A plastics recycling executive who advocated for California’s post-consumer resin mandate draws distinctions between the recycling and renewable energy industries. Witsarut Sakorn/Shutterstock
Although regulations that scaled the renewable energy market share some conceptual similarities with post-consumer resin mandates, one longtime plastics recycling stakeholder argues there are key differences creating unique challenges for plastics recycling. Continue Reading
Michigan is eyeing EPR for packaging, with lawmakers recently introducing a bill that would set specific targets for recycling and reduction. | Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock
Michigan lawmakers have introduced an extended producer responsibility bill for packaging, following the successful passage of a packaging EPR bill in Minnesota. Continue Reading
Unifi sources recycled polyester through its Textile Takeback program, which recently began supplying feedstock for new products. | Photo courtesy Unifi
By and large, U.S. recycled PET end markets have shifted focus from textiles to food packaging in recent years. But North Carolina-based Unifi is working on building end uses for recycled plastics in fashion and other fabric applications, the CEO said in a recent interview. Continue Reading
Baled clamshells in Ridwell’s Portland facility on Aug. 15, 2024, awaiting shipment to a downstream processor. | Marissa Heffernan/Resource Recycling.
As more consumers turn a skeptical eye to traditional recycling programs, Ridwell, a company that provides curbside collection of hard-to-recycle materials, is growing into numerous markets across the country. And the company is doing it with transparency in mind. Continue Reading
Martin Bourque of the Berkeley, California-based Ecology Center spoke about challenges in plastics recycling during a short film produced for the Alliance for Mission Based Recycling. | YouTube
MRF operators linked by an organizational belief that recycling is just one part of materials management recently hosted a film screening and discussion that touched on policy, chemical recycling and the nuances of alternative collection systems like TerraCycle and Ridwell.
The Coalition has distributed more than $5 million in grants since its inception in mid-2022. | DeawSS/Shutterstock
The PET Recycling Coalition has released its first annual report, detailing progress in increasing collection and recycling of one of the most common plastics in packaging. Continue Reading
With more capacity coming online, EFS-Plastics will be able to handle more B-grade LDPE film bales and potentially transition to contractual supply arrangements. | Vikentiy Elizarov/Shutterstock
As EFS-Plastics nears completion on its third LDPE film processing line in Pennsylvania, the company is changing the way it approaches film bales, a company executive said in an interview. Continue Reading
The ACC and Plastics Industry Association expressed disappointment in the shift in policy, while environmental groups applauded it. | Mstfcn/Shutterstock
The U.S. has reversed its stance on plastics production limits and now will support inclusion of these efforts in a global treaty, according to recent reports. The abrupt shift garnered a strong reaction from the plastics industry and cautious optimism from environmental groups. Continue Reading