Municipal sector grapples with plastic realities

Published: September 5, 2019
Updated: September 6, 2019
by Dan Leif

Juri Freeman of Resource Recycling Systems (left) moderated a plastics-focused panel consisting of (from left to right) Michael Sangiacomo of Recology, Zeina El-Azzi of Brightmark Energy, Kate Bailey of Eco-Cycle and Tim Ponrathnam of Berry Global. | Resource Recycling Conference/Brian Adams Photography

Should some types of single-use plastic be banned? Or is infrastructure improvement a better answer to current plastic waste concerns? A varied group of industry leaders tackled those questions last week.

State lawmakers give chemical recycling a boost

Published: August 21, 2019
Updated: August 21, 2019
by Colin Staub

Ohio lawmakers recently passed a bill codifying a number of definitions related to chemical recycling. | Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock

The sixth- and seventh-largest states in the country recently approved legislation that could help operators using pyrolysis and other technologies.

Posted in Top stories | Tagged industry groups, legislation, technology |

Plastics recycling garners federal attention amid rising pressure

Published: July 31, 2019
Updated: July 31, 2019
by Colin Staub

Legislation introduced last week establishes a framework to enable recycling-related investments. | LWPhotography/Shutterstock

Recycling issues have hit the national stage with unprecedented fervor in recent weeks. Citing recycling market challenges and growing plastic pollution, lawmakers are advancing legislation and pressuring government agencies to take action.

Posted in Top stories | Tagged brand owners, industry groups, legislation |

Plastics recycling elevated to national stage

Published: July 24, 2019
Updated: July 24, 2019
by Colin Staub

Proposed legislation would include measures to reduce plastic pollution and remove certain single-use products from use. | LLoughran/Shutterstock

Lawmakers are bringing plastics recycling to the federal level with a legislative proposal that includes a national bottle bill and extended producer responsibility.

Posted in Top stories | Tagged container deposits, EPR/stewardship, legislation |

Proposed plastics fee and other Calif. legislative news

Published: July 10, 2019
Updated: July 10, 2019
by Colin Staub

Calif. legislators have heard from a cadre of industry groups recently. | ZikG/Shutterstock

As a plastic packaging reduction bill moves forward in California, an industry group is recommending a per-item fee to fund recycling efforts.

Posted in Top stories | Tagged California, legislation |

Lawmakers push to minimize packaging

Published: June 5, 2019
Updated: June 5, 2019
by Jared Paben

A pair of California bills taking aim at single-use plastic packaging are getting close to the governor’s desk.

Posted in Top stories | Tagged industry groups, legislation |

Stakeholders open up on push for PCR film

Published: May 30, 2019
Updated: May 29, 2019
by Colin Staub

Governments, MRF operators, reclaimers and end users are calling for government regulation that requires recycled content in plastic bags.

Posted in Top stories | Tagged film, legislation |

EU leaders approve single-use plastics law

Published: May 22, 2019
Updated: May 22, 2019
by Jared Paben

The final stamp of approval has been given to a European Union law banning certain single-use plastic products, setting high bottle collection targets and requiring recycled content in bottles.

Posted in Top stories | Tagged Europe, legislation |

State takes step toward plastic stewardship

Published: May 22, 2019
Updated: May 22, 2019
by Colin Staub

The Washington state capitol building in Olympia.

Washington will explore plastic packaging product stewardship, industry-led efforts and other plastic waste management strategies, under legislation signed by the state’s governor this week.

Posted in News | Tagged EPR/stewardship, legislation |

EU to enact chemical threshold for recycled plastic

Published: May 15, 2019
Updated: May 15, 2019
by Jared Paben

European Union leaders appear to have settled on a limit for trace amounts of flame retardants in recycled plastics. A reclaimer called the limit “workable,” but activists say it’s not nearly restrictive enough.

Posted in News | Tagged Europe, legislation |

Tag Archives: legislation