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EPR advocates savor the moment as concerns remain

Published: June 10, 2025
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Around 200 regulators, extended producer responsibility advocates, manufacturers and others gathered at the 2025 Product Stewardship Forum to talk about EPR. | Dan Holtmeyer/Resource Recycling

Extended producer responsibility policies for all sorts of materials — packaging, paint, batteries, vapes — are riding a wave of momentum across the U.S. and are poised to continue expanding to more states, several industry leaders said at the 2025 Product Stewardship Forum outside of Chicago last week.  Continue Reading

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Facing increasing volumes, Ridwell tweaks textile recycling

Published: June 3, 2025
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Ridwell is now asking customers to separate textiles into two streams: re-wearable and recyclable. | Photo Courtesy of Ridwell

After years of collecting textiles from households, Ridwell is now asking customers to self-sort the items into re-wearable and recyclable categories, in response to growing volumes and feedback from end markets.  Continue Reading

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Oregon bottle bill to allow ‘alternative’ return centers

Published: June 3, 2025
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Bottle return at a reverse vending machine.

Oregon’s bottle bill, the oldest in the nation, could see some changes. | Veja/Shutterstock

Oregon state lawmakers recently approved a bill that allows the state to designate new redemption centers in Portland tailored toward canners — people who redeem containers on a daily or near-daily basis — and to allow retailers operating nearby to provide fewer redemption services. Continue Reading

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Pepsi reduces, extends global recycled resin goal

Published: June 3, 2025
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PepsiCo will now shoot for 40% global recycled plastic use by 2035, instead of 50% by 2030. | FotograFFF/Shutterstock

Citing factors outside the company’s control, brand giant PepsiCo has softened its global post-consumer recycled content target and given itself more time to achieve the goal. Continue Reading

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Top stories from May 2025

Published: June 3, 2025
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LookerStudio/Shutterstock

Facility closures by Smurfit Westrock drew substantial reader interest last month, alongside stories covering state extended producer responsibility policies and a glass collection pilot project in California.

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In Brightmark bankruptcy, parent firm wins auction bid

Published: June 3, 2025
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A judge favored Brightmark’s parent company over a slightly higher bid, preferring Brightmark’s plan to keep the facility operating over the competing bid’s liquidation plan. | Photo courtesy of Brightmark

Brightmark’s bankrupt Indiana pyrolysis facility has been sold to parent company Brightmark for $14.3 million in a move that will keep the facility operating and retain most or all of its more than 100 employees, a judge ruled this month. The latest development came after a competitive auction process with plenty of twists and turns.
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Stakeholders weigh in on SB 54 draft regulations

Published: June 3, 2025
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In March, California Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected SB 54 draft regulations, forcing the rulemaking process to restart. | Brandon Bourdages/Shutterstock

The first public opportunity to comment on California’s latest extended producer responsibility for packaging draft regulations stretched past the allotted time frame, with some speakers saying changes to a chemical recycling regulation section were unlawful.  Continue Reading

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California advisory board examines barriers to EPR

Published: May 30, 2025
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The report touches on five main topics: recyclability of covered materials, compostability of covered materials, reuse and refill and other source reduction systems, cost coverage for local jurisdictions, and plastic leakage into the environment. | Ratchat/Shutterstock

Members of the California extended producer responsibility for packaging advisory board have identified dozens of barriers to implementation and offered up possible solutions in a recent report.

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Women in Circularity: Sue Beets-Atkinson

Published: May 28, 2025
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Sue Beets-Atkinson, global vice president of sustainability at SBM Management Services.

A warm welcome back to “Women in Circularity,” where we shine a light on women moving us toward a circular economy. This month, I was pleased to connect with a leader in zero waste facilities: Sue Beets-Atkinson. Sue is the global vice president of sustainability at SBM Management Services. SBM is a leading global services provider that helps corporations meet their operations-related sustainability goals. Sue has 32 years of experience in business waste minimization.  Continue Reading

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