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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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Residential access to paper recycling stays strong in US

Published: February 1, 2022
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Baled fiber for recycling.

According to AF&PA, in 2021, U.S. mills took in a total of nearly 33 million tons of recovered fiber, the largest amount in over a decade. | noomcpk/Shutterstock

About 94% of U.S. residents had either curbside or drop-off recycling service for at least one type of paper last year, indicating recycling programs largely retained the material despite pandemic pressures.

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Investment moves potential marine debris into global market

Published: February 1, 2022
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A factory team working on the sorting process conveyor in Polindo’s aggregation center. | Courtesy of Circulate Capital

A partnership involving Circulate Capital, Bantam Materials and an Indonesian processor will help to recover PET from remote areas of the Asian nation and deliver it to grocery store shelves in Europe and America.

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Our top stories from January 2022

Published: February 1, 2022
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California and U.S. flags

Readers were drawn to news of the latest data on California’s diversion rate. | 20B.20Banke/Shutterstock

California’s recycling rate, Waste Management’s investment in a roofing board manufacturer, a “problematic” plastics list and more drew our readers’ clicks last month.

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Recycling operators cheer list of problematic plastics

Published: January 25, 2022
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PS foam containers on blue background.

PS packaging made the list of problematic materials.| Minh Mi Goi/Shutterstock

The U.S. Plastics Pact says PS and PVC packaging and other materials should be phased out in coming years. A curbside recycling operator called the potential elimination of PVC and PS packaging “two really big steps in the right direction,” though several groups criticized the Pact’s work.
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Experts discuss trade-offs of recycled-content mandates

Published: January 24, 2022
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Empty PET bottles for recycling.

A recent webinar brought together experts to cover the benefits and complications of recycled-content mandates.| Monticello/Shutterstock

Recycled-content laws are a tool for driving post-consumer resin demand. But what if producers are given too many outs, feedstock is in short supply, or the mandates actually result in greater environmental harm?

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Study: Cart tagging reduces contamination, for a cost

Published: January 24, 2022
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Clackamas Sustainability & Solid Waste Program cart tagging program

Clackamas County, Ore. was one of a number of case studies used to illustrate the data in SWANA’s report. | Clackamas Sustainability & Solid Waste Program/SWANA Report

Leaving “oops” tags on contaminated recycling carts and providing positive feedback to those with clean carts is one of the most effective ways to reduce contamination, though it can be pricey, according to a new report.

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