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Major glass end user shuts down Oregon bottling plant

Published: August 5, 2025
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O-I glass cullet for recycling in Portland, Ore.

O-I will close the only bottling plant in Oregon, ending a local end market for recycled cullet. | Photo by Jared Paben

A Portland, Oregon glass bottling operation that uses high levels of recycled glass cullet will shut down as part of owner O-I’s wider move to reduce costs and consolidate capacity. It comes after a few years of starts and stops at the plant due to regulations and demand. Continue Reading

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Haulers feel effects of lower recycled commodity prices

Published: August 5, 2025
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Five publicly traded North American waste haulers decreased expectations for full-year commodity pricing, and gave insights into new and upgraded capacity. | Photo Courtesy of Republic Services

Story Highlights

  • Republic Services nods to future Pennsylvania site
  • Tariffs take a toll
  • Construction sector slowness to continue
  • Canadian EPR provides tailwind for GFL

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Lawsuit takes aim at packaging EPR in Oregon

Published: August 5, 2025
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The State of Oregon seal at a park in Salem, Ore.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors says the state’s newly active packaging EPR law is unfair and ineffective. | JPL Designs/Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: EPR compliance will be featured in sessions at the 2026 Resource Recycling Conference, Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, California.  Continue Reading

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Carton recycling access updated on CalRecycle report

Published: July 29, 2025
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The state’s recycling and waste management agency revised its final findings for SB 343 to reflect data submitted by the Carton Council. | SunnyToys/Shutterstock

California’s recycling and waste management office has updated its report on accurate recycling labels to show an increase in counties served by food and beverage carton recycling and sortation programs, reflecting data provided by the Carton Council of North America. Continue Reading

In Our Opinion: Policy leaders should embrace the Zero Waste Hierarchy

Published: July 29, 2025
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The Zero Waste Hierarchy was recently updated with refined definitions, a new guiding principle and more. | Photo courtesy Zero Waste International Alliance

Waste hierarchies have become essential tools for setting policy direction at every level of government. By clearly communicating which strategies are most environmentally and socially preferable, they help guide decisions on infrastructure investment, program design, and regulatory priorities. Continue Reading

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Nonprofit coalition explores challenges of film plastics

Published: July 29, 2025
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film recycling

In a recent webinar, speakers from the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers explored possible solutions for film recycling. | Happy Stock Photo/Shutterstock

Members of the nonprofit Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers discussed the increasing use of film plastics, and the difficulties in recycling them, in a recent webinar. Continue Reading

WM report suggests 2025 goal is out of reach

Published: July 22, 2025
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The sustainability report for the nation’s largest hauler shows WM has increased recovered materials tonnage by only 5% since 2021, but has a 2025 goal of a 25% increase. | Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

Hauler WM appears unlikely to reach its 2025 interim goal for materials recovered for recycling, despite an increase from the baseline level, according to data from its latest sustainability report.  Continue Reading

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California prepares for textile EPR with public workshop

Published: July 22, 2025
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CalRecycle held a public workshop on California’s textiles EPR law to outline the future of its implementation and allow businesses and industry groups to comment on the effects of the law. | Vejo/Shutterstock

Business owners, potential producer responsibility organizations and industry experts gathered virtually and in person last week to ask California regulators questions about the state’s recently passed textile EPR law and give input on its implementation. Continue Reading

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Closed Loop report shows results of state bag bans

Published: July 22, 2025
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Reusable plastic bags on a table.

Analysis from a Closed Loop consortium studied numerous state-level methods for reducing bag waste and informed considerations for policymakers. | The Image Party/Shutterstock

A new report on state-level single-use bag laws indicates that New Jersey’s ban has had numerous effects, both positive and negative.  Continue Reading

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