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Author Archives: Antoinette Smith

About Antoinette Smith

Antoinette Smith started working for Resource Recycling in June 2024 after spending several years covering commodity plastics and supply chains, with a special focus on economic impacts. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Study maps barriers to firms’ supply chain climate goals

Published: October 14, 2025
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Although the study from MIT addressed broader climate-related goals, the results provided insight into what drives companies to pursue sustainability initiatives. | Tada Images/Shutterstock

Key Takeaways:

  • Making climate goals public encourages follow-through
  • Supplier opacity, unclear calculations hinder Scope 3 reporting 
  • Global company targets resist shifts in policy

Publicly articulating clear sustainability goals helps ensure company follow-through, according to an annual supply chain study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Continue Reading

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Colorado $10m grant fuels new MRF on state’s Western Slope

Published: October 7, 2025
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Flags of the U.S. and Colorado

The award will provide about half of the expected costs for the new MRF, which will increase recycling access for the region’s rural population. | Rarrarorro / Shutterstock

The City of Grand Junction received a nearly $10 million grant to increase recycling access on Colorado’s Western Slope, including construction of a new MRF.

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Colorado approval signals path forward for PRO choice

Published: October 6, 2025
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The Lubricants Packaging Management Association became the first independent producer responsibility organization to gain approval in a state EPR program. | Air Images / Shutterstock

Although a designated producer responsibility organization (PRO) receives much of the attention for any state’s emerging extended producer responsibility (EPR) plan for packaging, independent PROs quietly address more specialized needs. Continue Reading

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Trump adds PET resin to ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

Published: September 9, 2025
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Cargo shipping containers stacked at a logistics hub.

PET resin previously was not subject to the 2025 tariffs, and the move drew comment from APR but added to market confusion. | BigPixel/Shutterstock

Editor’s note: This is a developing story.

US President Donald Trump has expanded tariffs to include PET resin as of Sept. 8, according to a new executive order. The move drew comment from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) because of its expected impact on imported resin, but added uncertainty to the market.

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CalRecycle opens comment again for SB 54 rules

Published: September 3, 2025
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California flag and U.S. flag with blue sky background.

The draft regulations have seen several iterations, drawing criticism from industry stakeholders. | Rarrarorro/Shutterstock

California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has opened the public comment period for its latest draft of regulations for the state’s extended producer responsibility law for packaging, which have drawn criticism from industry stakeholders.
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Avoiding EPR pitfalls requires careful, thoughtful approach

Published: September 1, 2025
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Reverse-vending-machine-aleks333-Shutterstock

Reverse vending machines are one component of some deposit return systems | Aleks333/Shutterstock

Takeaways in two minutes (or less)

  • Watch, wait and learn from the “starter seven”
  • Focus first on expanding bottle deposit systems
  • Highlight economic impact to gain bipartisan support
  • Kentucky, Tennessee, Carolinas primed for action
  • Learn from the Canadian experience

 

In an active year for legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution and waste, recycling stakeholders have a bevy of lessons to draw from, even with bills that have come under attack or didn’t quite pass. Continue Reading

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Associations update bale specs for fiber, plastics

Published: August 12, 2025
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Coffee cups stacked in a cafe.

The two organizations maintain the industry standard for acceptable materials, which have been updated for PE packaging as well as for paper cups. | Andy Shell/Shutterstock

The Association of Plastic Recyclers and the Recycled Materials Association have updated specifications for post-consumer plastic bales, following a collaborative development process between the two organizations. Continue Reading

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Haulers feel effects of lower recycled commodity prices

Published: August 5, 2025
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Five publicly traded North American waste haulers decreased expectations for full-year commodity pricing, and gave insights into new and upgraded capacity. | Photo Courtesy of Republic Services

Story Highlights

  • Republic Services nods to future Pennsylvania site
  • Tariffs take a toll
  • Construction sector slowness to continue
  • Canadian EPR provides tailwind for GFL

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Carton recycling access updated on CalRecycle report

Published: July 29, 2025
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The state’s recycling and waste management agency revised its final findings for SB 343 to reflect data submitted by the Carton Council. | SunnyToys/Shutterstock

California’s recycling and waste management office has updated its report on accurate recycling labels to show an increase in counties served by food and beverage carton recycling and sortation programs, reflecting data provided by the Carton Council of North America. Continue Reading

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WM report suggests 2025 goal is out of reach

Published: July 22, 2025
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The sustainability report for the nation’s largest hauler shows WM has increased recovered materials tonnage by only 5% since 2021, but has a 2025 goal of a 25% increase. | Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

Hauler WM appears unlikely to reach its 2025 interim goal for materials recovered for recycling, despite an increase from the baseline level, according to data from its latest sustainability report.  Continue Reading

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