In a statement, Newsom said the bills will raise consumer awareness and promote industry accountability. | Jana Asenbrennerova / Shutterstock
A high-profile bill restricting the use of recyclability labeling on products in California was signed into law this week. Gov. Gavin Newsom also signed legislation classifying mixed-plastic exports out of the state as “disposal.”
Data from California shows some major beverage producers used lower percentages of post-consumer resin in 2020 than they did in 2019. | tezzstock / Shutterstock
The clock is ticking on California’s law mandating recycled plastic in drink bottles, and some beverage producers still have a long way to go, newly released data reveals.
Trex brings in plastic from multiple sources, primarily material coming out of commercial and industrial environments. | Courtesy of Trex
The leader of composite decking manufacturer Trex shared insights on recycled polyethylene markets and sourcing channels in an interview this week.
The U.S. EPA is accepting comments on potential regulation of chemical recycling technologies until Nov. 8. | g0d4ather / Shutterstock
The U.S. EPA is exploring potential regulations for pyrolysis and gasification facilities, citing growing interest in these chemical recycling technologies.
A U.S. District Court judge ruled that Greenpeace lacked standing to sue the world’s largest retailer over recyclability labeling in California. | Harun Ozmen / Shutterstock
A California court has dismissed a legal complaint Greenpeace brought against Walmart, ruling that the activist group itself was not deceived by labels indicating the corporation’s plastic packaging is recyclable.
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.
Beverage brand owner PepsiCo announced a goal to package all Pepsi-branded drinks in the U.S. in 100% RPET bottles by 2030. | New Africa / Shutterstock
PepsiCo unveiled new goals for using more recycled PET and reducing its virgin plastic use in coming years.
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.
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.
After steadily rising this year, prices for several grades of post-consumer plastic seem to have plateaued this month.