On Sept. 22, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1053, which extends the state’s plastic bag ban to cover thicker plastic bags previously considered reusable. | Kit Leong/Shutterstock
Several big recycling updates came out of the Golden State this weekend, including new policy, a lawsuit challenging ExxonMobil’s chemical recycling claims and an update about carpet recycling rates. Continue Reading
Plastic pallet maker Greystone Logistics has facilities in Iowa, Missouri and Indiana. | Courtesy of Greystone Logistics
A processor and end user of recycled PE benefited from lower recycled plastic prices and greater demand for the company’s pallets during the most recent fiscal year. Continue Reading
The hauler will start accepting thermoformed packaging for produce and other items in parts of Ohio on Nov. 1, and bale buyers will include Eastman. | Darren Doucette/Shutterstock
Ohio’s Rumpke Waste & Recycling will begin accepting PET clamshell containers in parts of the state this fall. Continue Reading
Prices for color HDPE have leveled out after a significant drop in price over the summer, inching up slightly in September. Other resins saw slight increases as well this month. Continue Reading
Professors and students developed a process to turn both PE and PP into propylene monomer. | Afanasiev-Andrii/Shutterstock
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a chemical process to vaporize PE and PP into the feedstock monomer propylene.
The Association of Plastic Recyclers updated its Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability to note that packaging containing degradable additives, nutrients and supplements are no longer considered recyclable. | Josep Curto/Shutterstock
Degradable additives, nutrients and supplements will boot packaging into the non-recyclable category, according to an update to the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability.
The maker of composite decking and other architectural elements used less recycled material but expanded its recycled PVC collection program. | Courtesy of Azek
Chicago-based composite decking company Azek used about 16% less recycled material in fiscal 2023 than in the previous year, according to its latest sustainability report.
Non-compostable produce stickers, multi-material plastic packaging and degradability additives have been added to U.S. Plastics Pact’s list of problematic and unnecessary materials. | Neungstockr/Shutterstock
With the U.S. Plastics Pact on track to eliminate its initial 11 problematic plastics by 2025, the group decided to add three more items to the list. Continue Reading
After a rise in GPS tracker tests of curbside recyclable materials, the Association of Plastic Recyclers is asking the public to schedule a MRF tour instead. | pkproject/Shutterstock
The Association of Plastic Recyclers is encouraging members of the public who have questions about what really happens to their recycling to book a MRF tour instead of putting trackers in curbside materials. Continue Reading
The two identical state bills are on the desk of the governor, who just last week announced investment in 250 recycling sites across the state. | Susanne Pommer/Shutterstock
Despite advocacy from plastic film companies, California lawmakers passed two bills that ban reusable plastic bags in the state, drawing scathing reactions from the industry. Continue Reading