A European analysis shows 9 million metric tons of discarded plastic was collected for sorting, out of 30 million produced in 2021. | Muhammad Azman/Shutterstock
European plastic recyclers are struggling to get enough material, even as exports of plastics decline and values rise.
A recycling facility in West Babylon, N.Y. installed a large optical sorter that has increased OCC throughput and quality. | Courtesy of Van Dyk
Several materials recovery facilities across North America and the U.K. recently announced upgrades or other major projects. The initiatives include optical sorter installations targeting fiber and plastic, advanced artificial intelligence plans and more.
About 40% of the feedstock consumed by Constellium last year was scrap material. | pim pic/Shutterstock
Global aluminum manufacturer Constellium, which operates a large recycling site in Alabama, says it boosted the amount of production scrap it recycled last year.
There are now only a few types of scrap plastic shipments not subject to the new Basel criteria. | Go_Legacy/Shutterstock
Experts with the U.S. EPA say there are a number of potential outcomes from upcoming shifts in global rules governing scrap plastic shipments. Under one possibility, trade in scrap plastic will no longer be allowed between the U.S. and most other countries.
Research scientists focused on the formation of micro-crystals when molten alloys under a magnetic field cool down. | Darrenp/Shutterstock
University research in the U.K. could lead to technologies for boosting the quality of recycled aluminum.
A new effort plans to increase the glass collection rate in the EU from its current 76% to 90% by 2030. | SYDOROVA OLEKSANDRA/Shutterstock
Brands, recycling firms and others have pledged to significantly boost collection of glass in Europe over the coming decade, and product stewardship will be part of the strategy.
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One publication examines what a “Brexit” could mean for waste diversion efforts in the U.K., and Unifi expands global distributions of its recycled-content fiber.
Prince Charles promotes bathroom recycling bins, and a town in Eastern Europe accepts recyclable materials in lieu of utility payments.
Food waste has become an increasingly hot topic in recent months and for good reason. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about one-third of all food produced in the world for human consumption – approximately 1.3 billion metric tons – ends up as waste each year.
A story about rising commodity prices drew our readers’ attention last month. And so did Waste Management’s take on the ups and downs of recycling markets.