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Tag Archives: plastics

Google explores how to capture 4.5 billion tons of plastic

Published: August 24, 2021
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Stacked bales of mixed plastics.

Google’s report noted headwinds to plastics recovery including unfavorable economics for recycled resins compared with virgin resins. | maciej nicgorski / Shutterstock

A report from Google lays out how mechanical and chemical recycling, a virgin plastic production tax, consumer incentives and more can increase plastics recovery over the next two decades.

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Brands invest in Ohio plastics recycling operation

Published: August 24, 2021
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Business handshake with documents on conference table.

The American Beverage Association, Ohio Beverage Association and investment firm Closed Loop Partners announced their combined $5 million investment in Evergreen’s Ohio expansion. | Takorn / Shutterstock

Beverage giants and an investment firm are putting millions of dollars behind PET reclaimer Evergreen.

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Scrap paper exports jump 21% in first half of year

Published: August 10, 2021
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Stacked cargo shipping containers at port.

Recovered fiber exports jumped from 7.4 million short tons in the first half of 2020 to 9.0 million short tons this year. | Sreytoch Lann / Shutterstock

Recovered fiber exports increased significantly during the first six months of 2021 compared with the same period last year, with a spike in material moving to India and Thailand. Plastic exports were steady year over year.

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Report says plastic drags down municipal recycling systems

Published: August 3, 2021
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Curbside waste and recycling for collection.

A study from GAIA found that, in five selected cities, only 24% of PET, HDPE and PP was getting recycled. | Meg Wallace Photography / Shutterstock

A study published by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives pins low recycling rates in U.S. cities squarely on hard-to-recycle plastics that are collected through curbside programs.

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Plastics recycling startup unveils expansion project

Published: August 3, 2021
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Map showing Augusta, Ga. and surrounding area.

PureCycle Technologies’ initial investment, estimated at $440 million, includes three production lines, each of which can process 130 million pounds of PP scrap per year. | Tudoran Andrei / Shutterstock

A polypropylene recycling startup developing a commercial-scale facility in Ohio announced a deal to build a plant in Georgia.

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Experts provide 30 fixes for California recycling system

Published: July 7, 2021
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View inside a MRF.

The California Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets & Curbside Recycling in late June published an expansive report with recommendations for lawmakers. | Nordroden / Shutterstock

A government-convened commission of California recycling stakeholders has outlined steps to boost markets and cut contamination. But the group’s report also leaves PP plastic off a key initial list of accepted materials, drawing quick pushback from national associations.

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New Jersey lawmakers advance recycled-content mandate

Published: July 7, 2021
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N.J. state capitol.

Legislators in New Jersey approved recycled-content mandates for containers and bags made from several materials. | Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock

A bill establishing minimum post-consumer recycled plastic, glass and paper use in containers and bags was approved by the New Jersey Senate last month.

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Report estimates drop in plastic recycled in 2019

Published: June 22, 2021
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PET bottles collected for recycling.

Data shows that the U.S. PET bottle recycling rate in 2019 was 27.9%, down from 29.0% in 2018. | TeuNg-StyLe / Shutterstock

Slightly less scrap plastic from the U.S. was recycled in 2019 than the year prior. The data comes as brand owners signal greater demand for recycled resins.

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