A scientific panel signed off on a slew of PET recycling technologies this year, determining they produce clean RPET that can be used in food and drink packaging.
A scientific panel signed off on a slew of PET recycling technologies this year, determining they produce clean RPET that can be used in food and drink packaging.
In Europe, thermoform packaging is using more and more RPET content, but impediments remain to efficient recycling of the thermoforms themselves. A workshop recently discussed the issues.
For years, a European Union panel has given its thumbs up to using recycling processes to generate food-contact recycled plastics, but those opinions aren’t official government “approvals.” Some groups say the lack of official authorization from the European Commission has lead to damaging uncertainty for the industry.
A survey of plastics converters in Europe shows many of them have trouble obtaining enough acceptable-quality recycled plastic feedstock.
Three groups on two continents will work to create one harmonized process for testing the recyclability of plastic products.
A type of caterpillar eats and breaks down polyethylene, and Tanzania asks new plastic product manufacturers to build recycling facilities.
Terrorist attacks in Brussels have prompted the cancellation of the Plastics Recycling Show Europe, and a report estimates a 25 percent jump in the number of plastics recycling facilities in Europe in the immediate future.
The extended producer responsibility program for packaging in Portugal has seen improving recovery volumes in recent years.
The Circular Economy Package adopted by the European Commission in March is receiving considerable attention among European plastics reclaimers.
An initiative in Europe will work to overcome obstacles to the closed-loop recycling of plastics from electronics and appliances.