Plastic recycling headlines by topic
For a full list of news stories, click the topic name.
Agricultural plastics
- Canadian ag recycling sees continued success
- PCR procurement shifts as needed volumes grow
- Revolution expands film lineup with Norflex buy
Asia
- Study: Pricing opacity hurts recycling in four countries
- Indorama Ventures boosts RPET production
- Study: Tailored changes needed for urban circularity
Brand owners
- Unifi pushes for textile recycling progress
- Packaging giant invests to expand PCR capability
- Candy giant Mars reached 7% PCR use in 2024
Canada
- Proposed Canadian EPR changes could inform US plans
- Canadian ag recycling sees continued success
- Research, programs improve film recycling access
Challenging materials
- Unifi pushes for textile recycling progress
- PET Recycling Coalition doubles down on thermoforms
- RIT researchers develop AI-based textile recycling system
Chemical recycling
- EPA withdraws proposed rules aimed at chemical recycling
- Groups add nuance to policy position on chemical recycling
- Texas plant in limbo after Eastman loses DOE grant
Collection
- NexTrex program boosts local film recovery efforts
- How MRFs develop their accepted material lists
- Research, programs improve film recycling access
Container deposits
- Coke bottler’s switch to clear PET provides lessons learned
- Both coasts see DRS program changes
- Texas bottle bill hits milestone, but does not pass
Converters
- California will fund mixed plastics facility, other projects
- Amcor to acquire Berry Global in $8.4B all-stock deal
- Companies provide updates on recycling operations
Courts/lawsuits
- Brightmark bankruptcy: Parent company wins auction bid
- Resin producer, environmental group lawsuits heat up
- Clorox fined millions for ocean-bound content claims
EPR/stewardship
- Circular Action Alliance revises Colorado EPR plan
- PET Recycling Coalition doubles down on thermoforms
- Proposed Canadian EPR changes could inform US plans
Europe
- Financing, uncertainty feed EU recycler bankruptcies
- PCR mandates, global policy needed to improve rates
- European plastics recycling sector faces slew of challenges
Exports
- Malaysia’s import ban ‘very much up in the air’
- Some tariffs suspended, metal duties spur backlash
- Scrap plastic from Canada, Mexico subject to tariffs
Film
- NexTrex program boosts local film recovery efforts
- Major plastic initiative sets sights on system change
- Research, programs improve film recycling access
HDPE
- Malaysia’s import ban ‘very much up in the air’
- PakTech prepares for benefits, challenges under EPR
- Bale pricing bucks seasonal trend, trade alliances shift
Industry groups
- California lawmakers look to quantify PCR imports
- Q&A: With EPR incoming, end markets are crucial
- NY legislative session ends, again without EPR
LDPE
- NexTrex program boosts local film recovery efforts
- Analysis shines spotlight on New Jersey bag ban
- WM unveils bigger, better film recycling plant in Texas
Legislation
- California lawmakers look to quantify PCR imports
- NY legislative session ends, again without EPR
- Both coasts see DRS program changes
Marine debris
- Researchers: Effective plastic treaty requires production cuts
- UN member countries bring focus to plastic treaty
- INC-5.2 for global plastic treaty to be held in August
Markets
- Bale pricing bucks seasonal trend, trade alliances shift
- Trex, Mohawk, Indorama report Q1 earnings
- Haulers share how weather, tariffs impacted Q1
Opinion
- In My Opinion: Defining the future of plastic recycling
- In My Opinion: EPR takeaways from OECD meeting
- Editor’s Take: The problem with the Greenpeace data
PET
- Unifi pushes for textile recycling progress
- Candy giant Mars reached 7% PCR use in 2024
- PET Recycling Coalition doubles down on thermoforms
PP
- Malaysia’s import ban ‘very much up in the air’
- Procurement tactics adapt to new supply realities
- Walmart, Berry continue work toward 2025 plastics goals
Processors
- Major plastic initiative sets sights on system change
- California will fund mixed plastics facility, other projects
- E-plastics processor expands line of recycled board
PS
- Materials traceability tools add PCR accountability, trust
- Industry groups form recycling alliance for PS
- Bans of some EPS take effect in California, Oregon
PVC
- Producer program increases PVC recycling in Colombia
- Vinyl industry reports flat recycling figures
- Azek reports less recycled material used in 2023
Research
- RIT researchers develop AI-based textile recycling system
- Researchers: Effective plastic treaty requires production cuts
- Research, programs improve film recycling access
Rigid plastics
- Bottle cap design: No need to ‘reinvent the wheel’
- Mondelez, General Mills, Cotopaxi report progress
- Procurement tactics adapt to new supply realities