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Maine stakeholders debate draft recyclable materials list

Published: April 22, 2025
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Maine capitol building in Augusta.

The initial recyclable materials list classifies just under a dozen material types as readily recyclable under Maine’s EPR program, but state representatives emphasized it was a first draft. | KWJPHOTOART/Shutterstock

More than 100 people showed up in-person and virtually to an informal stakeholder meeting on Maine’s draft material types list for the state’s extended producer responsibility program for packaging.   Continue Reading

Seattle MRF rolls out robotic sorting and AI analytics

Published: April 29, 2025
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A Glacier robot positioned on the sorting line at Seattle’s King County MRF. | Photo by Colin Staub

A Seattle-area sorting facility operated by Recology has installed imaging and sorting equipment supplied by Glacier, adding another major MRF to the company’s two-dozen customers. Glacier also announced it has raised additional capital that CEO Rebecca Hu-Thrams said will help the company grow further and faster. Continue Reading

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CAA proposes tweaks to handle SB 54 delays

Published: April 29, 2025
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Among other changes, Circular Action Alliance proposed cutting down their time period to review comments on the plan from regulators to 60 days, freeing up three months. | Brandon Bourdages/Shutterstock

The Circular Action Alliance is asking for several changes to extended producer responsibility deadlines in response to the delayed rulemaking on SB 54.  Continue Reading

MRF updates: An opening in NJ and a closure in MO

Published: April 29, 2025
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Interstate Waste Services’ new facility has an annual capacity of 215,000 tons, the company said. | Courtesy of Machinex

Two U.S. MRFs have been on opposite ends of good and bad fortune this month, with a new $30 million facility opening in North Arlington, New Jersey, two days after a 23-year-old MRF was destroyed by a tornado in Columbia, Missouri.  Continue Reading

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Kentucky Recycling Coalition takes shape

Published: April 22, 2025
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The newly formed Kentucky Recycling Coalition plans to start a summit, do a membership drive and ultimately improve recycling access across the state. | Aspen Rock/Shutterstock

After several years of work, Kentucky is no longer the only state in its region without a state recycling organization. The new Kentucky Recycling Coalition wants to increase access, update a statewide sustainability plan and build up membership. Continue Reading

Rhode Island lawmakers introduce bottle bill, EPR

Published: April 22, 2025
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The proposed legislation would implement a deposit return system for beverage bottles and establish an EPR program for packaging. | Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock

Legislators in Rhode Island have introduced bills to create a bottle bill for the state as well as an extended producer responsibility program for packaging.  Continue Reading

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Tariff whirlwind continues with delays, retaliation

Published: April 15, 2025
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Smartphones and laptops are exempt from U.S. tariffs targeting Chinese imports, but other goods are currently subject to 145% in duties. | Metamorworks/Shutterstock

Country-specific reciprocal tariffs have been pushed out until July, but a universal base rate tariff rolled out last week, which covers all countries, and earlier metals tariffs remain in effect. Meanwhile, an all-out trade war between the U.S. and China is intensifying. Continue Reading

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CA compostable labeling deadline worries producers

Published: April 15, 2025
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California's state capitol building seen with blue sky above.

Allowable inputs for organic agriculture are set at the federal level and haven’t been updated for decades. | Jonathan Lenz/Shutterstock

A deadline coming up in a California labeling bill is causing concern among some manufacturers of compostable products, who say it could threaten the wider U.S. and global compostable packaging industry. Continue Reading