Back to Top

Category: Top stories

Right-to-repair, bottle bill update pass in California

Published: September 25, 2023
Updated:

by

The Golden State’s right-to-repair bill follows the passage of similar bills in Colorado, Minnesota and New York state. | Andy Smith, Courtesy of CALPIRG

California’s right-to-repair bill for electronics awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, as does a bill that will update and expand the state’s deposit return system.  Continue Reading

Markets sting recycling revenue for WM, others

Published: August 7, 2023
Updated:

by
WM truck on a city street.

North America’s five largest hauling companies all reported year-over-year drops in recycling revenues for the second quarter of 2023. | 2p2play/Shutterstock

Fiber prices are slowly recovering from the rock-bottom values of late last year and early this year, but scrap plastic prices have fallen dramatically in recent months, taking a toll on the largest haulers’ recycling businesses.  Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

UN rolls out initial draft of global plastics treaty

Published: September 11, 2023
Updated:

by

Stakeholders and involved parties will continue to debate the precise language of the agreement. | Nexus 7/Shutterstock

The first working draft of the United Nations’ global plastics agreement lays out the broad strokes of what is intended to be a legally binding way to manage plastic pollution on land and in the oceans. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

WM: Upgrades temporarily slow tons recovered

Published: September 11, 2023
Updated:

by

WM handled less material in 2022 than 2021, but it’s looking to grow its annual tons managed to 25 million by 2030. | Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

The weight of recyclables handled by Waste Management dropped slightly last year, largely because several MRF upgrade projects necessitated temporary shutdowns at four facilities. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

Plastic reclaimers grapple with ‘rock bottom’ pricing

Published: August 28, 2023
Updated:

by

Although depressed plastics prices have caused some companies to revise their earnings projections, many in the sector are optimistic about an upcoming rebound. | Golden Dayz/Shutterstock

This story has been updated.

Recycled plastics prices are at their lowest levels in some time, putting significant strain on material processors. Meanwhile, some resin buyers are abandoning post-consumer resin to purchase virgin plastic instead. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

Oregon again fines glass giant O-I for air pollution

Published: August 28, 2023
Updated:

by

The $213,600 fine marks the 10th time O-I Glass has faced emissions penalties since 2004. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality fined O-I Glass for its air emissions, just a few years after the cullet end user agreed to install more pollution control equipment in a deal with the state over similar violations. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Paper giants foresee continuing rise in OCC prices

Published: August 28, 2023
Updated:

by

OCC heading into a pulping machine at a Pacific Northwest paper mill. Four major recovered fiber companies recently detailed their outlooks for the future of OCC markets. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling

Some of the largest consumers of fiber bales enjoyed low OCC prices during the second quarter, giving them a little margin relief amid an otherwise tough business environment. As the year progresses, they’re expecting to pay more for recovered fiber, however.  Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |