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Tag Archives: data

Fires at recycling sites on track to reach record high

Published: August 13, 2025
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Fire Rover analyzed nine years of data to discover trends in recycling facility fires. | Photo courtesy of Boston Fire Department

Across North America, recycling and waste management facilities are experiencing an increase in reported fires, with 2025 predicted to reach a new annual high. A recent special report by Fire Rover highlights this trend, attributing the record-high reported numbers and escalating financial risks to factors such as lithium-ion batteries, escalating demands from insurers and inadequate control measures. Continue Reading

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Ameripen details progress, obstacles for PCR

Published: May 7, 2025
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The updated report examined increases in PCR usage and processing capacity, but noted that CPG companies are unlikely to meet this year’s plastics targets. | Meaw Stocker/Shutterstock

Although consumer packaged goods companies made progress toward their recycled-content goals, critical gaps remain in supply security, according to a recent report from Ameripen. As a result, the industry advocacy group says these companies are unlikely to meet their 2025 PCR targets.  Continue Reading

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Missouri details state facility recycling data

Published: April 2, 2025
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Yellow recycle container with chasing arrows symbol.

During the fiscal year, state employees recycled 12.9 million pounds of materials, generating $83,326 in revenue for Missouri’s recycling fund and avoiding $716,065 in landfill fees. | Roman Zaiets/Shutterstock

The Missouri state recycling program generated tens of thousands of dollars in revenue and saved the state hundreds of thousands in waste disposal fees, according to a recent report. Continue Reading

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Maryland finishes EPR needs assessment

Published: March 19, 2025
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A needs assessment found that a well-designed EPR program could increase Maryland’s recycling rate for paper and packaging products from 34% to 50%. | Mihai Andritoiu/Shutterstock

Advisory groups in Maryland have shared a needs assessment and a packaging extended producer responsibility recommendation with the state legislature, finding that EPR for paper and plastic packaging could increase collection from 984,400 tons to 1.5 million tons. Continue Reading

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EPA report includes 2019 recycling rate estimates

Published: January 29, 2025
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Empty PET water bottles for recycling.

As part of a recent report, the U.S. EPA provided new recycling rate estimates, which hadn’t been updated since the agency released 2018 data. | Billion Photos/Shutterstock

The U.S. EPA’s recent recycling infrastructure report was largely focused on the investments needed to improve the system but also included new recycling rate estimates for specific materials, some of the first data updates the agency has released since its last Facts and Figures report several years ago.  Continue Reading

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PET bottle recycling reaches new high

Published: December 18, 2024
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Empty PET bottles for recycling.

The data also indicated that RPET flake and pellet may have been imported as plastic scrap rather than resin, potentially skewing the data. | Monticello/Shutterstock

Recycling for U.S. PET bottles in 2023 gained 4 percentage points on the year to reach 33%, the highest rate since 1996, according to a report from the National Association for PET Container Resources industry group.  Continue Reading

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NERC: Q3 brings small uptick in commodity values

Published: December 18, 2024
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Fiber bales stacked for recycling.

In the third quarter of 2024, the Northeast Recycling Council reported the blended value of a ton, not counting the negative impact of residuals, was $121.21, up 3% from the second quarter of the year. | Nickpeps/Shutterstock

Average commodity prices rose slightly in the third quarter of the year due to national and regional trends, though the growth appears to be cooling off, according to the latest report from the Northeast Recycling Council.  Continue Reading

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Improving MRF revenue with automation

Published: October 23, 2024
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Materials on a conveyor at a MRF.

Automation using AI, optical sorters and robotics can also help reduce compliance costs and improve revenue, AMP representatives said in a recent webinar. | Jantsarik/Shutterstock

MRFs looking to improve their profit and loss should consider automation, AMP representatives said in the third installment of the AMP Live Talks webinar series.  Continue Reading

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Groups share national recycling acceptance data

Published: September 25, 2024
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The Recycling Partnership and GreenBlue released new data highlighting recycling program acceptance data for 50 material types across the country. | Vladimir Badaev/Shutterstock

The Recycling Partnership and GreenBlue this week released new data highlighting recycling program acceptance rates for 50 different material types across the country – and they vowed to publish updated versions twice per year from now on. Continue Reading

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CRI report: DRS redemption rates are dropping

Published: August 14, 2024
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Squashed PET bottle on a white background.

The DRS redemption rate decreases ranged from 1% to 4%, with only two states tallying increases. | photobeps/Shutterstock

New data from the Container Recycling Institute showed falling beverage container redemption rates in most states with deposit return systems in 2023, which advocates said shows the need to modernize aging systems. 

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