The move last week by 187 governments to alter a global waste treaty will mean further uncertainty for U.S. scrap plastic exports.
In coming years, recycled PET and polyolefins will likely have to continue competing with cheap virgin plastics. But scrap markets will also be impacted by uncertain government policies and brand owner decisions.
The price of natural HDPE has decreased by nearly 5% over the past month, but color HDPE and PET have shown stability.
European Union leaders appear to have settled on a limit for trace amounts of flame retardants in recycled plastics. A reclaimer called the limit “workable,” but activists say it’s not nearly restrictive enough.
Brian Riise on stage at the 2019 Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show.
An expert recently explained why North American e-plastics processing could be a component of a wider effort to reduce energy use in U.S. manufacturing. And he outlined steps for progress.
