Back to Top

Author Archives: Colin Staub

About Colin Staub

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

Brand owner invests $30 million to bolster plastics recycling

Published: September 15, 2020
Updated:

by
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.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

China ban spurs rise in plastic waste ‘criminal trends’

Published: September 9, 2020
Updated:

by
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.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , , |

Expansive plastic waste bill fails again

Published: September 9, 2020
Updated:

by
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.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , , |

Recycled fiber end users put new focus on residential stream

Published: September 1, 2020
Updated:

by
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.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged |

How programs in NY, Texas and Colorado are handling COVID-19

Published: August 25, 2020
Updated:

by
A row of blue recycling bins in front of a brick wall.

Three recycling program leaders from across the U.S. said that education and outreach efforts have seen budget cuts due to the pandemic. | Stephen Griffin/Shutterstock

Leaders from three municipal recycling programs of varying size, including the largest city in the U.S., say they are grappling with budget issues and making alterations to collection service as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged |

Shipping shakeup continues as China’s extended ban nears

Published: August 25, 2020
Updated:

by
Cargo ship on the water.

Despite the upcoming ban, the Chinese government continues to approve permits for more recovered paper to enter the country. | hxdbzxy/Shutterstock

Another major container ship operator says it’s ending scrap shipments to China as that country prepares to widen its prohibition on imports of recovered material. Meanwhile, insurance providers recently analyzed the Chinese policy and its ramifications for shipping lines.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , , |

An ambitious recycling policy proposal could go local

Published: August 18, 2020
Updated:

by
Plastic waste collected piled high in a trash bin.

Sen. Tom Udall and Rep. Alan Lowenthal recently outlined how components of their national recycling act might be adapted to fit different states. | DeawSS/Shutterstock

Two members of Congress who have pushed for EPR, a national deposit system and more are now encouraging state and municipal lawmakers to introduce their own versions of the legislation.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , |

Oregon deposit return rate increased in 2019

Published: August 18, 2020
Updated:

by
Empty plastic bottles for recycling.

By material type, the percentage of plastic containers redeemed through the Oregon deposit program increased more than other materials in 2019. | Picsfive/Shutterstock

Consumers in Oregon last year returned 86% of all beverage containers covered under the state’s container deposit program, according to newly released figures.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged |