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Category: Top stories

Experts discuss the industry’s e-plastics crossroads

Published: December 5, 2023
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Port Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where U.S. e-scrap companies send a lot of their e-plastics. Several insiders recently shared their thoughts on how the industry will approach e-plastics export violations. | Nicola Pulham/Shutterstock

Chris Kaasmann sees a parallel between the electronics recycling industry’s requirement to start managing electronics plastics differently and the need for the planet to switch to renewable energy. Both need to happen, but in neither case can you simply flip a switch to realize universal change.
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PCR safety panel approves 26 PET recycling applications

Published: December 5, 2023
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A European Food Safety Authority panel reviewed over two dozen applications to recycle post-consumer PET into food and drink packaging during the past six months. | CalypsoArt/Shutterstock

A food safety scientific panel has approved the use of post-consumer PET recycling technologies from Bandera, Erema, Gneuss, NGR, Polymetrix, Starlinger and others.  Continue Reading

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Plastic bag drop-off guide is taken off-line

Published: November 28, 2023
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The Film Drop-Off Directory is ending services after 20 years of operation. | Pavel Kubarkov/Shutterstock

A long-running comprehensive guide to public drop-off sites accepting plastic film has been taken down, leaving a gap in consumer-facing recycling information for bags and other flexible packaging. Continue Reading

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Scrap plastics exports drop 5% during first three quarters

Published: November 28, 2023
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During the first nine months of 2023, exports of scrap plastic from the U.S. to Mexico dropped 9% year over year. | Quiggyt4/Shutterstock

The U.S. continued to export less scrap plastic to the rest of the world, according to an analysis of trade data covering the first nine months of 2023.  Continue Reading

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UN meeting again ends with much unfinished

Published: November 28, 2023
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The slow progress of the U.N. committee tasked with crafting a global plastics agreement has many frustrated, but others see sunshine on the horizon. | Courtesy of INC-3

As the third meeting of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee wrapped up in Kenya, delegates once again expressed frustration about the slow progress toward an internationally binding resolution on plastic pollution.  Continue Reading

OECD: Global plastics progress requires cooperation

Published: November 14, 2023
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Analysts at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimate that with full global cooperation, plastics use in products could be reduced by 30% compared to 2020 levels. | DeawSS/Shutterstock

Countries must work together to enact policies that reduce virgin plastic demand, support design for recyclability, bolster recycling systems and improve collection.
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UN works on second draft of plastics agreement

Published: November 14, 2023
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Delegates face the difficult challenge of balancing the often conflicting interests of the negotiating countries. | Photo by IISD/ENB | Anastasia Rodopoulou

The third meeting of the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee officially kicked off Monday, inching the world closer to an internationally binding resolution on plastic pollution.  Continue Reading

Study: Pricing opacity hurts recycling in four countries

Published: November 7, 2023
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Market data on screen.

Researchers suggest “practical interventions” to promote knowledge sharing about plastics recycling. | Things/Shutterstock

Nonprofit group The Circulate Initiative has published the results of first-of-its-kind research exploring recycled plastic pricing in India and three Southeast Asian countries. Continue Reading

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Reclaimer, sorting facilities receive PET recovery grants

Published: November 7, 2023
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A grinder at rPlanet Earth in the Los Angeles area. The PET reclaimer recently received a grant from the PET Recycling Coalition. | Courtesy of rPlanet Earth

The PET Recycling Coalition has given grants to four companies, including a plastics reclaimer, to help them better recover and recycle post-consumer PET.  Continue Reading

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