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Category: Top stories

Groups react to ‘problematic’ plastics list

Published: January 25, 2022
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PS foam containers on blue background.

PS packaging made the list of problematic materials.| Minh Mi Goi/Shutterstock

The U.S. Plastics Pact says PS and PVC packaging and other materials should be phased out in coming years. A curbside recycling operator called the potential elimination of PVC and PS packaging “two really big steps in the right direction,” though several groups criticized the Pact’s work. Continue Reading

Investment moves potential marine debris into global market

Published: January 19, 2022
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A factory team working on the sorting process conveyor in Polindo’s aggregation center. | Courtesy of Circulate Capital

A partnership involving Circulate Capital, Bantam Materials and an Indonesian processor will help to recover PET from remote areas of the Asian nation and deliver it to grocery store shelves in Europe and America.

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Eastman unveils plans for $1B polyester depolymerization plant

Published: January 19, 2022
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Eastman CEO Mark Costa at right, with Emmanuel Marcon.

Eastman CEO Mark Costa at right, with Emmanuel Marcon at a recent meeting around the company’s investment. | Via Emmanuel Marcon Twitter, @EmmanuelMacron

Procter & Gamble, Danone, L’Oréal and other global brand owners have signed letters of intent to buy chemically recycled resin from a $1 billion plant Eastman is planning in France.

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Experts discuss trade-offs of recycled-content mandates

Published: January 12, 2022
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Empty PET bottles for recycling.

A recent webinar brought together experts to cover the benefits and complications of recycled-content mandates.| Monticello/Shutterstock

Recycled-content laws are a tool for driving post-consumer resin demand. But what if producers are given too many outs, feedstock is in short supply, or the mandates actually result in greater environmental harm?

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New Jersey bill passes (and other recycled-content updates)

Published: January 12, 2022
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New Jersey state capital building in Trenton.

New Jersey is the latest state to look anew at recycled-content mandates as a way to force demand pull for recycled materials. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock

New Jersey lawmakers approved legislation mandating recycled plastic be used in rigid containers, carryout bags and trash bags. Meanwhile, a West Coast advisory committee has recommended recycled-content requirements for plastic tubs, thermoforms and cups.

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Canadian officials force Keurig to change recycling instructions

Published: January 12, 2022
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Boxes of Keurig products marketing pod recyclability.

Keurig Canada said the company is continuing to work with municipalities and the recycling industry to increase K-Cup pod recycling acceptance. | ZikG/Shutterstock

Keurig Canada will pay millions of dollars in penalties and alter its coffee pod recyclability claims, as part of a legal settlement with Canadian regulators.

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Our top stories from 2021

Published: January 5, 2022
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CarbonLite Facility exterior with California and U.S. flags.

The bankruptcy of PET recycling firm CarbonLITE drew reader attention in 2021. | Courtesy of CarbonLITE

As the plastics recycling industry plunges into 2022, it can be useful to set the stage with a look at the biggest trends and developments of the past 12 months.

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In My Opinion: A simpler path to reducing plastic waste

Published: December 22, 2021
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Appliances in a retail setting.

A home appliance industry leader explains why his group would like to see extended producer responsibility proposals fall by the wayside in favor of the approach in the upcoming California single-use plastics ballot measure. | Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock

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Brands report on their 2020 recycled plastic usage

Published: December 22, 2021
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Scott brand packaging

Kimberly-Clark used 2.5% recycled plastic in packaging in 2020, up from 1.9% the previous year. | DCStockPhotography/Shutterstock

A group of brand owners that includes McDonald’s, Kimberly-Clark and others increased their use of recycled plastic over the past couple of years, but they’re still not on pace to hit their goals, according to a report.
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