The final bill builds on previous legislation, resulting in an EPR program that will take shape in 2028. | Evan Lorne/Shutterstock
After five years of work and many interim steps, Maryland became the sixth U.S. state to pass extended producer responsibility legislation for paper and packaging, continuing the policy’s evolution in the country.
Rebecca Mick, program director of film and packaging innovation for APR, presented design guidance at a recent training session. | Tan Sackett/APR
Industry leaders and packaging design engineers explored the challenges to recycling film and flexible plastics during an inaugural packaging design training session recently in Houston. Continue Reading
The updated report examined increases in PCR usage and processing capacity, but noted that CPG companies are unlikely to meet this year’s plastics targets. | Meaw Stocker/Shutterstock
Although consumer packaged goods companies made progress toward their recycled-content goals, critical gaps remain in supply security, according to a recent report from Ameripen. As a result, the industry advocacy group says these companies are unlikely to meet their 2025 PCR targets. Continue Reading
In North America, Mondelez is looking to put up to 50% RPET in cookie trays, including its Oreo packaging. | Steve Cukrov/Shutterstock
Two big food brands and an eco-conscious apparel company reported on their use of plastic resins recently, with Mondelez and General Mills reporting a focus on reducing the use of plastic packaging and transitioning to mono-material packaging, respectively. Continue Reading
Several lawsuits centering on ExxonMobil’s role in plastic recycling and plastic pollution are slowly moving through the legal process. | Kirkam/Shutterstock
Three connected lawsuits between resin supplier ExxonMobil, a handful of nonprofit organizations and California’s attorney general are working their way through the courts. Recently, a Texas city that’s home to an ExxonMobil pyrolysis plant has joined the fray to support the company. Continue Reading
The two chemical majors remain optimistic on demand for recycled polymers, while slowing plans for new U.S. capacity. | Rene Notenbomer/Shutterstock
Two U.S.-based chemical companies discussed upcoming recycling projects during recent earnings calls, expressing optimism despite persistent economic uncertainty and potential administrative hurdles.
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California began requiring beverage manufacturers to report their annual virgin and recycled resin use beginning in 2018. | DonPablo Lorez/Shutterstock
Newly released data shows many major bottlers increased their post-consumer PET use in beverage containers sold into California last year, surpassing the state’s 15% minimum recycled content mandate for that year and putting them on track to hit the expanded mandate for 2025. Continue Reading
The Trump administration included Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste Agenda among numerous barriers to foreign trade in a recent report. | Monticello/Shutterstock
The Trump administration has included Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste Agenda among foreign trade barriers, drawing criticism from a Canadian advocacy group and caution from the country’s chemical industry. Continue Reading
The report explores the interrelated challenges to widespread adoption of PCR content and proposes solutions from both industry and policy standpoints. | Joyce Blessthink/Shutterstock
In its most recent report, the U.S. Plastics Pact outlined numerous market-based and policy solutions for existing challenges that may inhibit adoption of PCR in plastic packaging, including collection infrastructure and virgin resin oversupply. Continue Reading
Crystal Bayliss of the U.S. Plastics Pact emphasized that procurement involves far more than just haggling prices, a sentiment echoed by an Orbis executive. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling
With PCR requirements increasing rapidly, companies throughout plastics value chains face similar challenges in controlling feedstock supply, scaling up supply and managing capital costs. This sentiment was clear during a Plastics Recycling Conference session as well as a recent industry interview. Continue Reading