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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].

‘Anomaly’ year brings recycled PET market twists

Published: January 12, 2021
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Closeup of empty PET bottles.

COVID-19 and pricing pressure led companies to seek other supply lines for PET feedstock. | Pixel B/Shutterstock

A confluence of recycled PET market disruptions in 2020 included low prime plastic pricing and supply challenges that led end users to seek feedstock from other sources. Still, experts maintain a surge of RPET demand is fast approaching.

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Lawsuit takes aim at Walmart’s plastic recycling labels

Published: December 15, 2020
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Greenpeace sign on a brick building exterior.

A lawsuit from Greenpeace seeks to force Walmart to change its labeling and conduct a “corrective” advertising campaign. | nitpicker/Shutterstock

Environmental activist group Greenpeace this week accused Walmart of falsely labeling items as recyclable and asked a California court to compel the retailer to stop making the claims.

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Groups question US-Canada Basel arrangement

Published: December 15, 2020
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Cargo shipping containers.

Because the U.S. is not a party to the Basel Convention, exports to the 180-plus countries that are parties to the convention will be more complicated, or may even be prohibited by local laws. | AnkaFed/Shutterstock

The U.S. government has made public an agreement with Canada to continue scrap plastic shipments despite global regulations tightening next year. Environmental advocates are troubled by the deal.

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Reusable packaging platform draws millions

Published: December 15, 2020
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A table with samples of reusable packaging in the Loop platform.

Since its launch in May 2019, Loop has attracted more than 100 brands, and its durable packaging is used in some 400 products. | Courtesy of Loop.

Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and other investors have put $25 million behind Loop, a packaging reuse model that launched last year.

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Recycling facilities receive $2 million to boost PP recovery

Published: December 8, 2020
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A conveyor belt carries materials inside a MRF.

Through the new grants, The Recycling Partnership estimates curbside PP recycling will become available to an additional 4 million people nationwide. | RYosha/Shutterstock

Four MRFs in the eastern half of the U.S. will begin sorting polypropylene with financial assistance from major brands, retailers and other industry members brought together through The Recycling Partnership.

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China confirms expanded import ban starting Jan. 1

Published: December 1, 2020
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Chinese flag with the Yangtze River in background.

The Chinese government has been enacting restrictions over the past few years, with a full ban coming into effect Jan. 1, 2021. | Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock

The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment last week announced details about the country’s upcoming ban on all materials it classifies as “solid waste,” including recovered fiber.

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Here are the details on recycling exports in the third quarter

Published: December 1, 2020
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OCC bales for recycling on a truck bed.

China remains the largest buyer of U.S. fiber, importing 1.86 million short tons during the third quarter. | F Armstrong Photography/Shutterstock

Paper and plastic exports continue to trend lower than in previous years, even as shipments increase to certain countries, recent figures show.

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