Back to Top

Tag Archives: research

Experts discuss trade-offs of recycled-content mandates

Published: January 12, 2022
Updated:

by
Empty PET bottles for recycling.

A recent webinar brought together experts to cover the benefits and complications of recycled-content mandates.| Monticello/Shutterstock

Recycled-content laws are a tool for driving post-consumer resin demand. But what if producers are given too many outs, feedstock is in short supply, or the mandates actually result in greater environmental harm?

Continue Reading

Multiple factors constraining food-contact PCR supply

Published: December 8, 2021
Updated:

by
Pellets spilled from tube onto blue surface.

A newly published study set out to explore the barriers and possible solutions to growing the use of recycled plastic in food-contact-suitable applications. | StanislauV/Shutterstock

Contaminating additives and declining recycling rates for food packaging are limiting growth in production of food-grade recycled resin, according to research from a consulting firm.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

Federal institute funds plastics recycling research

Published: December 8, 2021
Updated:

by
Braskem logo on computer screen under magnifying glass.

Plastics producer Braksem is involved with a couple of new research projects that have received funding from the REMADE Institute. | Pavel Kapysh/Shutterstock

Braskem, BASF, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries and other familiar industry names are involved in plastics recycling research projects that received funding this month.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged |

Plastic pollution draws federal and global attention

Published: December 1, 2021
Updated:

by
Flags from various nations against a blue sky background.

The U.S. Secretary of State has indicated U.S. support for a global plastics pollution treaty. | Gerain0812/Shutterstock

The U.S. has signaled support for a worldwide agreement to reduce marine plastic pollution. Meanwhile, the EU is drafting stricter export rules, a watchdog group is mapping plastic dump sites, and researchers shared findings on the greenhouse gas impacts of virgin plastic shipments.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , , |

US PET bottle recycling rate continues to sink

Published: November 3, 2021
Updated:

by
PET bottles for recycling.

Data shows that in 2020 PET bottles notched a 26.6% collection rate in the U.S., down from 27.9% in 2019. | Torychemistry/Shutterstock

Demand for RPET increased 10% in 2020, but it was accompanied by a decrease in PET bottle collection, according to an annual report from the National Association for PET Container Resources.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

Report compares recycled-content certification programs

Published: October 20, 2021
Updated:

by
PET bottles for recycling.

The report comes as governments around the world move toward requiring the use of recycled plastic in certain products. | Picsfive / Shutterstock

Over a dozen different recycled-content standards and certifications are used around the world. A new report commissioned by Canadian leaders compares and contrasts them.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Report examines how to boost recycling markets in Texas

Published: October 20, 2021
Updated:

by
Bales of plastics in a recycling facility.

A new report shows the bulk of recyclables collected in Texas are processed at 31 MRFs. | RYosha / Shutterstock

A comprehensive look at the Lone Star State’s recycling system identified several strategies governments can use to bolster recycling market development in their jurisdictions, including recycled-content mandates and public procurement policies.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

Move sets up growth for recycling test lab

Published: October 6, 2021
Updated:

by
Plastics testing equipment at PFE's new facility in Merrimack, N.H.

Plastics testing equipment at PFE’s new facility in Merrimack, N.H. | Courtesy of PFE

Plastics Forming Enterprises may have only moved about seven miles away, but the larger new space enables significant growth in service capabilities and capacity, company leaders said in an interview.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

How ‘supercritical’ CO2 can lead to cleaner recycled resin

Published: September 15, 2021
Updated:

by
Extruded opaque sheet of thermoplastic from printed film scrap (left) and translucent sheet produced through a supercritical CO2 extrusion process.

Extruded opaque sheet of thermoplastic from printed film scrap (left) and translucent sheet produced through a supercritical CO2 extrusion process. | Courtesy of AIMPLAS

A form of pressurized carbon dioxide can be used to remove contaminants from post-consumer plastic melt, improving the quality of the final pellets, according to a research organization.

Continue Reading