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Recycling firms unite against reusable plastic bag ban

Published: July 2, 2024
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The Responsible Recycling Alliance is calling for California lawmakers to abandon Senate Bill 1053, which would expand the state’s bag ban to prohibit reusable bags made from 40% post-consumer resin. | Huguette Roe/Shutterstock

Seeking to quash a regulatory change that would remove over 100 million pounds of North American post-consumer resin demand per year, EFS-Plastics, Merlin Plastics and PreZero US have joined together to advocate for retaining recycled-content reusable plastic bags in California’s bag regulations. Continue Reading

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Alaskans innovate to address marine plastic pollution

Published: July 24, 2024
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Grizzly Wood is made of 100% plastic waste, which limits color options but holds up well to the state’s harsh climate. | Courtesy of Alaska Plastic Recovery

A small company in Alaska is lending the state’s resourcefulness and ingenuity to creating composite lumber and addressing coastal plastics pollution.  Continue Reading

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Industry reacts to federal plastic pollution strategy

Published: July 24, 2024
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The Biden administration’s “Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution: Progress, Principles and Priorities” strategy includes actions intended to reduce pollution from the production of plastics. | Poring Studio/Shutterstock

The Biden administration released a federal strategy aimed at reducing plastic pollution, drawing mixed responses from industry players.  Continue Reading

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Massive plastics recycling project draws federal backing

Published: July 24, 2024
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International Recycling Group has secured a guarantee for up to $182.6 million in loans from the DOE, and is looking to proceed with its long-planned project, which incorporates plastic resin production and plastic waste as feedstock for furnaces used in steel manufacture. | TKCREDIT/Shutterstock

A Pennsylvania project from International Recycling Group has gained momentum, with a commitment for a multimillion-dollar loan from the U.S. Department of Energy. Continue Reading

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Dispelling ‘silver bullet’ thinking in film recycling

Published: July 17, 2024
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Fabrizio Di Gregorio, technical director for Plastics Recyclers Europe, Roxanne Spiekerman, vice president of public affairs for PreZero US, and Lou Fenech, North America packaging sustainability manager for Mondelēz International, talked about challenges to recycling flexible packaging at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Big Wave Productions/Plastics Recycling Update

Increasing film recycling takes coordinated efforts by both brand owners and reclaimers – and it takes a true understanding that one sector can’t solve the issue alone, speakers said at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference in March.

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Plastic industry weathers Beryl’s effects

Published: July 17, 2024
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Texas experienced its first major hurricane of the season in early July, with significant power outages, but peak storm season has yet to occur. | Vladimir-Martinov/Shutterstock

As the first major hurricane of the season hit Texas last week, MRFs and processors braced for disrupted services, flooding and power outages, which are familiar obstacles for Gulf Coast operators each June through November.

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PureCycle reaches PP milestone at Ironton plant

Published: July 10, 2024
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A vial of plastic resins emptied onto a black surface.

After multiple mechanical issues over the past year, the recycled PP resin startup is feeling optimistic. | Praethip Docekalova/Shutterstock

The PureCycle PP processing plant in Ironton, Ohio, has produced more than 1.1 million pounds of resin pellets since restarting May 30, according to the latest company update. CEO Dustin Olson elaborated on the progress in an interview. Continue Reading

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Revolution expands film lineup with Norflex buy

Published: July 10, 2024
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The acquisition is the second in 2024 for Arkansas-based Revolution, with the CEO signaling in January that more would follow. | Joyce Blessthink/Shutterstock

Revolution Sustainable Solutions acquired Norflex, a Wisconsin-based producer of agricultural and industrial films, the companies announced July 9. Continue Reading

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MIT study: national bottle bill would boost PET recycling

Published: July 10, 2024
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used beverage containers

The paper from MIT researchers used a 10-cent deposit model to explore the potential effects on MRFs. | Emilija Miljkovic/Shutterstock

A nationwide 10-cent deposit on PET beverage containers could push the recycling rate for the material to over 80% in the next decade with a high level of bottle-to-bottle circularity, a MIT study suggested. Continue Reading

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