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Kentucky Recycling Coalition takes shape

Published: April 22, 2025
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The newly formed Kentucky Recycling Coalition plans to start a summit, do a membership drive and ultimately improve recycling access across the state. | Aspen Rock/Shutterstock

After several years of work, Kentucky is no longer the only state in its region without a state recycling organization. The new Kentucky Recycling Coalition wants to increase access, update a statewide sustainability plan and build up membership. Continue Reading

Washington is seventh state to act on packaging EPR

Published: April 23, 2025
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Flags of Washington state and the United States flying against clouds and blue sky.

The legislation is intended to increase access to recycling, as only 58% of jurisdictions in the state provide access to curbside recycling. | Jeffrey-B.-Banke/Shutterstock

Just a week after Maryland became state No. 6 to approve a bill on extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, Washington made No. 7.

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Partnership provides point-of-sale repair info

Published: April 22, 2025
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Back Market and iFixit announced a broad partnership that will see each integrate the other’s product offerings, as well as direct advocacy on right-to-repair legislation. | Courtesy of Back Market

Two big names in the electronics repair and refurbishment space are partnering up to influence consumer and manufacturer behavior and create a world where circularity is the default.  Continue Reading

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Plastic procurement tactics adapt to supply realities

Published: April 22, 2025
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Crystal Bayliss of the U.S. Plastics Pact emphasized that procurement involves far more than just haggling prices, a sentiment echoed by an Orbis executive. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling

With post-consumer plastic resin requirements increasing rapidly, companies throughout plastics value chains face similar challenges in controlling feedstock supply, scaling up supply and managing capital costs. This sentiment was clear during a Plastics Recycling Conference session as well as a recent industry interview. Continue Reading

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Rhode Island lawmakers introduce bottle bill, EPR

Published: April 22, 2025
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The proposed legislation would implement a deposit return system for beverage bottles and establish an EPR program for packaging. | Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock

Legislators in Rhode Island have introduced bills to create a bottle bill for the state as well as an extended producer responsibility program for packaging.  Continue Reading

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Tariff whirlwind continues with delays, retaliation

Published: April 15, 2025
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Smartphones and laptops are exempt from U.S. tariffs targeting Chinese imports, but other goods are currently subject to 145% in duties. | Metamorworks/Shutterstock

Country-specific reciprocal tariffs have been pushed out until July, but a universal base rate tariff rolled out last week, which covers all countries, and earlier metals tariffs remain in effect. Meanwhile, an all-out trade war between the U.S. and China is intensifying. Continue Reading

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Federal funding cuts hit plastic recycling projects

Published: April 15, 2025
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International Recycling Group plant rendering.

A proposed International Recycling Group facility in Pennsylvania, seen here in a 2021 rendering, has been canceled concurrent with the project’s loss of federal funding. | Courtesy of International Recycling Group

Dramatic federal funding cuts have affected at least two plastics recycling efforts, contributing to a major project being canceled in Pennsylvania and forcing an accelerated timeline for self-sufficiency at an Alaska composite lumber operation. Continue Reading

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Walmart, Berry keep working toward 2025 plastics goals

Published: April 15, 2025
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Walmart logo on shopping cart in store.

With its latest sustainability report, Walmart became the latest mega-brand to announce it was unlikely to meet its voluntary commitments for plastics. | Harun Ozmen/Shutterstock

With the arrival of the benchmark year of 2025, two industry giants announced challenges and progress in meeting the ambitious plastics-related goals set for this year. Continue Reading

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