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Author Archives: Colin Staub

About Colin Staub

Colin-StaubColin Staub is a reporter at Resource Recycling. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Microsoft says it will expand tech repair options

Published: October 19, 2021
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Microsoft sign on a company building.

Microsoft will complete a third-party study focused on repair to help guide the design of future products. | Paolo Bona / Shutterstock

Facing pressure from a shareholder advocacy group, Microsoft announced it will expand the availability of parts and repair documentation, increase consumer access to local repair options, and more.

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Trex CEO: Recycled plastic demand will stay strong

Published: October 12, 2021
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Trex product installed in residential yard.

Trex recycles polyethylene film collected from warehouses, retail stores and other locations into composite lumber products. | Courtesy of Trex

The leader of composite decking manufacturer Trex shared insights on recycled polyethylene markets and sourcing channels in an interview.

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Recycling labeling debate primed to heat up nationally

Published: October 12, 2021
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Industry stakeholders say a restrictive labeling rule in California could stymie collection of polypropylene. | Allexxandar / Shutterstock

As California regulators gear up to write statewide guidelines for which products are “recyclable,” analysts say the process – spurred by recent legislation – will have national impacts.

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Stakeholders talk recycling fixes before Congress

Published: September 28, 2021
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Elizabeth Biser, of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Elizabeth Biser of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality described the importance of strong state support for materials recovery during a hearing last week.

U.S. senators last week heard about how stronger end-market demand, state support for materials recovery, technology advancements and more can strengthen the U.S. recycling system.

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Reusable packaging platform to roll out in US stores

Published: September 28, 2021
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Loop packaging for ice cream.

Before the end of 2021, Loop will move its reuse platform into U.S. grocery stores owned by Kroger. | Courtesy of Loop

Loop, a company providing reusable packaging and collection infrastructure for major consumer goods brand owners, will bring its concept into North American retail outlets this year.

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Judge ends Greenpeace’s labeling suit against Walmart

Published: September 28, 2021
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Walmart logo on shopping cart in store.

A U.S. District Court judge ruled that Greenpeace lacked standing to sue the world’s largest retailer over recyclability labeling in California. | Harun Ozmen / Shutterstock

A California court has dismissed a legal complaint Greenpeace brought against Walmart, ruling that the activist group itself was not deceived by labels indicating the corporation’s plastic packaging is recyclable.

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California is back at the center of plastics recycling debate

Published: September 14, 2021
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Calif. capitol building in Sacramento.

A bill approved by California legislators has substantial implications for how common plastic packaging items are labeled, and it could have significant recycling implications across the nation in the coming years. | Feoktistoff / Shutterstock

Producers would need to meet strict criteria to use the “chasing arrows” symbol on their plastic packaging in California under a bill approved by lawmakers last week. An industry group says the move will harm polypropylene recycling.

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Why UBC prices are up 70% year-over-year

Published: September 14, 2021
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baled aluminum

Several factors are contributing to price increases within the wider aluminum market. | Darrenp / Shutterstock

A year ago, some aluminum end markets were slowing purchases of the material. But demand has steadily increased throughout 2021, bringing welcome pricing for the municipal recycling sector.
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California bill deems some exports ‘disposal’

Published: September 8, 2021
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export containers

Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature would classify mixed plastics that are generated in California and exported from the U.S. as “disposal” rather than “recycling.” | Sumrit Tesrumphun/Shutterstock

California lawmakers have approved a bill that would no longer allow scrap plastic that is exported to be considered recycled. The legislation now heads to the governor for final consideration.

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Canadian EPR program sees decline in recycling rate

Published: August 31, 2021
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Recycling bins full with paper, cardboard and other materials.

Stewardship Ontario reported 729,906 metric tons of recyclables were collected in 2019, representing a 57.3% recycling rate.| keikona / Shutterstock

Stewardship Ontario, which helps fund that province’s residential recycling program, reported a lower recycling rate for 2019 than the year before. Less newsprint entering the recycling stream drove the decrease.

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