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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].

Recent developments in the composting world

Published: September 29, 2020
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Organics green bin close up.

Communities across Vermont are delving deeper into organics diversion, after a statewide landfill ban on food scraps took effect in July. | Alseenrodelap.nl – Elco/Shutterstock

An industry group released labeling guidelines to keep non-compostable packaging out of the green bin, and New York provided an overview of updates to the state’s food scraps recycling law.

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Scrap paper and plastic markets hit by confluence of forces

Published: September 22, 2020
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According to one analyst, domestic demand for OCC was up about 6% during the first five months of 2020. | digitalreflections/Shutterstock

Supply and demand realities for key curbside materials are evolving fast, impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, domestic processing capacity increases and other key trends, according to two experts. Continue Reading

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Lithium-ion battery recycler to build New York facility

Published: September 22, 2020
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Li-ion batteries collected for recycling

Li-Cycle Incorporated recently announced plans for a Rochester, N.Y. facility capable of processing at least 10 million pounds of lithium-ion batteries per year. | Vietnam stock photos/Shutterstock

Canadian firm Li-Cycle Incorporated, which handles lithium-ion batteries from e-scrap and other sources, is developing a $175 million processing hub in the U.S.

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China and Hong Kong issue new plastic import rules

Published: September 22, 2020
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Officials in both China and Hong Kong have recently signaled stricter controls over the flow of recycled plastics into the region. | Barks/Shutterstock

Recycled plastic pellets are facing greater scrutiny upon import into China, international recycling stakeholders recently reported. Meanwhile, Hong Kong moved to incorporate upcoming global regulatory changes in the plastic waste trade into its domestic legal framework. Continue Reading

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Two paper mills begin accepting plastic-lined cups

Published: September 15, 2020
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Colorful paper coffee cups on a gray background.

Disposable coffee cups like these have a plastic coating that has historically left them out of the recovery and recycling process. | NatalyaBond/Shutterstock

Georgia-Pacific this week said two of its mills are bringing in mixed-paper bales that include single-use cups with a polyethylene barrier layer.

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Brand owner invests $30 million to bolster plastics recycling

Published: September 15, 2020
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Nestle building

Major global food and beverage company Nestlé announced a $30 million investment in the Closed Loop Leadership Fund. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

After announcing a plan early this year to buy a massive volume of recycled resin in the coming years, Nestlé has begun investing in the U.S. to support that goal.

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China ban spurs rise in plastic waste ‘criminal trends’

Published: September 9, 2020
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Plastic waste pile

Interpol found that plastic waste fires, both accidental and deliberate, have increased since Chinese import restrictions took hold. | MOHAMED ABDULRAHEEM/Shutterstock

Improper management of scrap plastics in Southeast Asia and elsewhere has increased sharply in the wake of China’s National Sword policy, according to international law enforcement body Interpol.

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Expansive plastic waste bill fails again

Published: September 9, 2020
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Various single-use plastic packaging on a table.

Senate Bill 54 would have tasked state regulators with developing and adopting rules requiring all single-use packaging and “priority single-use products” sold in California to be recyclable or compostable by 2032. | SerPhoto/Shutterstock

For the second straight year, a California proposal that had broad recyclability goals did not make it through the legislature.

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Recycled fiber end users put new focus on residential stream

Published: September 1, 2020
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Recycling bin full of cardboard boxes.

Greater fiber tonnages are coming in through the residential stream, which typically includes higher numbers of small boxes. | Cari Rubin Photography/Shutterstock

OCC generation has shifted away from the commercial realm amid COVID-19, and tonnages might never go back. A paper association leader described that trend and what it means for the industry’s future.

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