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Category: Top stories

Panelists: Tensions between EPR and plastics waning

Published: September 6, 2023
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Anja Brandon, associate director of U.S. plastics policy at the Ocean Conservancy, speaks during the “Plastic Tensions Within Extended Producer Responsibility” session at the 2023 Resource Recycling Conference in Orlando, Fla. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling

Resource Recycling Conference attendees may have been expecting a boxing ring when stakeholders got on stage to talk about plastic and extended producer responsibility, but instead they got a message of hope, progress and civil disagreement on film, chemical recycling and labeling. Continue Reading

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How ‘rock bottom’ pricing is jostling plastics recycling

Published: August 22, 2023
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Although depressed plastics prices have caused some companies to revise their earnings projections, many in the sector are optimistic about an upcoming rebound. | Golden Dayz/Shutterstock

This story has been updated.

Recycled plastics prices are at their lowest levels in some time, putting significant strain on material processors. Meanwhile, some resin buyers are abandoning PCR to purchase virgin plastic instead.  Continue Reading

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Data shows largely stagnant bottle return rates

Published: August 29, 2023
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Of the nine states for which data is available, only two showed meaningful increases in their container redemption rates. | Poring Studio/Shutterstock

Most states with deposit return systems saw static or reduced bottle redemption rates in 2022, according to a deposit advocacy organization. Continue Reading

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Despite textiles slump, Unifi ups domestic RPET sales

Published: August 29, 2023
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Empty PET bottles for recycling.

A financial presentation from Unifi reported “strong adoption” of RPET chip and flake in the Americas in the fourth quarter of the 2023 fiscal year. | Don Pablo/Shutterstock

For Unifi, greater sales of recycled PET flakes and chips in the Americas provided one bright spot amid an otherwise gloomy business environment last year.  Continue Reading

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Industry group calls for PCR quality standards

Published: August 1, 2023
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The Alliance to End Plastic Waste argues that consistent specifications for quality material will help drive investment in sorting and collection technology. | Fabrika Simf/Shutterstock

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste suggested the recycling industry in the European Union develop target specifications for processed materials to ease the transition to a circular economy. Continue Reading

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US plastic bale exports decrease

Published: August 22, 2023
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Canada remains the top destination for U.S. exports of plastic bales, taking in 10% more of them this year than it did in 2022. | StockStudio/Shutterstock

Exports of recovered plastics fell during the first six months of 2023, newly released federal trade statistics show. Continue Reading

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Comments to EPA emphasize standardization

Published: August 8, 2023
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Plastics littering a beach in Malaysia.

Many responses from environmental groups focused on the need for the U.S. EPA’s National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution to rein in the generation of new plastics. | Rich Carey/Shutterstock

The U.S. EPA asked for input on its draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, and recycling industry stakeholders have answered.  Continue Reading

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Polyolefins reclaimer invests millions in PCR capacity

Published: August 8, 2023
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Leaders at Polyfit hope to take advantage of a changing legislative landscape that is creating demand for film that contains PCR. | Courtesy of Polyfit

Plastics reclaimer Polyfit invested up to $7 million expanding its campus in northern Mexico, boosting its polyethylene recycling capacity at a time of rising demand in the U.S. 
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