Republic Services is among the haulers that experienced year-over-year decreases in first-quarter recycling revenues. | Rosamar/Shutterstock
Two years after China’s imports ban upended material flows, recycling revenues are still falling for the largest waste and recycling companies in North America.
California cities of 50,000 residents or more are seeing inbound contamination rates between 8% and 46%, with an average of 20%. | Oksana Shturo/Shutterstock
According to a study from The Recycling Partnership, large and mid-sized cities in California see an average contamination rate of around 20%, a finding that underscores the complications of aligning enthusiastic residents with local-program realities.
Officials in Philadelphia are prioritizing recycling as an essential service. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock
Pandemic-prompted lockdowns have crippled tax revenues nationwide, sending municipal leaders scrambling to patch gaping budget holes. In many cases, recycling programs have been affected.
An industry analyst recently noted that low virgin resin pricing means challenges for ensuring end users choose to use recycled plastic. | batuhan taskinkaya/Shutterstock
The coronavirus pandemic has piled on top of existing plastics recycling market strife to cause pricing fluctuations and create uncertainty about how end users will meet their sustainability commitments.
Figures show New York City saw an uptick in collected residential material in March compared with a year earlier. | Felix Lipov/Shutterstock
Recycling programs are reporting greater residential recycling generation in March, concurrent with stay-at-home orders issued nationwide. Stakeholders involved with local programs are also noting the shift away from commercial generation may carry major financial implications. Continue Reading
The $349 billion in initial funding for the Paycheck Protection Program ran out within two weeks. | NIKCOA/Shutterstock
Recycling companies across the country are applying to a federal assistance program to help them overcome cash-flow problems sparked by the coronavirus. Some have been successful, but others are running into banking complexities and tapped-out funding.
California will fall short of its 75% recycling rate goal for 2020, state officials acknowledged in a recent report. | Johnny Habell/Shutterstock
California and Oregon recently reported lower statewide diversion rates, a trend that’s been ongoing for multiple years in both states.
Residential recyclable materials have become an increasingly important feedstock for manufacturers since the coronavirus outbreak. | RawPixel.com/Shutterstock
As the coronavirus impacts continue throughout the U.S., manufacturers are highlighting the importance of curbside recycling as a feedstock supply channel. Meanwhile, processors are seeing changes in demand for their material as consumer spending shifts.
The Continuous Improvement Fund recently released a guide to help recycling managers create contingency plans. | smolaw/Shutterstock
The coronavirus pandemic has made clear the importance of having a contingency plan when the unexpected strikes recycling programs. A new tool helps municipalities develop such guidance.
California’s glass bottle and fiberglass insulation manufacturers continue to use less recycled cullet in their products, state documents show.