Chinese import restrictions and their ripple effects cut into recycling revenues for North America’s largest hauling companies, financial filings show.
Recycled film consumer Trex saw its net income climb by more than 40 percent last year, boosted by ample availability of scrap PE.
Higher recovered PET prices pinched profits for recycled polyester fiber manufacturer Unifi last fall.
Jim Fish, CEO of Waste Management, speaks at the company’s annual sustainability forum.
Recovered plastic buyers and a relationship with major U.S. reclaimer KW Plastics have helped Waste Management through recent market troubles. The hauler has even made equipment upgrades specifically to meet that demand.
Bioplastic Recycling’s PLA resins, which are green because of printing on many PLA cups.
PLA is marketed to consumers for its ability to degrade in composting systems. But a Los Angeles startup sees mechanical recycling in the material’s future.
The leader of a major West Coast trash and recyclables company is prepared to bankroll a California ballot measure taking aim at single-use plastics.
Prices for post-consumer PET and natural HDPE have remained flat over the past month. Both are up significantly from this time last year.
Envision Plastics has had success integrating marine plastics into the supply chain. But if more brand owners don’t step up to purchase the material, the whole effort may have to scale back, an executive at the reclaimer said.
Waste Management’s latest sustainability report delves into factors impacting the plastics recycling industry as a whole, including fluctuating markets, sustainable materials management, technological advances and more.
