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Resource Recycling keeps you on top of critical industry trends and brings unparalleled analysis of the evolving materials stream, market turbulence, policy trends and more.

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Senators press industry on plastic waste impacts

Published: December 16, 2022
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Senate hearing room.

The Dec. 15 hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works brought four panelists together to answer questions from legislators. | Katherine Welles/Shutterstock

During a two-hour hearing, U.S. senators questioned industry experts about chemicals in plastics, marine plastic pollution and extended producer responsibility. 

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Study: Recycling accounts for tiny share of plastic’s total GHGs

Published: December 12, 2022
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Plastic bottles at a production plant.

The REMADE Institute-funded research found that, over the course of their full life cycles, several common polymers account for about 1.5% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. | rochariberio/Shuttestock

By the time plastic products reach their end of life, the bulk of their climate damage has already been done, according to a study that reaffirms greenhouse gasses tied to plastics are mostly generated in prime resin production, shipping and molding. 

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Michigan’s bill package bolsters recycling baseline

Published: December 12, 2022
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Michigan's capitol building with trees and sky.

The Michigan Legislature last week passed a package of eight bills designed to update the state’s solid waste law. | Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock

A series of policy-focused bills passed by Michigan lawmakers may not include the spice of EPR, but their meat-and-potatoes approach of ensuring residents have a minimum level of recycling service may prove a big boost to the recycling industry. 

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Largest commingled MRF in North America adds robots

Published: December 6, 2022
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EverestLabs robots at work sorting material at the Sims Sunset Park MRF.

Two EverestLabs robots pick out material on the Sunset Park MRF’s last-chance line. | Courtesy of EverestLabs

Sims Municipal Recycling installed four EverestLabs robots in its New York City MRF and plans to add up to four more in 2023, bringing the facility into the AI age. 

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MRFs move ahead with multi-million-dollar upgrades

Published: December 5, 2022
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Charlotte, N.C. skyline seen in distance above trees.

Van Dyk Recycling Solutions was selected by Mecklenburg County, N.C. to rebuild a publicly owned MRF that sorts and sells recyclables from Charlotte and surrounding communities. | CLS Digital Arts/Shutterstock

On either side of the country, major recycling players are investing big money into significant improvements to their facilities.

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Shared database vital for better recycling

Published: December 5, 2022
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MRF Interior with equipment.

The Sightline database currently has over 5 million data points across the U.S., representing all 50 states, over 3,000 counties and 14,000 disposal and recovery facilities. | Resource Recycling file photo

With new state laws requiring more and more reporting of waste generation and diversion data, the Re-TRAC team launched a detailed database to improve efficiency and information sharing. 

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Suit targets Closed Loop e-scrap suppliers in Arizona

Published: December 5, 2022
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Aerial view of Closed Loop Phoenix site.

Closed Loop began leasing the Phoenix facilities in 2010, and when it failed in early 2016, it left a combined 106 million pounds of cathode-ray tube materials on both properties (59th Ave. property pictured). | Courtesy of Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions/ADEQ

Owners of Phoenix warehouses filed a federal lawsuit against electronic scrap companies that shipped cathode-ray tube materials to Closed Loop Refining and Recovery, and already two defendants have agreed to pay out roughly $1 million each. 

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