Back to Top

Category: Top stories

Nonprofit: Recyclables a small portion of marine litter

Published: September 22, 2021
Updated:

by

Volunteers clean the beach during the 2021 International Coastal Cleanup on September 18, 2021 in Santa Monica, California. | Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Ocean Conservancy

Information gathered through decades of coastal cleanups shows the majority of plastic litter recovered was never recyclable through curbside systems in the first place, according to Ocean Conservancy.

Continue Reading

Lawsuit takes aim at Walmart’s plastic recycling labels

Published: December 16, 2020
Updated:

by
Greenpeace sign on a brick building exterior.

A lawsuit from Greenpeace seeks to force Walmart to change its labeling and conduct a “corrective” advertising campaign. | nitpicker/Shutterstock

Environmental activist group Greenpeace this week accused Walmart of falsely labeling items as recyclable. Walmart and How2Recycle are defending their labeling practices.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged |

California is back at the center of plastics recycling debate

Published: September 15, 2021
Updated:

by
Calif. capitol building in Sacramento.

A bill approved by California legislators has substantial implications for how common plastic packaging items are labeled, and it could have significant recycling implications across the nation in the coming years. | Feoktistoff / Shutterstock

Producers would need to meet strict criteria to use the “chasing arrows” symbol on their plastic packaging in California under a bill approved by lawmakers last week. An industry group says the move will harm polypropylene recycling.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Demand for recycled content drives processor acquisition

Published: September 15, 2021
Updated:

by
Signing documents at a business meeting.

Westlake Chemical Corporation on Sept. 10 announced its acquisition of Dimex, a Marietta, Ohio-headquartered reclaimer. | fizkes / Shutterstock

A manufacturer cited consumer interest in recycled products as a factor in the company’s recent acquisition of Dimex, a post-industrial PVC recycling firm.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

Amid dispute, details emerge on CarbonLite’s demise

Published: September 9, 2021
Updated:

by
A gavel and book on a wooden desk.

In court recently, former CarbonLite CEO Leon Farahnik’s attorneys elaborated on the financial conditions that led to the company’s bankruptcy. | Bragin Alexey / Shutterstock

Companies owed money by CarbonLite say the PET reclaimer’s failure came amid “gross financial mismanagement,” and they want an in-depth investigation. CarbonLite’s lawyers pinned the closure on a lack of brand owner support and other factors.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

California bill deems some exports ‘disposal’

Published: September 9, 2021
Updated:

by
export containers

Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature would classify mixed plastics that are generated in California and exported from the U.S. as “disposal” rather than “recycling.” | Sumrit Tesrumphun/Shutterstock

California lawmakers have approved a bill that would no longer allow scrap plastic that is exported to be considered recycled. The legislation now heads to the governor for final consideration.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

Notable names are among recent FDA letter recipients

Published: September 9, 2021
Updated:

by
PET bottles for recycling.

A number of companies recently gained approval to use their technologies to produce recycled resin for sale into food and drink packaging markets. | Nixx Photography/Shutterstock

A chemical recycling startup, a massive resin producer, equipment providers and packaging producers are among the companies that have received the green light to recycle plastic into food and drink packaging.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , , |

Worldwide voyage shares plastics recycling know-how

Published: September 1, 2021
Updated:

by
Plastic Odyssey ship at port.

The Plastic Odyssey project has been in the works for five years and is planning to launch late this year. | Courtesy of Plastic Odyssey

Plastic Odyssey, a project that will demonstrate open-source plastics recycling equipment and business models in countries without developed waste management infrastructure, is preparing to embark on a trip around the globe.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |