"A flat or declining recovery rate indicates that the system needs support," said APR's Steve Alexander.

According to a new report released today by the Association of Plastic Recyclers in Washington (APR), the recycling of plastic bottles, non-bottle rigid plastics and films in the U.S. decreased by 27 million pounds, or 0.5%, in 2019. The report was sponsored by APR, the Plastic Recycling Foundation, and the American Chemistry Council (ACC). According to ACC, the decline indicates a systemic problem with U.S. recycling.

The "2019 U.S. Post-Consumer Recycling Data Report" marks the first time that major plastic categories have been reported together in a single report. The report is based on surveys conducted by Stina Inc. in Sonoma, California and NAPCOR (National Association for PET Container Resources) in Charlotte, North Carolina. It displays the survey results of the main types of plastic recycled for recycling-bottles, non-bottle rigid plastics, films and other plastics (except foam) by destination, and points out the changes over time.

In 2019, 5.09 billion pounds of post-consumer plastics originating in the United States were recycled and reused. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles collected for recycling totaled nearly 1.78 billion pounds and 998 million pounds, respectively, while polypropylene and other bottles totaled 34.7 million pounds. Nearly 1.29 billion pounds of non-bottled hard plastics were collected for recycling, and the total amount of plastic film collected for recycling was 977.7 million pounds.

According to the report, the U.S. recycling station capacity in 2019 was the same as in 2018, close to 2.4 billion pounds. Fiber is still the main North American market for recycled PET bottles, but the bottle end market share is increasing year by year, followed by sheet and film, strapping and other end markets.

Research shows that compared with 2018, the largest increase in recycling in 2019 was for non-bottle hard plastics (45.9 million pounds), and the largest decline in recycling was PET bottles (39.3 million pounds). Despite the overall decline in recycled plastic film, there has been an increase in film recycled from retail and agricultural sources. Plastic bottles accounted for 55.2%, continuing to account for the majority of recycled plastics, non-bottle rigid plastics accounted for 25.3%, film accounted for 19.2%, and other plastics (excluding foam) accounted for 0.3%.

The report shows that most of the materials recycled in the United States in 2019 were purchased by recyclers in the United States or Canada (87.9% in total), while 12.1% of the plastic recycled in the United States was exported overseas. In comparison, the 2010 figures were 61% and 39%. Bottles accounted for the majority of exports, an increase of 26 million pounds compared to 2018, while non-bottle rigid exports remained flat, and post-consumer film exports fell by 28.5 million pounds.

According to the 2019 survey, although the plastic recycling rate in North America has increased by about 8% since 2017, the recycling industry is facing continuous challenges.

"Flat or declining recovery rates indicate that the system needs support," said APR President and CEO Steve Alexander. “The reduction of mature recycling streams (such as PET and HDPE bottles) makes brand companies’ commitment to increasing recycling content more challenging. There are many opportunities to support the continued growth of film and non-bottle rigid recycling, and by focusing on the success of recyclers To change the direction of the bottles because they are the engines of the circular economy.”

Alexander continued: "Our business and consumption patterns are changing, and our resource recovery system must also change. The collection of high-quality materials is essential for recyclers to produce high-quality raw materials at lower environmental and economic costs."

Joshua Baca, Vice President of Plastics, ACC, based in Washington, said: “Companies in the plastics value chain are committed to transforming to a circular economy. We are very pleased to see innovation and investment in all aspects from recycling design to recycling. Modernize recycling infrastructure. We look forward to working with policymakers, our business partners and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition to recycling."

To access the data dashboard and full report, click here. 

The association stated that the report is free for SWANA members.

The North American Solid Waste Association (SWANA), located in Silver Spring, Maryland, recently released its Applied Research Foundation (ARF) report, which addresses the increase in pollution in roadside recycling programs and the impact on the cost and safety of material recycling facilities (MRF). Influence.

The "Reduction of Pollution in the Roadside Recycling Program" report identified and resolved the main reasons why residents put pollutants into recycling bins. The association stated that understanding the reasons leading to these recycling behaviors should enable recycling and sustainability program managers to develop and implement more effective anti-pollution programs to address the root causes of roadside recycling pollution. 

The report also looks at local governments that have implemented trolley inspection and marking options to reduce pollution. It examines what measures these communities are taking to raise public awareness and the measures they are taking to enforce rules against non-compliant families. 

According to SWANA's press release, the complete report is currently only available to SWANA ARF subscribers and members. The public will receive the ARF industry report for free in 2022.

"We are pleased to provide this important ARF report to all SWANA members. It provides recycling managers in the United States and Canada with useful and actionable information that can be used to reduce pollution and program costs," SWANA Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer David Biderman said. "We hope that local governments and enterprises will make full use of the insights and analysis in the report, join ARF, and help guide our future research work."

The chemical recycling company is supplying its Braven PyChem to large olefin and polyolefin producers.

Braven Environmental, a New York-based company that extracts fuel from plastics, has signed a long-term agreement with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem) to supply Braven PyChem, a pyrolysis-derived raw material. By deploying its patented technology based on pyrolysis, Braven converts hybrid plastics into Braven PyChem, a raw material and input used to produce new plastics and as a substitute for traditional fuel products.

According to Braven’s press release, the company’s proprietary pyrolysis process has been tested and developed for more than 10 years and can decompose mixed, difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into what the company calls Braven PyChem. The output can be used to make new plastic.

"We are excited to work with CPChem and play a role in their industry-leading sustainability efforts," said Nicholas Canosa, President and CEO of Braven Environmental. "Braven's pyrolysis process and PyChem products provide an alternative to traditional waste plastic management, and by laying the foundation for the creation of new plastics, it establishes a true circular economy for plastics that are difficult to recycle. Our PyChem raw materials help As an environmentally conscious company like CPChem achieves its recycling goals, we are happy to work hand in hand with CPChem while continuing to build more facilities."

According to Braven, CPChem has begun receiving Braven PyChem from Braven's first commercial-scale site in North Carolina, which began operations last year. Braven plans to break ground on a second location in Virginia later this year, which will become another source of Braven PyChem supply for CPChem. Braven invested US$31.7 million in its Virginia plant. It is expected that more sites will be announced in the near future.

The new trucks are easy to maintain, have ownership and have extended durability.

The North American manufacturer of waste transportation equipment, Amrep, is owned by Wastequip in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the company has released a new rear-loaded garbage truck. According to an Amrep press release, the rear-load garbage truck is equipped with Hardox AR500 and AR450 steel bodies, making it one of the strongest rear-load truck bodies on the market.

The post-load design has been proven to require less overall maintenance, so it can save more than $1,200 per month. Amrep reports that rear-loading trucks can better control the pollution of recycled content-for rear-loading garbage trucks, transporters can choose to inspect and classify the content instead of the automatic side loader (ASL) model. In this mode, The driver never leaves the cab.

"The demand for rear-load trucks has been stable for many years," said Rob Strange, Amrep's North American garbage truck sales director. "This type of truck has brought huge benefits to many transporters, and we are excited about the engineering and technology we have implemented in our new products."

Regular maintenance is vital to the life of any vehicle, and occasional breakdowns are part of a diligent truck life. With the help of Amrep rear-loading trucks, the transporter can get the best parts, service, maintenance and repair services through the Wastequip WRX and Amrep's Wastebuilt brands.

Amrep provides financing options for companies of all sizes, from independent operators to national carriers. According to Amrep, these options provide financial flexibility and help customers quickly obtain the equipment they need. Amrep and Wastequip financing options include a fast and easy application process, reserved cash and credit lines, fast credit approval, competitive interest rates and 100% financing.

The new site will include reconstruction centers, parts, service support and sales.

Connect Work Tools, Superior, Wisconsin is expanding its business to Texas. On June 28, the company will add a second location in Clayburn, Texas. According to the Connect Work Tools press release, the site will include a complete reconstruction center, parts, service support and sales. The site will also provide a large inventory of Connect Work Tools products such as hydraulic crushers, compactors, grabs and shredders.

Through the new office, the company has hired 10 employees who will work in Cliburn. Geordie Stewart, Connect Work Tools sales director, will oversee the Connect Work Tools sales team nationwide.

Kevin Boreen, CEO of Exodus Global LLC said: "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to allow Geordie and the entire (former) KGS Demolition staff to use Connect Work Tools." "For all our departments (ShearCore, BladeCore, Connect Work Tools and OilQuick) In general, Texas has always been an exceptionally strong market. We look forward to expanding our footprint in the region and the country."

The new facility is located at 115 Commerce Blvd. Located in Clayburn, Texas, the contact number for the new office is 1-817-774-1428.

Connect Work Tools is a division of Exodus Global (formerly Exodus Machines), which is a private company. Connect Work Tools was established in 2015 to provide high-quality accessories for the construction, demolition, recycling and mining industries-hydraulic crushers, compactors, rotary grabs and shredders. The company also provides reconstruction services and refurbished equipment.