Fewer scrap plastics were exported last year compared to 2020, continuing a downward trend. | Vacancylizm/Shutterstock
U.S. scrap plastic exports fell by 12% in 2021, even though some countries, such as India and Mexico, brought in a whole lot more material.
Shipping company CMA CGM didn’t specify exactly which categories of plastic scrap or waste the prohibition would apply to. | EQRoy/Shutterstock
CMA CGM Group, the third-largest ocean shipping company in the world, announced it will no longer carry post-use plastics on its ships as of June 1.
The U.S. exported 288.3 million pounds of scrap plastic during the third quarter, down 24% year over year. | 28 November Studio/Shutterstock
U.S. scrap plastic exports continued a precipitous year-over-year decline moving into the second half of the year, with several large destinations substantially reducing imports.
The U.S. Secretary of State has indicated U.S. support for a global plastics pollution treaty. | Gerain0812/Shutterstock
The U.S. has signaled support for a worldwide agreement to reduce marine plastic pollution. Meanwhile, the EU is drafting stricter export rules, a watchdog group is mapping plastic dump sites, and researchers shared findings on the greenhouse gas impacts of virgin plastic shipments.
Global shipping constraints are impacting recycled plastics traders in unique ways. | Creativa Images / Shutterstock
Strife in the global shipping sector continues to impact North American recycling, with companies experiencing higher rates as well as decreased shipping availability and reliability.
Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature would classify mixed plastics that are generated in California and exported from the U.S. as “disposal” rather than “recycling.” | Sumrit Tesrumphun/Shutterstock
California lawmakers have approved a bill that would no longer allow scrap plastic that is exported to be considered recycled. The legislation now heads to the governor for final consideration.
The head of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries says the group has worked closely with officials in countries around the world to ensure that exported materials meet high quality thresholds. | peresanz / Shutterstock
Early this month, Turkey’s ban on scrap PE imports went into effect. But just days later, the government repealed the regulation. | gd_project / Shutterstock
Shortly after barring recovered PE from import into the country, Turkey’s government has repealed the ban and implemented an enhanced licensing system instead.
The leader of the Basel Action Network responds to a position taken by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. | Avigator Fortuner / Shutterstock
U.S. exports of scrap plastics increased in the first quarter of 2021, with Malaysia as the largest overseas destination. | WWK Photography / Shutterstock
Recovered plastic exports from the U.S. were up in the first three months of 2021 compared with the prior year. Canada brought in nearly a third of all exported material.