Federal plastics recycling legislation was of interest to readers in March. | S-F/Shutterstock
Readers last month were drawn to articles covering export data, federal and state legislative developments, market pricing and more.
The list below shows our top stories published in March in terms of unique page views.
1 | Surprise rise: Paper and plastic exports up to start 2021
Exports of U.S. scrap paper and plastic increased in January 2021 compared with 2020, despite China’s exit from the recovered paper market and new Basel Convention regulations on plastic shipments.
2 | Federal plastics proposal returns
Two members of Congress have revived the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, which includes a national container deposit system and other sweeping changes. Representatives from the plastics industry have countered the push.
3 | Can this deposit-like system fly in Texas?
Legislation being considered in Texas would create a program injecting tens of millions of dollars into the recycling system each year while also paying consumers to return plastic bottles, cups and film.
4 | Most curbside recyclables see significant price increases
Prices for a slew of curbside recyclables – OCC, UBCs, PET, HDPE and PP – all surged last month, bringing good news for MRFs.
5 | Haulers enjoyed recyclables prices in 2020
Higher commodity prices boosted recycling revenues for Waste Management, Republic Services and North America’s other largest haulers last year, according to earnings reports.
