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.
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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Reverse vending machines are one component of some deposit return systems | Aleks333/Shutterstock
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
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
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
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
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
Analysis from a Closed Loop consortium studied numerous state-level methods for reducing bag waste and informed considerations for policymakers. | The Image Party/Shutterstock
A new report on state-level single-use bag laws indicates that New Jersey’s ban has had numerous effects, both positive and negative. Continue Reading
In its 2024 report, the major paper fiber consumer also noted that purchases of recovered fiber edged higher from 2023 but still were below 2022 levels. | Worradirek/Shutterstock
Atlanta-based Graphic Packaging recently released its 2024 Impact Report, in which the company showed mixed results surrounding its sustainability targets. Continue Reading
The deal will increase PCA’s ability to produce items using higher recycled content, and further Greif’s goal of focusing on its polymer offerings. | Max Zvonarev/Shutterstock
Packaging Corporation of America will buy Greif’s containerboard business, with the $1.8 billion all-cash deal expected by the end of PCA’s third quarter, in the latest development for an industry experiencing tumult. Continue Reading