With the addition of EPS bans in California and Oregon, the entire West Coast now has some level of restriction on the material. | Kittiwat Chaitoep/Shutterstock
As of the first of the year, restrictions on EPS foodware items in California and Oregon are officially in effect. Continue Reading
The team from Cornell and Princeton universities leveraged the colorant carbon black and LED or sunlight to break down PS packaging to the molecular level. | NisanatStudio/Shutterstock
Although additives in plastics often are viewed as problematic, researchers at Cornell and Princeton universities have developed a technique to recycle plastics containing the colorant carbon black using sunlight. Continue Reading
California’s extended producer responsibility for packaging law requires EPS food serviceware and packaging to demonstrate a recycling rate of no less than 25% by Jan. 1. | Justinboat.29/Shutterstock
Expanded polystyrene food serviceware producers have only a few months left to prove that the material has a recycling rate of at least 25% in California or face the prohibition of selling into the state.
S 2830 seeks to regulate many single-use plastic products, improve recycling access and commission studies on extended producer responsibility, organics and PS. | Natalia Bratslavsky/Shutterstock
A bill that combines a half-dozen environmental actions, touching on extended producer responsibility for several materials, plastic bans and access to both bulky plastic and organics recycling, has passed the Massachusetts Senate and gone onto the House for consideration. Continue Reading
Agilyx and Americas Styrenics’ 50-50 joint PS recycling venture is closing down. | Courtesy of Agilyx
Agilyx and Americas Styrenics decided to close their joint venture in PS recycling, Regenyx, after five years and 6 million pounds processed.
Two industry organizations have given more than $1.3 million in grants over the last several months. | Dmitry Demidovich/Shutterstock
In the last several months, the Foodservice Packaging Institute’s Foam Recycling Coalition has given out multiple grants for foam densifiers and the Vinyl Institute awarded nine grants to improve PVC recycling systems. Continue Reading
In addition to its proposed ban on EPS packaging, Ocean Conservancy wants to ensure banned items aren’t simply replaced by other single-use plastic items. | Courtesy of Ocean Conservancy
As it kicks off its 38th International Coastal Cleanup, environmental group Ocean Conservancy is calling for a nationwide ban on expanded polystyrene foodservice packaging. Continue Reading
Pregis and NOVA Chemicals collaborated to produce a recycled-content pouch. | Courtesy of Pregis
SABIC and NOVA Chemicals both recently released new resins made with recycled content, and INEOS Styrolution and TOMRA announced plans for commercial-scale PS recycling for food-contact packaging. Continue Reading
In addition to scaling up its polystyrene recycling capabilities, Polystyvert will collaborate with several partners to adapt its technology to handle ABS. | Courtesy of Polystyvert
Montreal-based Polystyvert plans to build its first full-scale commercial PS recycling plant, as well as a pilot-scale plant for ABS. Continue Reading
Although it is opposed by the plastics and packaging industry, the EPS ban enjoys support from environmental groups and the Association of Oregon Recyclers. | Wk1003 Mike/Shutterstock
Oregon lawmakers sent the governor bills that ban polystyrene food service ware and allow restaurants to serve food in their customers’ reusable containers. Continue Reading