Steve Toloken

News Editor / International

Toloken has been News Editor/International for Plastics News since 2014. He helps host and produce the Plastics News Radio podcasts, and since late 2016, has handled coverage of politics and policy from a home office near Washington, D.C. From 2008 to 2014, he was a staff reporter for PN in Guangzhou, China, covering the industry throughout Asia. In 2006-07, he lived in Hong Kong and contributed on a freelance basis. From 1997 to 2006, he served as PN's Washington reporter. He is a journalism graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Before joining Plastics News, he worked at the Daily Press in Newport News, Va., and as a freelance journalist for the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights, Ill.

See All Staff Page

Recent Stories

Recycler PureCycle plans $440M Georgia facility

A polypropylene recycling firm, PureCycle Technologies, announced plans for its first cluster manufacturing site, a $440 million investment in Georgia.

SK puts $5M into plastics recycling fund

South Korea's SK Global Chemical is contributing to a plastics recycling investment fund run by the Closed Loop Partners and three other resin makers.

Oregon Metro govt recycling_milk_jug_bale_i.jpg

Maine, Oregon first states to adopt EPR for plastic packaging recycling

Legislators in Maine and Oregon have become the first in the U.S. to adopt extended producer responsibility for packaging. If signed by governors, companies would have to pay to support recycling.

US Congress eyes role of science in fixing plastics recycling

With only 9 percent of plastics in the U.S. getting recycled, a Congressional science panel took a look at technological innovations that could help.

GreenMantra to recycle PPE with Canadian funding

GreenMantra Technologies has received a Canadian government grant to develop a system to recycle personal protective equipment made with plastics.

G7 endorses UN global plastics treaty talks

The G7 bloc of industrialized democracies said it's open to a global treaty on plastics.

Sierra Club sues brand owners over PET recyclability claims

The Sierra Club is challenging recyclability marketing claims for PET water bottles.

Joshua Baca new ACC VP of plastics-main_i.png

Resin industry faults Plastics Pact focus on ‘problematic' packaging

The American Chemistry Council and resin suppliers criticized plans by the U.S. Plastics Pact to develop a list of "problematic" packaging.

Colorado adopts statewide plastics ban, hands cities reins to do more

In a legislative session full of plastics bills, Colorado wrapped up June 8 by banning plastic bags and EPS takeout containers, dropping an alternative pushed by industry, and giving cities the authority to go further.

Ashley Plastics Renewal Facility - Brightmark_i.jpg

Brightmark plans $680M Georgia waste plastics plant

Brightmark LLC said the facility will turn waste plastics into fuels, plastic feedstocks and waxes, and will be the largest such plant in the world. It did not provide a date for when the $680 million plant would start.

Bottled water maker CG Roxane opens second PET recycling plant

The company that owns the Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring water brand is opening its second PET recycling plant, part of a goal to have 50 percent recycled content in its bottles.

APR wants chemical recycling limited to plastics-to-plastics

A plastics recycling trade group wants to see the definition of chemical recycling limited to circular loops used to make new plastics, but other industry groups want broader considerations.

Delivery driver placing package on front porch_i.jpg

Amazon rejects plastics plan as groups urge reduced virgin plastic use

Amazon shareholders voted down a plastics packaging resolution at their annual meeting in late May, but green investment groups are pressing ahead with efforts to get other companies to cut back on virgin plastic.