National News
Scrap plastic exports plummet 43% this year, paper stable
The latest figures indicate that the plastics recycling disruption is ongoing, and there are many indications the export situation will only experience more uncertainty. For instance, this decrease comes before the impact of the Basel Convention changes in scrap plastic shipping rules. And additional countries are publicly denouncing scrap plastic imports and calling for regulatory reform.
The Recycling Partnership's 2019 State of Curbside Recycling Survey Open!
Help determine the State of Curbside Recycling in America! Our 2019 State of Curbside Recycling Survey is open for your input. Tell us about your challenges, policies, and program financing to help build support for a robust and resilient curbside recycling system in the United States.
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) proposal for packaging hits the national stage
Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and U.S.
Legislation directs EPA to strengthen U.S. recycling
A funding bill advancing in Congress directs the U.S. EPA to develop a national recycling strategy addressing harmonized labeling, public education and other factors.
The legislation also provides the EPA with funding for 2020 that’s well above what President Trump requested.
Local leaders respond to market challenges
Many recycling programs have been struggling to find economic stability, and in some cases, they’ve slimmed down to survive. Here are recent examples of adjustments in three communities of varying size.
Expanding capacity for residential mixed paper
Several paper mills are expected to open new facilities or expand capacity for residential mixed paper by the end of 2019 into 2021.
A Steady Path Forward for Recycling
We have all heard plenty about China’s Green Fence and National Sword. The policies have led to tight quality standards, limited import licenses, strict inspections – and major market disruptions.
Report: Residential recycling rules more confusing than Ikea furniture or tax prep
About a quarter of respondents (26%) in a recent survey of 2,000 adults by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) feel recycling is more difficult than assembling IKEA furniture. Another 23% find recycling more complicated than completing a tax return, and 22% find it more complex than the stock market.
Addressing what’s broken in residential recycling
“Residential recycling is broken” was a common refrain noted from all the speakers of the plenary session at the Southeast Recycling Conference (SERC), which took place Feb. 24-26 in Orlando, Florida. Three industry leaders opened up the conference during its plenary session, including Chaz Miller, president of Miller & Associates, Bill Caesar, chief executive officer at Houston-based Waste Corporate of America (WCA) and Amy Boyson, community affairs manager at Waste Management.
Product Stewardship Bills Hit States
Lawmakers in Indiana and Washington are evaluating proposals that would shift end-of-life packaging management responsibilities from municipalities to product producers.
The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), which promotes extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs nationwide, tied the recent legislative interest directly to current recycling market disruptions.
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