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An ambitious recycling policy proposal could go local

Published: August 18, 2020
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Plastic waste collected piled high in a trash bin.

Sen. Tom Udall and Rep. Alan Lowenthal recently outlined how components of their national recycling act might be adapted to fit different states. | DeawSS/Shutterstock

Two members of Congress who have pushed for EPR, a national deposit system and more are now encouraging state and municipal lawmakers to introduce their own versions of the legislation.

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Recycled fiber exports drop 25% in first half of 2020

Published: August 11, 2020
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Cargo ship at port.

The U.S. exported 7.35 million short tons of recovered fiber during the first half of 2020, down 25% year over year. | Halawi/Shutterstock

New trade figures show lower U.S. exports of both recovered paper and plastic from January to June, compared with the same period last year. The decline was largely driven by less material going to China and India.

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Haulers enjoyed second-quarter OCC prices

Published: August 11, 2020
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Republic Services waste container on a city street.

Higher OCC prices during the second quarter helped boost recycling revenues for the largest waste and recycling haulers in North America. | Scott Beck/Resource Recycling, Inc.

For many of the largest garbage and recycling companies in the U.S., recycling proved a bright spot during an otherwise dismal second quarter.

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Demand shift drives $300 million recycled paper mill conversion

Published: August 11, 2020
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Recovered fiber bales at a recycling facility.

A company spokesperson told Resource Recycling that upon conversion the mill will use about 660,000 tons per year of OCC and mixed paper as feedstock. | SocoXbreed/Shutterstock

Paper giant Domtar will convert a printing and writing paper mill to produce recycled packaging using OCC and mixed paper.

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What to expect in domestic recycled paper markets

Published: August 4, 2020
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Paper bales for recycling.

Numerous domestic recycled paper mill investments have been announced in the past two years, suggesting a much stronger domestic market for recycled paper in the years to come. | noomcpk/Shutterstock

Recycled paper mill leaders recently weighed in on the factors behind market shifts, how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting generation and demand, and where markets are headed in the future.

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Saica to use recycled paper at Ohio packaging operation

Published: August 4, 2020
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Fiber for recycling.

A new 350,000-square-foot corrugated manufacturing facility in Ohio will consume recycled paper. | Huguette Roe/Shutterstock

A European corrugated packaging producer will build its first U.S. plant in Ohio, where the company plans to consume more than 66,000 short tons of recovered paper per year.

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How PPP loans helped MRFs across the country

Published: August 4, 2020
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Person in a suit signing a check.

Small Business Administration data shows over 1,100 MRF companies received Paycheck Protection Program loans. | NIKCOA/Shutterstock

MRF operators received tens of millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program funds, recently released data suggests. A few explained just how important the money was to preventing layoffs.

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A local program leader’s long history of crossing racial divides

Published: July 28, 2020
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Harry Hayes

Harry Hayes has been director of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department since 2007. | Photo courtesy of city of Houston 

Harry Hayes’ journey to the top of Houston’s solid waste department in many ways began over 40 years ago, when he confronted fears about being the only Black kid in French class.

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