Readers in May were drawn to an overview of the U.S. recycled pulp export market, an e-scrap collection collaboration, EPR policy development and, as always, the latest market values for curbside recyclables.
The list below shows our top stories published in May in terms of unique page views.
1 | Once a growing market, recycled pulp exports dry up
In May 2018, as the global recycling industry was reeling from the Chinese government’s move to ban or heavily restrict imports of key recovered paper grades, the largest paper company in China made an investment that drew some attention.
2 | Local groups add e-scrap recycling sites in Pennsylvania
Goodwill, the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center and Reworld have added 42 free recycling sites throughout Pennsylvania, a state with a long history of electronics recycling access challenges.
3 | EPR program sent to Minnesota gov in budget bill
Minnesota is poised to be the fifth U.S. state to pass extended producer responsibility for packaging after adding the program language into the 2024 Environment and Natural Resources Budget, which is now on the governor’s desk.
4 | Prices for curbside recyclables continue to climb
Natural and color HDPE prices rose higher this month, continuing an upward trend that began last fall. Paper grades increased marginally as well.
5 | Mill operators sound off on rising fiber prices
OCC end users have been paying consistently higher prices for the recovered fiber grade since last fall, and it played heavily into their discussions of first-quarter earnings this year.
