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A bill approved by California legislators has substantial implications for how common plastic packaging items are labeled, and it could have significant recycling implications across the nation in the coming years. | Feoktistoff / Shutterstock
Producers would need to meet strict criteria to use the “chasing arrows” symbol on their plastic packaging in California under a bill approved by lawmakers last week. An industry group says the move will harm polypropylene recycling.
Over the last month, all common grades of curbside fiber saw modest pricing gains. But plastic values were mostly flat, and PP dropped over 10%.
Several factors are contributing to price increases within the wider aluminum market. | Darrenp / Shutterstock
A year ago, some aluminum end markets were slowing purchases of the material. But demand has steadily increased throughout 2021, bringing welcome pricing for the municipal recycling sector.
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Sycamore International’s new solar panel array. | Courtesy of Sycamore International.
A longtime recycling expert analyzes census data to help predict future recycling industry trends. | Grzejnik / Shutterstock
The release of the U.S. census for the decade of 2010 to 2020 points to important ways municipal recycling initiatives will change in the coming years. An assessment points to five key trends that will affect materials recovery efforts.
Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature would classify mixed plastics that are generated in California and exported from the U.S. as “disposal” rather than “recycling.” | Sumrit Tesrumphun/Shutterstock
California lawmakers have approved a bill that would no longer allow scrap plastic that is exported to be considered recycled. The legislation now heads to the governor for final consideration.
As of August, OCC averaged $161 across the U.S., up from $57 a year earlier. | sxc839897 / Shutterstock
The value of a blended ton recyclables in the Northeast surged during the second quarter of this year, driven by price increases for many different materials.
In North America, Walmart increased its percentage of PCR in private brand packaging from 7% in 2019 to 9% in 2020. | Anton Gvozdikov / Shutterstock
Walmart has increased the percentage of post-consumer resin used in its private label packaging in North America, but the number is flat globally.