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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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Oregon deposit return rate increased in 2019

Published: August 18, 2020
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Empty plastic bottles for recycling.

By material type, the percentage of plastic containers redeemed through the Oregon deposit program increased more than other materials in 2019. | Picsfive/Shutterstock

Consumers in Oregon last year returned 86% of all beverage containers covered under the state’s container deposit program, according to newly released figures.

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With WCA deal, GFL to acquire additional MRFs

Published: August 18, 2020
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GFL truck collecting material from bins.

GFL is the fourth-largest publicly traded residential waste and recyclables hauler in North America, when measured by total revenue. | Advantage Photography/Shutterstock

Materials recovery facilities in Missouri and Texas will change hands as part of GFL Environmental’s acquisition of WCA Waste Corporation.

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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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Startup leverages cryptocurrency to push plastics recovery

Published: August 11, 2020
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A phone with the ZeLoop app on screen.

Users of the ZeLoop app will receive cryptocurrency for bringing materials to recycling collection sites. | Courtesy of ZeLoop.

A mobile app in beta testing seeks to reward users for properly recycling materials at drop-off locations. The company says an exchange of currency is vital to the process.

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