U.S. recovered plastic exports during the first quarter were down by nearly half from a year ago. Paper shipments remained stronger due to ongoing Chinese demand and growing alternative markets.
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U.S. recovered plastic exports during the first quarter were down by nearly half from a year ago. Paper shipments remained stronger due to ongoing Chinese demand and growing alternative markets.
Recovered fiber end users continue to experience impacts from fluctuating recycling markets, which they discussed in their recent earnings calls. Stakeholders also speculated on the future of fiber exports to Asia.
Consumption of U.S. recovered fiber versus overall finished paper products sold into the market hit a record high percentage in 2018. An industry group explained the increase, which came amid market challenges.
The move last week by 187 governments to alter a global waste treaty will mean further uncertainty for U.S. scrap plastic exports.
Federal legislation proposed in Canada requires consumer packaging to be made from a short list of recyclable materials. The guidelines allow only the most common recyclables, including just two plastic resins.
Louie Pellegrini
Programs on opposite coasts enjoyed bale quality benefits after switching from single- to dual-stream collection, two experts noted. But an industry group leader suggested education may have been a key driver.
Lower scrap aluminum prices helped improve profitability for aluminum rolling and recycling company Novelis last year.
Already pummeled fiber prices have continued to fall further, with OCC now trading at around $32 per ton.
Over just a few years, robotic sorting has gone from a gee-whiz laboratory curiosity to a key technology in a number of different types of facilities.
Two fiber packaging companies are ramping up production of a recycling-friendly coating for use on foodservice packaging. Commonly used coatings today can inhibit greater container recovery.