A number of plastic recycling announcements have been made around the world in recent weeks. | sukiyaki/Shutterstock
From France to Kenya to Thailand, a number of companies are building new facilities, cleaning up waterways and keeping an eye on working conditions. Here’s a roundup of some recent global plastic news.
The Ocean Conservancy has withdrawn its support for incineration as a way to combat plastic pollution. | Molishka/Shutterstock
A top environmental watchdog has rescinded its influential 2015 report, which pointed the finger at Asia for ocean-bound plastic generation and included incineration and waste-to-energy as solutions to pollution.
PTT Global Chemical America is eying central Ohio for a new PET and PE recycling plant. | Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock
The U.S. subsidiary of Thailand-based plastic manufacturer PTT Global Chemical is moving toward a recycled plastic manufacturing facility in central Ohio.
Timeline final update: March 22, 2022
Oil price movements could put upward price pressure on virgin resin prices, improving the marketability of recycled resins. | ded pixto/Shutterstock
Oil prices are hitting a seven-year high, following tension around the latest COVID-19 variant and Russian pressure on Ukraine.
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.
Canada is a major buyer of U.S. scrap plastic, underscoring the significance of the recent agreement. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
New trade restrictions will make it more difficult to ship scrap plastic from the U.S. to most countries next year. But exports to Canada are unlikely to be affected by the policy.
Analysts say that new Chinese import regulations covering recycled pellets have created challenges for exporters of the material. | Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock
In the U.S., the plastics recycling market has been largely dictated by pandemic-related collection and demand realities. Overseas, a recent Chinese move to restrict recycled plastic pellet imports is posing trade challenges.
Chinese officials are working to update standards for recycled plastic pellets, laying out new quality requirements. | Afanasiev Andrii/Shutterstock
Recycled plastic pellets are facing greater scrutiny upon import into China, international recycling stakeholders recently reported.
Interpol found that plastic waste fires, both accidental and deliberate, have increased since Chinese import restrictions took hold. | MOHAMED ABDULRAHEEM/Shutterstock
Improper management of scrap plastics in Southeast Asia and elsewhere has increased sharply in the wake of China’s National Sword policy, according to international law enforcement body Interpol.