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.
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.
Maine lawmakers approved the first statewide prohibition on polystyrene foodservice packaging last week. The plastics industry quickly criticized the move.
Federal legislation proposed in Canada requires consumer packaging to be made from a short list of recyclable materials. The guidelines include only two plastic resins.
A bill that would require 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic to be used in beverage containers by 2035 is gaining traction in America’s most populous state.
The Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines.
Lawmakers in Iowa and Tennessee recently passed legislation that eases regulation for gasification and pyrolysis facilities that handle recovered polymers.
Recycling stakeholders are pushing back against a container deposit expansion proposal in New York state, saying it will injure recycling programs when they’re already struggling with a down market.
Congress has passed a bill reauthorizing a marine debris program. The legislation also asks President Trump to work with other countries on international waste management solutions.
Plastics industry interests are lobbying Washington politicians to fund recycling infrastructure projects, a new area of focus for groups that have historically emphasized trade and regulatory issues.
This story has been corrected.
California legislation requiring 20 percent recycled content in PET bottles failed. Meanwhile, state lawmakers passed a number of other plastic and recycling-related bills before adjourning.
Policymakers and companies have taken recent action on single-use plastic bags. One major corporation’s decision to phase out bags has been cited as evidence of changing retailer mindsets.