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Spat continues between Republic and Connecticut officials

Published: December 8, 2020
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Closeup of court gavel.

A judge has ruled that the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) must pay $1.1 million in damages to a subsidiary of Republic Services. | BCFC/Shutterstock

A Connecticut judge last month ordered a public authority to pay Republic Services damages in a MRF operations contract dispute. Soon after, the saga took another turn, with Republic indicating it’s set to bow out of the agreement altogether.

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Recycling facilities receive $2 million to boost PP recovery

Published: December 8, 2020
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A conveyor belt carries materials inside a MRF.

Through the new grants, The Recycling Partnership estimates curbside PP recycling will become available to an additional 4 million people nationwide. | RYosha/Shutterstock

Four MRFs in the eastern half of the U.S. will begin sorting polypropylene with financial assistance from major brands, retailers and other industry members brought together through The Recycling Partnership.

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China confirms expanded import ban starting Jan. 1

Published: December 1, 2020
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Chinese flag with the Yangtze River in background.

The Chinese government has been enacting restrictions over the past few years, with a full ban coming into effect Jan. 1, 2021. | Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock

The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment last week announced details about the country’s upcoming ban on all materials it classifies as “solid waste,” including recovered fiber.

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Here are the details on recycling exports in the third quarter

Published: December 1, 2020
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OCC bales for recycling on a truck bed.

China remains the largest buyer of U.S. fiber, importing 1.86 million short tons during the third quarter. | F Armstrong Photography/Shutterstock

Paper and plastic exports continue to trend lower than in previous years, even as shipments increase to certain countries, recent figures show.

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Roller-coaster ride continues for recycling markets

Published: December 1, 2020
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Curbside waste and recycling bins in Oakville, Ontario.

The average value of a ton of recyclables dropped in the U.S. Northeast and Ontario in the third quarter. | Camillo Clauser/Shutterstock

Average commodity values tumbled by about one-fifth during the third quarter, according to a survey of northeastern U.S. MRFs. A price sheet for Ontario showed the same downward trend.

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China’s 2021 ban ‘will not have massive impact’ on fiber markets

Published: October 20, 2020
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Cargo shipping containers stacked at a logistics hub.

Next year, China is widely expected to close the door completely to recovered fiber imports, a move that has the industry in a cautious state. | BigPixel Photo/Shutterstock

Is the global recycled paper sector prepared for China’s complete exit from the market next year? Experts weighed in during a recent Bureau of International Recycling session.

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EPA: Waste generation far outpaced recycling in 2018

Published: November 16, 2020
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Residential waste and recycling bins on a curb.

Recently released data shows that a major increase in MSW generation outpaced modest recycling progress. | Colleen Michaels/Shutterstock

The U.S. recycling and composting rate took a significant dive in 2018, falling from 35% to 32%, according to new figures from the federal government. The drop was partially due to a change in how the rate was calculated.

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