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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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Ameripen weighs in on draft federal labeling law

Published: July 2, 2024
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Sen. Jeff Merkley is working on a draft bill that would set federal parameters around recycling labels on consumer packaging, called the Truth in Labeling Act of 2024. | 9dream Studio/Shutterstock

Due to its size and tendency to be on the leading edge of environmental law, California has long been seen as the bellwether, setting policy that other states will later follow – or that producers and manufacturers take as de facto law nationwide when it comes to standards. Continue Reading

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CIEL report lays out roadmap for paying for pollution

Published: July 2, 2024
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The report from the Center for International Environmental Law details effects of plastic pollution and provides tools for local governments to pursue compensation. | Poring Studio/Shutterstock

The Center for International Environmental Law has released a report detailing how local governments can pursue compensation for the effects of plastic pollution, mostly via legal action against plastic producers and brand owners. Continue Reading

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Recycling firms unite to oppose 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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