Back to Top

How the use of robotics is evolving at sorting facilities

Published: January 13, 2021
Updated:

by
AMP Robotics tandem gripper.

A leader with AMP Robotics says artificial intelligence has changed how robotics can be incorporated into recycling facilities. | Courtesy of AMP Robotics.

A recycling facility operator and a robotics company say artificial intelligence is providing materials recovery firms with much-needed data to analyze changes in the recycling stream. That’s in addition to sortation improvements.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged |

Slew of food-contact PET approvals issued

Published: January 13, 2021
Updated:

by
Empty PET drink bottles on a blue background.

Approvals were given to two technologies to recycle post-consumer PET bottles into new food and drink packaging. | alenka2194/Shutterstock

A European authority gave the thumbs up to using Starlinger and EREMA technologies to recycle post-consumer PET for use in food and drink packaging.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , |

First Person Perspective: How packaging decisions can make a big impact on food waste

Published: January 11, 2021
Updated:

by
Tomatoes in plastic packaging.

Most food waste consists of meats, vegetables, fruit and bakery products, according to a recent Denkstatt report.

The need to reduce food waste has escalated as an issue during COVID-19. In response to current realities, consumers have raced to grocery stores to stockpile food, often buying in surplus. Now, we’re seeing food’s perishability firsthand.

Continue Reading

Posted in Print edition | Tagged |

Reclaimer in Focus: PreZero

Published: January 11, 2021
Updated:

by
PreZero facility exterior.

Once PreZero’s California plant hits full scale, the facility will be producing 24 million pounds per year of film pellets.

A company planning multiple U.S. processing plants taking in hard-to-recycle plastics has begun operating its first location in Southern California.

Continue Reading

Posted in Print edition | Tagged , |

Our top 10 stories from 2020

Published: January 6, 2021
Updated:

by
Sabic logo on website, seen through magnifying glass.

Details on chemical recycling ventures from virgin plastics producers, including SABIC, drew attention last year. | Casimiro PT/Shutterstock

The past 12 months certainly gave plastics recycling stakeholders plenty to chew on – and the action extended beyond just the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories |

‘Anomaly’ year brings recycled PET market twists

Published: December 23, 2020
Updated:

by
Closeup of empty PET bottles.

COVID-19 and pricing pressure led companies to seek other supply lines for PET feedstock. | Pixel B/Shutterstock

A confluence of RPET market disruptions in 2020 included low prime plastic pricing and supply challenges that led end users to seek feedstock from other sources. Still, experts maintain a surge of RPET demand is fast approaching.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Details on Circulate Capital’s Indian plastics investments

Published: December 23, 2020
Updated:

by
Workers at the Dalmia Polypro Industries facility.

Circulate Capital invested in Dalmia Polypro Industries, a plastic bottle recycling company based in Mumbai, India. | Courtesy of Circulate Capital.

The U.S. and Europe have had formal recycling infrastructure in place for decades. That’s not the case in India, where Circulate Capital just invested millions of dollars to boost infrastructure and reduce ocean plastics generation.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

Congress passes more PPP aid for businesses

Published: December 23, 2020
Updated:

by
U.S. Capitol building with sky and clouds.

The latest bill includes $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program. | Dennis Diatel/Shutterstock

Congress sent President Trump a spending bill that includes $900 billion in coronavirus-related relief aid, with nearly one-third of the money dedicated to small business assistance.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |