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The latest recycling industry news

Recycling facility fires expected to reach new high
Across North America, recycling and waste management facilities are experiencing an increase in reported fires, with 2025 predicted to reach a new annual high. A recent special report by Fire Rover highlights this trend, attributing the record-high reported numbers and escalating financial risks to factors such as lithium-ion batteries, escalating demands from insurers and inadequate control measures.
Canadian waste services must report plastic quantity
Speakers from Coastal Waste Management Association discussed the new reporting responsibilities for Canadian waste service providers, including recyclers, for the Federal Plastics Registry during a recent webinar.
Associations update bale specs for fiber, plastics
The Association of Plastic Recyclers and the Recycled Materials Association have updated specifications for post-consumer plastic bales, following a collaborative development process between the two organizations.
Fiber sector adapts to tariffs, cost swings
Several U.S. paper and packaging companies moved to reshape operations as they reported second-quarter results amid market softness, cost pressures and shifting demand.
Top stories from July 2025
The latest draft of an extended producer responsibility for packaging program in Colorado drew reader attention last month, as did stories covering recycled material trade disruptions, producer responsibility for textiles, the latest bale pricing and a roundup of container deposit legislative activity.
Major glass end user shuts down Oregon bottling plant
A Portland, Oregon glass bottling operation that uses high levels of recycled glass cullet will shut down as part of owner O-I’s wider move to reduce costs and consolidate capacity. It comes after a few years of starts and stops at the plant due to regulations and demand.
Haulers feel effects of lower recycled commodity prices
Soft recycled commodity prices cut into quarterly revenues for major waste haulers, and informed lower expectations for full-year average commodity values, amid the counter forces of mostly weak demand and increasing processing capacity.