The Trump presidency promises decreased regulation and likely less funding for environmental initiatives. | LLoughran-Shutterstock
Following Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election, the plastics and chemicals industries are processing what may lie ahead in an environment that is likely to have drastic reductions in regulation and an emphasis on fossil fuels.
The largest brand owners in the world together used an average of 14% post-consumer resin in their packaging last year, a 2 percentage point increase over 2022. | Photka/Shutterstock
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s 2023 report indicated a year-over-year decrease in both virgin and overall plastic use from signatory companies. That came from companies incorporating more post-consumer resin, combined with lower overall consumer demand due to economic challenges.
Packaging suppliers including TC Transcontinental, Tetra Pak, Amcor and Orbis shared insights on incorporating PCR at the 2024 Pack Expo International in Chicago. | Antoinette Smith/Resource Recycling
The broad theme of sustainability was a central focus at Pack Expo International in Chicago this week, encompassing package recyclability, PCR content and legislation. Continue Reading
The latest draft, called a “non-paper,” was released by Luis Vayas Valdivieso, chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, convened by the United Nations. | Bascar/Shutterstock
A new draft of the U.N.’s global treaty on plastics has sparked disappointment from environmental groups after leaving some of the most contentious issues unaddressed. Continue Reading
The first report from The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition set a goal of increasing the U.S. PP recycling rate in the next two years. | Afanasiev Andrii/Shutterstock
The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition has given out $15 million in 60 grants, improving PP recycling access for 48 million people in 26 states, according to its first annual report. Continue Reading
California lawmakers overhauled the state’s troubled carpet recycling program. | optimarc/Shutterstock
Carpet recovery and recycling in California will soon look a little different, after the signing of a new law that will change the recycling rate calculation and emphasize carpet-to-carpet content.
The new How2Recycle Plus label will include a QR code to provide more detailed recycling acceptance information. | Dan Leif/Resource Recycling, Inc.
How2Recycle has announced new looks and capabilities for its labels, including the ability to scan a QR code and access The Recycling Partnership’s Recycle Check data.
The new leader of the pact discussed his vision for the organization and how he plans to tackle the many challenges ahead. | Meaw_Stocker/Shutterstock
In July, Jonathan Quinn was named CEO of the U.S. Plastics Pact, succeeding Executive Director Emily Tipaldo. Continue Reading
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
The 2024 U.S. elections are the subject of a four-session webinar series held by the Recycled Materials Association. | Phil-Pasquini/Shutterstock
The next occupants of Congress and the White House likely will bring changes to corporate taxes, project permits, worker protections and other industry concerns no matter who wins this year’s elections, legal experts said last week during the first of four webinars hosted by the Recycled Materials Association about the 2024 races. But uncertainty still reigns when it comes to who will win, what they’ll be able to accomplish and how states and courts will respond. Continue Reading