Research from RRS found that in 2021, only 9% of U.S. recycling programs used a search app or tool for outreach, but apps appear to be gaining in popularity. | zhu-difeng/Shutterstock
Smartphones are a ubiquitous tool for many Americans, and several states have recently started using apps, including Recycle Coach, to disseminate recycling information.
Finland-based Specim offers a mid-wave infrared imaging that it says can provide more nuanced sorting of black plastics. | Courtesy of Specim
Black plastics are difficult to recycle due to their light-absorbing properties, which interfere with optical sensors at MRFs. But Finland-based Specim says it has a solution. Continue Reading
The FDA awarded 27 letters of no objection to 21 companies between January and June. | Vershinin89/Shutterstock
Nearly two dozen plastics recycling processes received a federal greenlight for food and drink applications in the first half of 2024. Continue Reading
EverestLabs uses robotic arms, AI, machine learning and visioning systems to automate material sorting. | Courtesy of EverestLabs
To address recycled feedstock supply challenges, robotics and AI company EverestLabs says there’s a need to pivot to new technologies. Continue Reading
International Recycling Group has secured a guarantee for up to $182.6 million in loans from the DOE, and is looking to proceed with its long-planned project, which incorporates plastic resin production and plastic waste as feedstock for furnaces used in steel manufacture. | TKCREDIT/Shutterstock
A Pennsylvania project from International Recycling Group has gained momentum, with a commitment for a multimillion-dollar loan from the U.S. Department of Energy. Continue Reading
Matium both connects buyers and sellers and makes data reporting easier for users of the digital platform. | Ann-Moore/Shutterstock
Matium last month began the commercial launch of a platform that digitizes many aspects of the plastics recycling trading business. The company also received a recent funding boost from an economic development agency in Colorado.
Shannon Gordon, the chief operating officer of Circular.Co., speaks about the growing trend of digital commodity trading at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Big Wave Productions/Plastics Recycling Update
Online buying, selling and trading is the future of recycled commodity sales – but we’re not in the future quite yet, digital platform providers said at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference in March. Continue Reading
Brook + Whittle’s GreenLabel BlockOut product is a crystallizable shrink sleeve, which is used with de-inkable inks and a functional barrier coating. | Courtesy of Brook + Whittle
A Connecticut-based manufacturer of shrink sleeves and flexible packaging has secured a U.S. patent for a coating that both blocks light and works in the existing recycling system. Continue Reading
Heartland developed hemp-based materials that can be used as additives in plastic compounds. | StanislauV/Shutterstock
A Detroit-based startup that uses natural fiber as plastic additives has secured an investment from a German business incubator. Continue Reading
Plastic Odyssey has stopped in 20 countries over the last year and a half, working to connect local plastics recycling stakeholders and share recycling knowledge. | Photo courtesy Plastic Odyssey
It’s been nearly 18 months since a 128-foot vessel embarked on a global voyage to share knowledge and equipment with communities facing plastic pollution management challenges. A leader of the Plastic Odyssey project reported on the progress in an interview. Continue Reading