Shutterstock
Nonprofit group The Circulate Initiative has published the results of first-of-its-kind research exploring recycled plastic pricing in India and three Southeast Asian countries. Continue Reading
A grinder at rPlanet Earth in the Los Angeles area. The PET reclaimer recently received a grant from the PET Recycling Coalition. | Courtesy of rPlanet Earth
The PET Recycling Coalition has given grants to four companies, including a plastics reclaimer, to help them better recover and recycle post-consumer PET. Continue Reading
Unifi, Advanced Drainage Systems, Trex and Greystone Logistics all recently released details on their finances. | Thapana Studio/Shutterstock
PET recycling company Unifi continues to enjoy higher sales of its flake and chip, even as recycled polyester fiber sales remain in the dumps. That was one takeaway in recent earnings releases from Unifi, Advanced Drainage Systems, Trex and Greystone Logistics. Continue Reading
A report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation reveals that major brand owners and retailers increased their use of PCR from 10.0% in 2021 to 11.7% in 2022. One of the largest, PepsiCo, increased from 6.3% PCR to 7.3%. | pixinoo/Shutterstock
The fifth report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation found that a few big-name brands’ increased use of virgin plastic has been offsetting the overall reduction achieved by the rest of the reporting companies. Continue Reading
Dan Leif, the outgoing editorial director of Resource Recycling, on a facility tour earlier this year. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling
I’ve always encouraged our editorial team to get straight to the point, so I will do that here: After more than 10 years at Resource Recycling, I am off to explore new endeavors. My tenure with the company ends this Friday. Continue Reading
A rendering of the Republic Polymer Center set for Indianapolis. | Courtesy of Republic Services
Republic Services announced that its second plastics processing and production hub, expected to come on-line in late 2024, will be located in Indianapolis. Continue Reading