In its new position paper, the Pact notes that chemical or physical recycling methods can serve applications with stricter regulations, such as food-contact packaging. | Sergey Ryzhov / Shutterstock
To help inform policy and develop industry-led best practices, the US Plastics Pact published a position paper on Wednesday regarding the role of physical and chemical recycling for plastic packaging. Continue Reading
Tennessee-based Eastman and Thailand’s Indorama Ventures painted bearish pictures of the PET landscape, to different degrees. | Tezzstock / Shutterstock
Key takeaways
Tennessee-headquartered Eastman expects to meet contractual volume requirements with capacity expansions at its flagship PET recycling plant in Kingsport while deciding how to proceed with a second US facility, CEO Mark Costa said during a recent quarterly earnings call. Continue Reading
Five producer responsibility organizations plan to complete harmonized package design guidance, anchored for plastics in the APR Design Guide, by the end of 2026. | Gary718 / Shutterstock
Five Canadian producer responsibility organizations are joining forces to provide clear, consistent guidelines to make packaging design recyclable, with plastics guidance anchored in the Association of Plastic Recyclers Design Guide. Continue Reading
Some recycled resin markets rebounded slightly in October ahead of seasonal softness | Arnaud Martinez / Shutterstock
US recycled plastic scrap and resin markets were relatively stable in October, with some baled commodities experiencing rebound activity following widespread softness in the back half of the summer and fall. Overall demand is steady to soft, as some markets still experience slower seasonal trends. Continue Reading
Major waste haulers reported strong Q3 earnings despite recycled commodity prices falling 30% to 35% on the year. | Courtesy WM
The nation’s largest waste haulers delivered strong third-quarter earnings and expanded EBITDA margins despite lower recycled commodity values. Continue Reading
Producers and municipalities look for guidance as EPR programs pass from state to state. | Studiocho / Shutterstock
Extended producer responsibility legislation has rapidly expanded across the United States over the past two years, with seven states enacting packaging-focused laws that now cover approximately 20% of the nation’s population. Continue Reading
The national average price of post-consumer PET beverage bottles and jars rose slightly for November, now averaging 5.28 cents/lb, compared to 4.50 cents/lb this time last month. Regional contracts are still yielding in the 4-7 cents range. One year ago this grade was trading at an average 16.41 cents/lb. Continue Reading
The Plastic Back process separates carbon and chlorine from discarded PVC, and the pilot plant will be sited at Freepoint Eco-Systems’ site in Hebron, Ohio. | Photo courtesy Plastic Back
Plastic Back, an Israeli startup, is taking a major step toward solving one of the toughest challenges in plastics recycling: recovering value from mixed plastic waste that includes PVC.
More than 100 recycling stakeholders urged the European Commission to address unfavorable market economics, a scenario that provides foresight into what may occur in North America. | NGCHIYUI / Shutterstock
More than 100 recyclers issued a call, coordinated by a Dutch consultancy, for the European Commission to take immediate action in addressing the causes of the current industry crisis – itself a window into what may await the North American recycling sector.