Author Archives: Editorial Staff

US paper recycling rate slips while mills expand use
Collection, Organics
Rigids drop again; paper, film, cans edge lower
Prices for PET, HDPE and PP bales saw significant drops again this month, with paper grades, plastic film and UBCs also marginally lower.
Plastics treaty talks collapse, exposing divides
After nearly two weeks of tense negotiations, the world’s attempt to forge the first legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution collapsed in Geneva, leaving delegates exhausted, civil groups dismayed and the path forward uncertain.
Recycling facility fires expected to reach new high
Across North America, recycling and waste management facilities are experiencing an increase in reported fires, with 2025 predicted to reach a new annual high. A recent special report by Fire Rover highlights this trend, attributing the record-high reported numbers and escalating financial risks to factors such as lithium-ion batteries, escalating demands from insurers and inadequate control measures.
Canadian waste services must report plastic quantity
Speakers from Coastal Waste Management Association discussed the new reporting responsibilities for Canadian waste service providers, including recyclers, for the Federal Plastics Registry during a recent webinar.
Associations update bale specs for fiber, plastics
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.
Fiber sector adapts to tariffs, cost swings
Several U.S. paper and packaging companies moved to reshape operations as they reported second-quarter results amid market softness, cost pressures and shifting demand.