A U.K. plastics recycling business hits hard times, and an Australian company that makes recycled plastic pallets is now publicly traded. U.K.: The parent company of major plastics recycling enterprise CK Group has entered administration, according to letsrecycle.com. The move is reportedly a result of a decline in demand for recycled material from Asian buyers. Australia: Recycled plastic pallet manufacturer...

A recycling program in Virginia expands its plastics scope, and a materials recovery facility in Ontario pushes back against bags and PS. No more plastic bags or polystyrene: A materials recovery facility, operated by The Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre in Ontario, will stop accepting certain plastics, specifically polystyrene and film plastic. According to the Daily Observer, officials say the...

Queensland becomes the latest Australian state to pass a bottle bill, and a textile company that uses recovered materials in fabrics makes moves in Europe. Australia: The state of Queensland recently passed a bottle bill. It places a 10-cent deposit (Australian currency) on all plastic, can and cardboard drink containers. New South Wales recently passed a similar bill, according to The Courier Mail....

A reporter tests the expiration dates stamped on food, and a curbside recycling contract dispute gets dirty. Lessons in food waste: A Huffington Post reporter recently profiled her weeklong journey of eating foods that were headed to the garbage or past their expiration dates. Her takeaway? Expired food isn’t always tasty, but it won’t hurt you either. Canadian city recycles...

A study finds Australia needs to improve its e-scrap recycling laws, and legislation in Ghana could generate major sums of money for e-scrap management. Australia: A study by scientists at University of New South Wales concludes the country’s e-scrap recycling laws need to be revamped. The researchers compared Australia’s practices with those in Japan and Switzerland and found Australia’s methods...

A New Jersey sheriff attempts to fight the widespread dumping of end-of-life electronics, and a modular smartphone could be coming from Motorola. Dumping decried: A county sheriff in New Jersey is starring in a television PSA warning people to stop dumping electronics illegally. The Burlington County Times says the state banned electronics from going into landfills in 2008 but that...

Two companies are working on a new resin made with a mix of plastic and fiber, and an exports-focused company opens a collection hub. Resin with fiber: Two British companies have partnered up to develop a new resin made from disposable coffee cups. Plastics Technology says instead of separating the paper from the plastic lining during the recycling process, the...

Plastic foam isn’t going out of style, and one forecast predicts steady growth in the global recycled plastics market. Foam demand on the rise: A new study by The Freedonia Group predicts the U.S. demand for plastic foams will rise 2.3 percent per year to 8.8 billion pounds by the year 2020. The study predicts rigid polyurethane foam will continue...

The Closed Loop Foundation launches a grant program to take aim at food waste, and Massachusetts provides funding to give recycling businesses a boost. Targeting food waste: The Closed Loop Foundation has started a grant and loan program aimed at helping organizations reduce food waste and boost food scraps diversion. The foundation, a nonprofit group that started the Closed Loop...

Haulers in one Colorado city could be allowed to charge more for collection services due to falling recycling revenues, and Seattle considers changes to its plastic bag ban. Fort Collins, Colo.: Haulers in Fort Collins could soon be allowed to add a surcharge on customers’ bills. According to the Coloradoan, the surcharge would help offset the effects of struggling recycling...