Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa takes notes during a July 16 U.S. House hearing discussing improvements to the recycling industry. | Photo courtesy U.S. House of Representatives
Two new policy proposals seeking to improve components of the U.S. recycling system came up during a Congressional hearing last week, and industry stakeholders offered their thoughts on how the federal government can best support the recycling sector. Continue Reading
As brand owners face the realities of their 2025 voluntary sustainability targets, report author Jim Owen of RaboResearch predicts that recycled-content goals will become more pragmatic and lean more heavily on legislation. | Photka/Shutterstock
A new report from RaboResearch explores the factors behind brand owners’ retreat from 2025 packaging recycled content goals – and provides a look at the path ahead. Continue Reading
The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition has helped upgrade the polypropylene recycling system of a MRF in St. Peters, Missouri. | CalypsoArt/Shutterstock
Recycle City MRF in St. Peters, Missouri, has expanded its PP recycling abilities with upgrades made possible by The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition. Continue Reading
Resin imports are creating a challenging market for California reclaimers. | Saravutpics/Shutterstock
Amid a spike in post-consumer resin imports that reclaimers say is damaging the U.S. plastics recycling system, and allegations that some of that imported resin may not truly be recycled, a bill advancing in California would require beverage container manufacturers to report the country of origin for all PCR incorporated in their products. Continue Reading
Analysis from a Closed Loop consortium studied numerous state-level methods for reducing bag waste and informed considerations for policymakers. | The Image Party/Shutterstock
A new report on state-level single-use bag laws indicates that New Jersey’s ban has had numerous effects, both positive and negative. Continue Reading
Despite gains made in recycled content, textile manufacturing faces unique challenges, a Unifi executive said during a recent APR podcast. | Photo Courtesy of Unifi
Editor’s Note: Mark your calendar for the 2026 Textile Recovery Summit, Feb. 23-25 in Chula Vista, California. Continue Reading
Candy conglomerate Mars outlined the company’s steps toward circularity and zero emissions in its 2024 sustainability report. | Courtesy of Berry Global and Mars
Candy and pet food giant Mars used 14,000 metric tons of recycled materials for its products in 2024, according to its recently released sustainability report. Continue Reading
Despite making gains in PET recycling, the Coalition acknowledges that its goals require more industry support. | Konektus Photo/Shutterstock
Since forming in 2022, the PET Recycling Coalition has worked to increase PET bottle recycling rates and access to curbside recycling for non-bottle materials, including thermoforms. Continue Reading
Federal rules attempting to regulate new recycling processes and potential contaminants continued a back-and-forth that has lasted at least five years. | John Hanson Pye/Shutterstock
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn rules first proposed by the Biden administration that addressed chemical recycling and had attracted significant industry opposition. Continue Reading
Marissa Heffernan moderates a panel at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Big Wave Photography / Resource Recycling.
When I started working for Resource Recycling, I thought I knew quite a bit about recycling. After all, I grew up in a bottle bill state, turning in cans for candy money, and was the child checking neighbors’ recycling bins to make sure they were using it right. Continue Reading