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Brands upped recycled and virgin resin usage

Published: November 6, 2023
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Row of Pepsi bottles on a supermarket shelf.

A report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation reveals that major brand owners and retailers increased their use of post-consumer resin (PCR) from 10.0% in 2021 to 11.7% in 2022. One of the largest, PepsiCo, increased from 6.3% PCR to 7.3%. | pixinoo/Shutterstock

The fifth report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation found that a few big-name brands’ increased use of virgin plastic has been offsetting the overall reduction achieved by the rest of the reporting companies.  Continue Reading

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Report: Paper cup acceptance low despite mill capacity

Published: November 6, 2023
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Colorful paper coffee cups on a gray background.

Closed Loop Partners suggested that more MRFs explore collecting paper cups. | NatalyaBond/Shutterstock

A report from Closed Loop Partners found that only about 11% of U.S. communities accept paper cups in their recycling operations, despite paper mills’ more widespread acceptance of cups in bales.  Continue Reading

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Editor’s farewell: Gratitude for a decade of sector connection

Published: October 30, 2023
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Dan Leif, the outgoing editorial director of Resource Recycling, on a facility tour earlier this year. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling

I’ve always encouraged our editorial team to get straight to the point, so I will do that here: After more than 10 years at Resource Recycling, I am off to explore new endeavors. My tenure with the company ends this Friday. Continue Reading

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REMADE Institute awards millions in R&D funding

Published: October 23, 2023
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 Virginia Tech is the recipient of a REMADE Institute grant that will support a contamination removal technology for paper recycling. | Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock

A federally backed research institute has awarded nearly $10 million to projects supporting remanufacturing and recycling, with particularly heavy sums focused on plastics.  Continue Reading

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The Recycling Partnership offers municipal solutions hub

Published: October 23, 2023
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Waste and recycling bins on a residential street.

The Recycling Program Solutions Hub is intended to provide up-to-date information on local recycling programs. | Johnny Habell/Shutterstock

Circularity-focused NGO The Recycling Partnership has launched a free resource to help local recycling center staff improve their operations.  Continue Reading

Paper giant closes Texas containerboard mill

Published: October 23, 2023
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The exterior of one of International Paper’s facilities. | Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock

International Paper will close its Orange, Texas containerboard mill, which uses post-consumer fiber. The decision is part of a reduction in production capacity in response to market conditions.  Continue Reading

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AI migrates from sortation to collection

Published: October 16, 2023
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Mixed recyclables arranged around a recycle symbol.

Companies such as Prairie Robotics and AMCS Group are leveraging AI to craft more robust analytics, all the way down to the individual household level. | 9dream Studio/Shutterstock

Artificial intelligence is now well established in MRFs as a tool for sorting material and dramatically reducing contamination. Now, multiple companies are taking AI to an earlier stage of the recycling process by mounting cameras on collection trucks.  Continue Reading

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