Pepsico has a 25% recycled content goal for the company’s plastic packaging. | LuqmanLutfi Photography/Shutterstock
It’s clear the current recycling system can’t deliver sufficient resin for brand owners to hit their increasingly ambitious recycled-content goals. A PepsiCo executive recently discussed that supply gap.
The California Capitol in Sacramento. | trekandshoot/Shutterstock
California lawmakers passed a bill requiring the use of recycled plastic in beverage containers. Separately, they OK’d legislation aimed at easing the use of cullet in bottles.
Avangard Innovative CEO Rick Perez recently shared details on the company’s upcoming expansion. | Anthony Rathbun
Texas-based Avangard Innovative will grow exponentially in 2020, opening three processing sites to recover and pelletize plastic film.
Over the last month, some curbside plastics have seen notable market changes. Meanwhile, prices for paper bales have remained constant, albeit low.
Juri Freeman of Resource Recycling Systems (left) moderated a plastics-focused panel consisting of (from left to right) Michael Sangiacomo of Recology, Zeina El-Azzi of Brightmark Energy, Kate Bailey of Eco-Cycle and Tim Ponrathnam of Berry Global. | Resource Recycling Conference/Brian Adams Photography
Should some types of single-use plastic be banned? Or is infrastructure improvement a better answer to current plastic waste concerns? A varied group of industry leaders tackled those questions last week.
A California PET reclaimer that launched last year has grabbed plenty of attention for its $100 million price tag and the extensive capabilities of its processing and production line.
Indorama Ventures plans to make significant investments in its recycled PET production capabilities. | Kwangmoozaa/Shutterstock
Citing the need to meet rising demand in the near future, plastics producer Indorama is investing $1 billion in its recycling operation.
Coca-Cola has a goal to make its bottles and cans with an average of 50% recycled material by 2030. | Sundry Photography/Shutterstock
Coca-Cola will use recycled PET and plant-derived plastic in a Dasani water bottle, creating a package known as the “HybridBottle.” The move is one of several recycling-related changes being rolled out.
Historically, companies have used post-consumer resin (PCR) because it was a lower cost feedstock than virgin. In recent years, however, pricing for virgin plastic (mostly “wide spec” resin) has fallen below that of PCR (mostly high quality PCR that is suitable for food contact).
