A formal ethics complaint has been lodged against Rachel Wagoner, formerly the director of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery who is now with producer responsibility organization Circular Action Alliance. The complaint alleges that she is lobbying her former agency in violation of a state “switching sides” ban.Continue Reading→
Author: Bob Hollis
CalRecycle said it will revise the regulations and associated documents, and initiate a new formal rulemaking process, starting with a 45-day public comment period.
Source: Navigating next steps on EPR in California and beyond | Waste Dive
Following public input, multiple revisions and a missed deadline to finalize SB 54 rules, one state Democrat called progress “significantly delayed.” Some environmental advocates say they would again consider a ballot initiative.
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Tariffs on Canada and Mexico take hold
A monthlong delay on tariffs targeting U.S. border nations expired this week, meaning imports of nearly all goods, including recycled commodities, from Canada and Mexico are subject to new 25% import duties. They come on top of upcoming expanded metals tariffs, raising particular concern for a major aluminum producer.Continue Reading→
SB54 put an end to polystyrene — which had low recycling rates and high levels of pollution — in California. But the plastic industry may have spooked the governor into silence.
Source: Is the plastic industry trying to kill SB54, California’s polystyrene ban? – Los Angeles Times
Plastics recycling industry speaks out on tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump was set to implement 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, effective Feb. 4, then delayed them, creating a rapidly changing trade landscape that furthered uncertainty in the plastics recycling industry.
The post Plastics recycling industry speaks out on tariffs appeared first on Plastics Recycling Update.
Recycling Today
Source: Swedish researchers say plastic recycling delivers benefits – Recycling Today
The bottle recycler and resin manufacturer will stop buying recycled PET but keep other operations open. Recyclers say that could shift the balance of PET capacity in the region and send more material to Mexico.
Closed Loop announced new funding from Capricorn. Meanwhile, CEO Ron Gonen said Circular Services is expanding into organics with its acquisition of North America’s longest continually operating digester.
The state’s organics law requires jurisdictions to procure a certain amount of organic material, but some have struggled. A recent law expands the options and could boost categories such as vermicomposting or edible food recovery.