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Tag Archives: regulation/oversight

Proposed Canadian EPR changes could inform US plans

Published: June 25, 2025
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With Ontario two years into its 2023-2025 transition to a producer responsibility model for paper and packaging recycling, stakeholders have asked for more time and lower costs. | Maxim Studio/Shutterstock

Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, is looking to make adjustments to its signature law for extended producer responsibility in packaging, in response to producer feedback about costs and other program concerns.  Continue Reading

Researchers: Effective plastic treaty requires production cuts

Published: June 25, 2025
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Scientists from nine universities worked together on a paper, focused on the need to reduce plastic production. | Poring Studio/Shutterstock

Scientists from universities in several countries released a paper that concluded production cuts must be part of the legally binding treaty to manage global plastic pollution if it’s to achieve its goals.  Continue Reading

Beverage and bag producers fined for recycled resin failures

Published: June 11, 2025
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used beverage containers

Two dozen plastics producers were penalized for failing to use the minimum recycled content required in Washington state. | Emilija Miljkovic/Shutterstock

Plastics producers who failed to meet Washington state’s minimum post-consumer resin threshold were recently hit with fines ranging from a couple hundred dollars up to $55,000. Continue Reading

New version of California EPR regulations released

Published: May 21, 2025
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California state building

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery released a revised informal draft of SB 54 regulations. | Michael Warwick/Shutterstock

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery released a revised draft of SB 54 regulations, two months after the governor rejected the first version of the extended producer responsibility for paper and packaging rules. 

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Clarity on future of FDA LNO program yet to emerge

Published: May 14, 2025
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Resins spilled out of a tube onto a pink background.

Following dramatic staffing cuts and an overall lack of clarity from federal officials, the future of an important program for recycled plastics remains a question mark. | StanislauV/Shutterstock

Amid sweeping federal staffing cuts, the future of a government program to assess processes to make food packaging from recycled plastics is unclear, sources told Plastics Recycling Update in recent interviews. 

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Stakeholders debate Maine recyclable materials list

Published: April 23, 2025
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Maine capitol building in Augusta.

The initial recyclable materials list classifies just under a dozen material types as readily recyclable under Maine’s EPR program, but state representatives emphasized it was a first draft. | KWJPHOTOART/Shutterstock

More than 100 people showed up in-person and virtually to an informal stakeholder meeting on Maine’s draft material types list for the state’s extended producer responsibility program for packaging.   Continue Reading

US labels Canadian agenda as trade barrier

Published: April 23, 2025
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The Trump administration included Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste Agenda among numerous barriers to foreign trade in a recent report. | Monticello/Shutterstock

The Trump administration has included Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste Agenda among foreign trade barriers, drawing criticism from a Canadian advocacy group and caution from the country’s chemical industry. Continue Reading

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Delays, retaliation mark latest tariff developments

Published: April 16, 2025
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Smartphones and laptops are exempt from U.S. tariffs targeting Chinese imports, but other goods are currently subject to 145% in duties. | Metamorworks/Shutterstock

Country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs have been pushed out until July, but a universal base rate tariff rolled out last week, which covers all countries, and earlier metals tariffs remain in effect. Meanwhile, an all-out trade war between the U.S. and China is intensifying. Continue Reading

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Federal funding uncertainty hits recycling projects

Published: April 9, 2025
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International Recycling Group plant rendering.

A proposed International Recycling Group facility in Pennsylvania, seen here in a 2021 rendering, has been canceled concurrent with the project’s loss of federal funding. | Courtesy of International Recycling Group

Dramatic federal funding cuts have affected at least two plastics recycling efforts, contributing to a major project being canceled in Pennsylvania and forcing an accelerated timeline for self-sufficiency at an Alaska composite lumber operation. Continue Reading

Blue Polymers, Polyfit, many others receive FDA letters

Published: April 9, 2025
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Thermoform plastic packaging.

Letters of no objection allow companies to begin marketing their recycled resin for food-contact uses. | Konektus/Shutterstock

Two dozen companies received the go-ahead from the Food and Drug Administration to use recycled plastic in food-contact packaging during the second half of 2024. The companies span North America, Africa, Europe and Asia, and their processes include mechanical and chemical recycling. Continue Reading