Steve Toloken

So-called secondary sort facilities for handling low-value mixed plastic waste have faced economic challenges but some on a panel at a recent recycling conference see potential for new investment.

A new report from the White House calls for rapid advancements over the next 20 years in bio-based plastics as part of a bigger government biotech strategy.

More than 740 financial institutions holding $136 trillion in assets are, for the first time, seeking plastics pollution-related environmental impact disclosures from thousands of companies.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, banks announced a plan to be part of the global plastics treaty talks, as one banking leader says they want clarity on whether they should invest in chemical recycling.

The complex topic of the health and environmental risks of microplastics took on a big role at a recent U.S. Senate hearing, with more discussions expected.

Both the plastics industry and environmental groups said they're happy the Federal Trade Commission is taking a look at writing new environmental marketing rules, although they may have different ideas about what should come next.

The opening round of plastics treaty talks in Uruguay showed that health issues related to chemicals and polymer manufacturing will be part of any final agreement, reaching beyond recycling and marine pollution concerns.

As U.N. global plastics treaty talks get underway in Uruguay, some countries and consumer brands are pushing for an agreement that limits virgin plastic production.

The social enterprise Plastic Bank comes to K 2022 looking to build ties in the industry for its recycled, ocean-bound plastic collected by a network of more than 600 collection centers in developing countries.

Unexpected gains by Democrats in state governments — and more legislation like extended producer responsibility — is likely the biggest midterm election takeaway for the plastics industry.

At a K 2022 panel, speakers said they hoped a plastics treaty would lead to more reporting on plastic footprints, similar to carbon footprints, as well as more harmonized global recycling standards and better working conditions for people who collect waste.

Some members of a panel at K 2022 show predicted it would be very difficult to implement a European plastics industry plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

European plastics industry data says post-consumer recycled content rose 20 percent last year, but an industry group said the continent's energy crisis threatens competitiveness.