High schooler Nathan Wei’s project, “Novel Elastomeric Polystyrene via Photopolymerization and Post-Functionalization of Durable Ultra-High Molecular Weight Perfluorostyrene Copolymers,” won fourth prize in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. | Courtesy of Regeneron Science Talent Search
A high school senior from Gainesville, Florida, took fourth place in a national science competition based on his work to make it easier to break down hard-to-recycle plastics. Continue Reading
In addition to a mail-in program for its current pods, the company plans to launch plastic-free pods. | Pavel Kapysh/Shutterstock
Keurig plans to launch both a mail-in recycling program for its PP pods and a new line of compostable pods. Continue Reading
Companies that have voluntarily signed on with the U.S. Plastics Pact used 9.4% post-consumer recycled resin in 2022, up from 8% the prior year. | Saravutpics/Shutterstock
Companies producing a third of all plastic packaging by weight in the U.S. used 9.4% post-consumer recycled resin in 2022, up from 8% the prior year, the U.S. Plastics Pact recently reported. Continue Reading
Robotics from Glacier can be made to fit any belt width and can target more than 30 distinct materials. | Courtesy of Glacier
The co-founders of emerging sortation robotics supplier Glacier say their robots provide an immediate quality benefit with a small footprint: They can be placed anywhere a manual sorter would be stationed. Continue Reading
Alpek Polyester and BlueTriton Brands joined a lobbying effort to advocate for a national bottle bill. | New Africa/Shutterstock
Resin giants recently joined environmental groups in the nation’s Capitol to advocate for a national bottle bill, a coordinated push organized by the National Stewardship Action Council. Continue Reading
The Senate Committee of Environment & Public Works held a hearing on extended producer responsibility for consumer packaging with speakers from the World Wildlife Fund, S. C. Johnson & Son and AMERIPEN. | DeawSS/Shutterstock
Industry representatives from across the plastic chain – as well as an environmental NGO – all told a federal committee that they think federal extended producer responsibility for packaging is worth considering. Continue Reading
Most curbside plastic grades continued to climb in value over the past month. Continue Reading
Rumpke’s new Columbus, Ohio MRF is key to a partnership with Eastman Chemical that will create an end market for opaque PET materials, among other hard-to-recycle products. | Courtesy of Rumpke
A partnership between midwest recycling processor Rumpke and resin giant Eastman Chemical will create an end market for opaque and otherwise hard-to-recycle PET materials, driven by state-of-the-art sortation capabilities at Rumpke’s Columbus, Ohio MRF.