Back to Top

Tag Archives: regulation/oversight

New version of California EPR regulations released

Published: May 21, 2025
Updated:

by
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. 

Continue Reading

Clarity on future of FDA LNO program yet to emerge

Published: May 14, 2025
Updated:

by
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. 

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

Stakeholders debate Maine recyclable materials list

Published: April 23, 2025
Updated:

by
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
Updated:

by

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

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Delays, retaliation mark latest tariff developments

Published: April 16, 2025
Updated:

by

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

Posted in News | Tagged , |

Federal funding uncertainty hits recycling projects

Published: April 9, 2025
Updated:

by
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
Updated:

by
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

SB 54 advisory board seeks clarification from governor

Published: March 24, 2025
Updated:

by

The rulemaking for extended producer responsibility law SB 54 was set back earlier in the month when Gov. Gavin Newsom sent the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery back to the drawing board. | Susanne Pommer/Shutterstock

A late March advisory board meeting brought dozens of public comments but little additional detail on a new timeline for California’s extended producer responsibility rulemaking.  Continue Reading

Ethics complaint filed in SB 54 back-and-forth

Published: March 5, 2025
Updated:

by
Baled plastics for recycling.

An anonymous complaint asked California’s Fair Political Practices Commission to investigate Rachel Wagoner for a violation of a ban that prevents former regulators from receiving compensation to work against the state on matters that were under their purview. | Zlikovec/Shutterstock

A formal ethics complaint has been lodged against Rachel Wagoner, formerly the director of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery who is now with producer responsibility organization Circular Action Alliance. The complaint alleges that she is lobbying her former agency in violation of a state “switching sides” ban. Continue Reading

Planned EPA cuts could hit grants, staffing

Published: March 5, 2025
Updated:

by

The EPA administrator pointed to staffing, office space and grants as areas to cut agency spending. | John Hanson Pye/Shutterstock

Details are scarce on U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s plans to cut his agency’s spending by 65% or more, but some of its 15,000 full-time-equivalent positions and grants to recycling programs across the country could be on the chopping block.  Continue Reading