Readers last month were drawn to an insider’s analysis of recycled fiber markets. | Quang Ho/Shutterstock
Readers last month were drawn to articles covering recovered material markets and movement, racial diversity in the recycling sector, the effects of industry consolidation and more.
The list below shows our top stories published in February in terms of unique page views.
1 | Paper and plastic exports drop again in 2020
Recovered paper shipments from the U.S. to China slowed immensely as 2020 drew to a close, newly released figures show. Meanwhile, scrap plastic exports decreased during the year, but shipments to certain countries grew sharply.
2 | ‘There is no diversity’: The racial inequities in recycling leadership
Businesses engaged in materials recovery tend to be overwhelmingly white at the upper levels of management. Here’s a look at the scope of the issue and some initial efforts to bring more people of color to executive roles.
3 | Expert explains why OCC prices are bucking expectations
The end of 2020 was marked by promising recovered fiber prices. An analyst says that’s due to strong domestic and international demand, despite China’s move to cease buying.
4 | In My Opinion: How ‘Big Waste’ degraded US recycling
An expert explores how corporate consolidation in the waste sector is negatively impacting materials recovery efforts.
5 | Prices for most recycled plastics continue to rise
The past month has been marked by value boosts for recovered PET, HDPE and PP. Fiber grades recovered in curbside programs, however, have been flat or slightly down.
