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Second global plastics meeting makes progress

Published: June 6, 2023
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Flags from various nations against a blue sky background.

Many parties involved with the agreement see promise in the negotiations, but serious disagreements remain. | Gerain0812/Shutterstock

The second meeting to create a global plastics agreement ended with delegates agreeing to have a draft prepared in six months’ time, despite delays at the outset of negotiations. Continue Reading

Packaging EPR bill gets end-of-session push in New York

Published: June 6, 2023
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New York state capitol building in Albany.

The amended extended producer responsibility bill enjoys support from Members of New York’s legislature, but faces opposition from several brands and industry groups. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock

Some New York legislators are pushing to see extended producer responsibility for packaging pass this year. With days left in the session, they’ve reintroduced what they see as a compromise bill.
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ADS plans recycled resin ‘debottlenecking’ projects

Published: May 31, 2023
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ADS’ plans for improved efficiency include automating material handling, pelletizing upgrades and expanded storage capacity. | Courtesy of Advanced Drainage Systems

Advanced Drainage Systems is in the midst of multiyear, multimillion-dollar recycling debottlenecking efforts that include upgrading recycling equipment and improving materials handling capabilities, an executive said.

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Transparency, more investment will aid circular economy

Published: May 31, 2023
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Panelists speaking during a recent webinar focused on the need to build up infrastructure and target investments toward existing gaps in the system. | Mameraman/Shutterstock

During a recent Financial Times webinar, experts from industry and government agreed that the future holds ample potential for investment in recycling. Continue Reading

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Study: Recycling, reusing plastics pose chemical risk

Published: May 31, 2023
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Pile of empty plastic packaging containers.

After examining over 700 publications, researchers concluded that reused and recycled plastics are likely to transfer toxic chemicals to the foods they contain. | Konektus Photo/Shutterstock

A recent analysis by Switzerland-based Food Packaging Forum reviewed hundreds of scientific studies and concluded that recycled and reused food-contact plastics can accumulate and release chemicals of concern.  Continue Reading

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Greenpeace claims recycling complicates plastics toxicity

Published: May 23, 2023
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Plastic flake with baled plastic in background.

The latest report from Greenpeace says recycled plastics are more toxic than their virgin counterparts. | RecycleMan/Shutterstock

Greenpeace is spotlighting what it calls toxic chemicals in recycled plastics. The group is also calling for global plastics agreement negotiators to focus on reduction. Continue Reading

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Groups ramp up messaging before global meeting

Published: May 23, 2023
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In the days before the next round of U.N. negotiations, the resin sector is calling for plastics’ importance to be recognized while environmental groups are pushing for bans and more. | Bumble Dee/Shutterstock

Ahead of the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution in Paris, organizations are laying out their wish lists and forming partnerships.  Continue Reading

US scrap plastic exports fall

Published: May 23, 2023
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In the first quarter of 2023, Malaysia took in less than half the scrap plastic it did one year earlier; meanwhile, Bangladesh received just over four times as much. | Chenxueting/Shutterstock

U.S. companies exported 10% less scrap plastic during the first quarter of 2023 than they did a year earlier, and there were some dramatic changes in where material was flowing. Continue Reading

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Editor’s Take: Why the Green Guides matter (and don’t)

Published: May 16, 2023
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More honesty in recyclability labeling could save brands the trouble of going to court – without costing them much in sales. | Ivan Alex Burchak/Shutterstock

After Keurig Green Mountain reached a class-action settlement in a case concerning the company’s K-Cup recyclability claims, the plaintiffs anticipated the brand owner would end up paying consumers $1.25 million.

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ByFusion plans large-scale Arizona operation

Published: May 16, 2023
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ByBlock from ByFusion

The city of Tuscon plans to use ByFusion’s blocks to expand a women’s shelter, among other projects. | Courtesy of ByFusion

A company that turns hard-to-recycle plastics into construction-grade building blocks signed a four-year contract with the city of Tucson to expand drop-off collection and further develop local manufacturing.
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