California is in the process of implementing a state law that defines which materials are considered truly recyclable. | Brandon Bourdages/Shutterstock
California regulators released a preliminary report on which commodities the state might consider recyclable, with promising results for many materials but a handful of low scores that drew criticism from manufacturers and others earlier this month. Continue Reading
OCC prices increased for the 14th consecutive month in February, reaching a high they haven’t hit since summer 2022. Prices for other curbside fiber and plastic grades also either increased or remained steady. Continue Reading
The U.S. exported 14.3 million short tons of recovered fiber in 2023, down 17% from 2022. | Nickpeps/Shutterstock
U.S. recovered paper exports in 2023 reached a 19-year low, driven by major multi-year declines in shipments into key overseas markets. Recovered plastic exports dropped slightly year over year, bringing a record low for another consecutive year. Continue Reading
Georgia-based glass container manufacturer Arglass recently announced plans to build its own on-site glass recycling facility to meet its post-consumer cullet needs. | Pjhpix/Shutterstock
One of the country’s newest glass container manufacturers is building its own glass recycling plant to incorporate post-consumer cullet into its new bottles and jars for the first time, a company official said last week. Continue Reading
Two producer responsibility organizations have changed their focuses recently. | ESB Professional/Shutterstock
Producer responsibility organization GreenDot has ceased operating in North America, citing a strategic alignment to focus on more mature regulatory markets. Continue Reading
A bill introduced in New York seeks to close loopholes in an existing right-to-repair electronics law. | Real Window/Shutterstock
The first U.S. state to pass a right-to-repair law covering electronics could also be the first state to amend such a law. Continue Reading
The $150 million price tag on the new Lane County, Oregon, facility will be footed by Bulk Handling Systems and the county. | Courtesy of Bulk Handling Systems
An upcoming facility in Lane County, Oregon, will process mixed waste, commingled recyclables and organics and is projected to boost the county’s diversion rate by as much as 20 percentage points. Continue Reading
BinIt’s Visia system can combine cameras, X-rays and artificial intelligence to spot batteries hidden under or inside recyclable material streams. | Courtesy of BinIT
A young technology company’s imaging system combines cameras, X-rays and artificial intelligence to allow recycling facility operators to peer into their waste streams and remove the hidden menace of lithium-ion batteries and other hazards, the company’s CEO said in a recent interview. Continue Reading
Experts noted that lower OCC generation and higher demand is driving up recycled fiber prices. | Trainman111/Shutterstock
Containerboard, cartonboard and tissue markets appear primed for growth in the years ahead, experts say. That spells good news for recycled paper prices, which have been on a slow climb over the last half year. Continue Reading
Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Organization Circular Action Alliance released a needs assessment that lays out accepted recyclable lists, models the effects of several improvement scenarios and evaluates access to services and costs. | Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock
In another step toward implementation of extended producer responsibility for packaging, Colorado regulators published a report laying out which materials would be covered and exploring different options for how the program could operate. Continue Reading