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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].

Tariff chaos weaves through recycled commodity markets

Published: April 8, 2025
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Cargo ship docked at logistics hub.

Regulations that can change from hour to hour are causing headaches for buyers and sellers but could present opportunities should they remain in place. | aapsky/Shutterstock

After many weeks of shifting narratives and uncertainty, participants in recycled commodity markets are working to navigate the new tariff environment, in which buyers and sellers as well as customs officials struggle to align federal mandates with on-the-ground implementation.   Continue Reading

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Missouri details state facility recycling data

Published: April 1, 2025
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Yellow recycle container with chasing arrows symbol.

During the fiscal year, state employees recycled 12.9 million pounds of materials, generating $83,326 in revenue for Missouri’s recycling fund and avoiding $716,065 in landfill fees. | Roman Zaiets/Shutterstock

The Missouri state recycling program generated tens of thousands of dollars in revenue and saved the state hundreds of thousands in waste disposal fees, according to a recent report. Continue Reading

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Maryland webinar gives tips on countering misinformation

Published: April 1, 2025
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A March 27 webinar featured tips and best practices from recycling experts Chaz Miller and Gretchen Carey. | One Photo/Shutterstock

In recent years, the recycling industry has seen negative media coverage that has not only perpetuated myths but also contributed to public mistrust of collection and recycling – and ultimately could be contributing to lower collection rates.  Continue Reading

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Traceability tools increase recycled material trust

Published: March 18, 2025
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Traceability tools can act as a scorecard, providing proof that recycling works and helping counter an often one-sided narrative in consumer media outlets. | 9dream Studio/Shutterstock

Editor’s note: Learn more about traceability technology and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland. Continue Reading

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Nova commissions first US film recycling facility

Published: March 11, 2025
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Partners Novolex and Nova Chemicals are proactively working to increase feedstock supply for the new Indiana facility, which can process 140 million pounds a year of LLDPE film. | Antoinette Smith/Resource Recycling

Editor’s note: Learn more about accelerating film recycling and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland.  Continue Reading

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ND Paper plans to restart Wisconsin mill

Published: March 4, 2025
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Owned by Chinese paper giant Nine Dragons, ND Paper cited growing demand for its products. | Courtesy of ND Paper

Illinois-headquartered ND Paper plans to restart a recycled paper machine at its Biron mill in central Wisconsin in the second half of 2025, citing growing demand for its packaging products. Continue Reading

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Plant closures highlight larger migration

Published: February 19, 2025
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End users of recycled materials across several sectors have announced plans to shut down or relocate facilities of late.  | Worradirek/Shutterstock

The latest earnings calls for recycled paper, glass and plastic end users and processors have brought facility closure and layoff announcements, at times contrasting with recent expansion plans.  Continue Reading

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Swapping paper for plastics a rising trend

Published: February 11, 2025
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Brands including Nestle, parent company of Vital Proteins, are incorporating paper-based packaging to help reduce their use of plastics. | Courtesy of Nestlé

Faced with public scrutiny over the use of plastic packaging, a growing number of brand owners are touting their switch to paper-based alternatives, including recent moves by Driscoll’s, Nestlé, Mars and more. Continue Reading

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Fiber companies begin to shift away from price indexes

Published: February 4, 2025
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Fiber packaging at the factory

Two fiber companies recently announced they are moving away from established price indices. | Mark Agnor/Shutterstock

This story has been corrected. 

Packaging Corporation of America will stop linking its customer agreements to third-party pricing indexes, becoming the second major packager to announce similar intentions due to frustration with the leading index. Continue Reading

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Plastics, recycling industries speak out on tariffs

Published: February 4, 2025
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shipping exports

Between January and November 2024, Mexico provided 18% of the 1.285 million metric tons of bottle-grade and film-grade PET resin, while Canadian volumes accounted for 7%, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. | November Studio/Shutterstock

U.S. President Donald Trump implemented 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, effective Feb. 4, then delayed them, creating a rapidly changing trade landscape that furthered uncertainty in the recycling and plastics industries.  Continue Reading

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