The U.S. scrap recycling industry reaches $117 billion in annual economic impact, and recycling-related legislation passes a key hurdle.
The U.S. scrap recycling industry reaches $117 billion in annual economic impact, and recycling-related legislation passes a key hurdle.
Market recovery is on display in a Colorado city, and a recycled-content manufacturer pledges major investments in the U.S.
According to the European Commission, an estimated 100 billion plastic carrier bags are used in the European Union every year – an average of almost 200 bags per capita. Around 90 percent of these are lightweight bags (thinner than 0.05 millimeters), and most are used only once before being thrown away.
Starting in October, shoppers in America’s largest city will be charged a nickel for each paper or plastic bag they are given at checkout.
A statewide ban on local bag bans is close to becoming law in Michigan. Senate Bill 853 prohibits local governments from banning plastic shopping bags or mandating fees for them. The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Bob Gedert, National Recycling Coalition
In President Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, EPA funding is cut by one-third. This would result in the elimination of over 50 programs, including the Sustainable Materials Management program and the Waste Reduction Model.
Ontario lawmakers last week passed a bill mandating producers to pay the full costs of recycling printed paper and packaging. However, many specifics of the recovery system, which will target a wide range of plastic products, have yet to be determined.
Brand owners will have to cut bigger checks over the next year to support curbside recycling in Canada’s most populous province.
In its first full year of operation, British Columbia’s printed paper and packaging recycling program notched a 77 percent recovery rate, beating the target set by the government.
Recycling organizations will try to sell Congress on the economic and environmental benefits of the U.S. EPA’s Waste Minimization and Recycling program, which is cut in President Trump’s proposed budget.