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RecycleDat! targets Mardi Gras for third year

Published: February 25, 2025
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Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the world’s largest parties, drawing 1 million visitors each year. | f11photo/shutterstock

Public events always bring their own challenges to recycling – large numbers of people on the move, visitors from out of town, a constant flow of adult beverages and other distractions, the list goes on. And Mardi Gras in New Orleans, with its 12-day, 24-7 marathon of parades and parties drawing roughly 1 million people every year, may well be king.  Continue Reading

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Mills forecast flat fiber pricing, but tariffs could change that

Published: February 25, 2025
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One end user assumes OCC prices will hover around $100 per ton throughout 2025. | Siwakorn1933/Shutterstock

North American mill operators enjoyed a quarter of lower feedstock costs at the end of 2024 and are anticipating little OCC movement this year. But one operator says tariffs are contributing to so much uncertainty that the company can’t provide a detailed outlook. Continue Reading

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Closed Loop suggests small-format recycling improvements

Published: February 25, 2025
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Billions of small-format plastic items are produced each year but are lost to landfills or incinerators across the board. | Golden Shrimp/Shutterstock

Editor’s note: Learn more about plastic recycling trends and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland.  Continue Reading

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Oregon fully approves first packaging EPR plan

Published: February 25, 2025
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Oregon capitol building with trees in bloom.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced it approved a program plan on Feb. 21. | Yanqiang Dai/Shutterstock

After several years of work, Oregon has approved an extended producer responsibility plan, laying out how packaging producers are expected to fulfill the requirements of the law.   Continue Reading

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Policy Roundup: Batteries, right to repair are hot topics

Published: February 19, 2025
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A pile of iPhone lithium-ion batteries for recycling.

More than 20 bills concerning electronics recycling so far have been introduced in 14 states for the 2025 legislative session. | Parilov/Shutterstock

Legislators have been filing bills as the 2025 session starts up, and in the e-scrap realm, two main topics are again at the forefront: extended producer responsibility for batteries and the right to repair consumer electronics. 

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Metal tariffs bring varied effects for recycling sector

Published: February 19, 2025
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Aluminum cans for recycling.

If domestic aluminum demand rises, used beverage cans could see a jump in commodity value. | Graham Corney/Shutterstock

New tariff actions targeting aluminum and steel imports could have near-term benefits for MRF operators if the actions spur additional demand for domestic-sourced commodities. But it’s the longer-term effects that are more concerning. Continue Reading

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Oregon simplifies EPR exemption process

Published: February 19, 2025
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Plastic pallet wrap is one material that’s eligible for an exemption from the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging program. | St.Marco/Shutterstock

The Product Stewardship Institute and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality explained the different exemptions available to producers under the state’s incoming extended producer responsibility for packaging law in a recent webinar. Continue Reading

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Paper and plastic exports decline again in 2024

Published: February 19, 2025
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Cargo ship on water.

The U.S. exported 13.3 million short tons of recovered fiber throughout the year, down from 14.8 million short tons in 2023. | Magnifier/Shutterstock

Recovered paper exports dropped 11% year-over-year in 2024, and scrap plastic exports fell by about 2%, according to new trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau.  Continue Reading

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Plant closures highlight larger migration

Published: February 19, 2025
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End users of recycled materials across several sectors have announced plans to shut down or relocate facilities of late.  | Worradirek/Shutterstock

The latest earnings calls for recycled paper, glass and plastic end users and processors have brought facility closure and layoff announcements, at times contrasting with recent expansion plans.  Continue Reading

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