Back to Top

Category: Top stories

Exports tumble and ‘ungodly demand’ boosts HDPE prices

Published: November 6, 2019
Updated:

by
Market tracking graph.

Scrap plastic exports fell to their lowest level in recent history, but domestic markets continue to be hungry for recycled resin, particularly natural HDPE. | BEST BACKGROUNDS/Shutterstock

Overseas appetite for post-consumer scrap plastic dwindled in the third quarter. But on the domestic side, the value of recovered natural HDPE has skyrocketed and RPET demand remains strong. Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , , |

Circular Polymers to supply PET carpet fiber to Eastman

Published: November 6, 2019
Updated:

by

California reclaimer Circular Polymers will ship densified polyester carpet fiber to Eastman for chemical recycling. | Courtesy of Circular Polymers

Densified PET fiber from post-consumer carpet will ride railcars from California to Tennessee, where chemical giant Eastman will feed it into a gasification process.  Continue Reading

Sweeping plastics initiative submitted in California

Published: November 6, 2019
Updated:

by

Recology CEO Michael Sangiacomo told an audience at the 2019 Resource Recycling Conference and Trade Show his company would help bankroll a California initiative taking aim at plastic waste. | Brian Adams Photography

The CEO of West Coast hauler Recology teamed up with environmentalists to this week submit a proposed California ballot initiative taking aim at single-use plastics. Continue Reading

Beverage giant unveils marine plastic bottles

Published: October 9, 2019
Updated:

by

About 300 sample bottles were produced from material collected on beach cleanups and from the Mediterranean Sea. | Courtesy of Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Co. released a container made partially from ocean plastic, making it the latest company to pursue a food-contact application for the low-grade material.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , , , , |

The Recycling Partnership quantifies RPET demand gap

Published: October 23, 2019
Updated:

by
Sorting recyclable materials at a facility.

The Recycling Partnership has identified three key initiatives to improve the current recycling system.

PET collection is lagging behind recycled resin demand by more than 1 billion pounds per year, according to a study, and investment of $500 million is needed to improve the situation.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , , |

Revolution buys bag manufacturer Pak-Sher

Published: October 23, 2019
Updated:

by

Acquired firm Pak-Sher, which produces the SeaWave bag made with plastic at risk of entering the sea, will be incorporated into Revolution’s Command Packaging brand. | Courtesy of Revolution Plastics.

Plastics recycling company Revolution has acquired a producer of bags, foodservice film and other products. Revolution anticipates incorporating more recycled resin into the manufacturer’s offerings.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged |

Novolex brand begins using recycled PS in cutlery

Published: October 23, 2019
Updated:

by
Novolex cutlery made with 20% post-consumer recycled content.

Waddington North America estimates it will use between 1 million and 2 million pounds of post-consumer PS over the next year. | Courtesy of Novolex

A U.S. manufacturer has begun producing metallized plastic cutlery with 20% recycled PS. It’s a demanding application for post-consumer material.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , , |

Ocean plastics expert talks policy initiatives

Published: October 16, 2019
Updated:

by

Jenna Jambeck was the keynote at this year’s Resource Recycling Conference and Trade Show, held in late summer. | Resource Recycling Conference/Brian Adams Photography

The statistic has taken on almost household familiarity: 91% of plastic ever created has not been recycled, and a massive amount has become litter. Jenna Jambeck, a lead researcher behind that number, recently spoke about solutions to the pollution problem.

Continue Reading