Recycling
The Association of Plastic Recyclers wants to work with the U.S. government to examine whether rising imports of recycled resin are harming the U.S. industry, as some domestic plastic recyclers say they're "really struggling" from imports.
Current plans are to have recycling hubs — each with two separate operations — in four distinct geographic locations around the country, but Republic Services CEO Jon Vander Ark said the potential is to go even further.
Recycled polycarbonate prices have increased slightly in North America in the beginning of 2025.
Steve Alexander, president of the Association of Plastic Recyclers trade group, had some pointed words about the potential dangers of extended producer responsibility regulations.
At the Plastics Recycling Conference in National Harbor, Md., industry leaders highlighted how transportation issues, rising fuel costs, tariffs, and equipment expenses are straining the plastics recycling supply chain.
Plastics recycling is at a disadvantage to virgin resin in many ways, but transparency and communication are keys to overcoming obstacles, two speakers at the Plastics Recycling Conference said.
PureCycle Technologies Inc. has set a target of selling the company's recycled polypropylene for $1.36 per pound, significantly above the price of traditionally recycled PP.
The two companies are investing $180 million in Indianapolis to launch two businesses aimed at advancing plastic recycling. "The market is there," says Republic Services CEO Jon Vander Ark.
Plastic pellets that tumbled into the sea when a cargo ship and tanker collided off the coast of the United Kingdom are now showing up in large numbers in the water and along beaches.
The European Union's plastic recycling industry is at a breaking point, the trade group Plastics Recyclers Europe warns in a March 19 statement.
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