M&G, one of the world’s largest producers of virgin PET for packaging, has shut down production plants. Market repercussions from the move could mean higher prices for recycled material.
M&G, one of the world’s largest producers of virgin PET for packaging, has shut down production plants. Market repercussions from the move could mean higher prices for recycled material.
More than three months after China announced it will restrict recyclables imports, key details on logistics and timing of the new regulations remain unknown. But industry associations are piecing together some more concrete facts about the downstream and upstream ramifications of the actions.
The U.S. PET bottle recycling rate dropped from 30.1 percent to 28.4 percent in 2016, a number that is emblematic of several concerning trends hitting the sector.
Great potential exists for increased film recovery in North America, where the residential film recovery rate sits at about 4 percent. Experts have identified key sectors that would be effective targets for coordinated investment.
This week’s gathering of the Association of Plastic Recyclers saw strong attendance in Pittsburgh as it linked up with a conference held by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC).
Three groups on two continents will work to create one harmonized process for testing the recyclability of plastic products.
Film, expanded polystyrene and pouches are among the materials and products California officials say could be subject to mandatory packaging management rules.
Government officials have confirmed they are monitoring China’s import policy changes and are joining industry associations in seeking clarification from Chinese authorities.
As part of an effort to help boost market demand, the Association of Plastic Recyclers will hold a joint meeting with an industry group that counts 150 consumer brand companies as members.
The role of plastics in the larger sustainability movement has been the focus of plenty of industry conversations over the past decade. And it’s out of that environment that the Plasticity series of events has formed.