A new study from ICIS and a Chinese industry association also predicted that the role of chemical recycling will increase amid PPWR implementation. | Alones / Shutterstock
A new study from commodity intelligence firm ICIS and a Chinese industry association explores the impacts of European regulations on global demand for recycled plastics in packaging, automotive and textile applications.
While Washington aims to reduce plastic bag waste, the mandate for thicker bags is in question, resulting in more plastic volume overall. | Olga Miltsova / Shutterstock
The Washington State Department of Commerce released a report on the effectiveness of the state’s retail carryout bag policy prohibiting thin, 0.5 mil thickness single-use plastic bags. Continue Reading
Advanced Drainage Systems, one of the biggest buyers of recycled HDPE and PP, also saw a 7.3% drop in purchases of recycled materials. | Courtesy ADS
Major buyer Advanced Drainage Systems reached its lowest level of recycled plastic purchases since its fiscal 2022 baseline, according to its annual sustainability report. Continue Reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
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