Page 52 - Plastics News Issue June 2025
P. 52
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The materials categories got small tweaks and “We simplified the language there to keep that
updates, and CalRecycle deleted the require- door more broadly open for innovation and new
ment for PROs to perform randomized material ways of providing refill and reusable packaging,”
tracking and the section on source-reduction Kayfetz said.
adjustment calculations.
There are no longer requirements for reusable
In the first draft, the source reduction plan could and refillable containers to be “sufficiently dura-
be adjusted to “account for fluctuations in eco- ble” or “sufficiently washable,” and the majority
nomic conditions and the increase or decrease of text in that section has been struck.
in the number of producers participating in the
PRO plan.” CalRecycle also decided to delete the section
giving details on multiple PROs, with Kayfetz
Some definitions were also updated to clarify noting that “this rulemaking is not the right time
obligated producers. to give details on how to set up and integrate
other PROs.”
Kayfetz said the updates were “not a departure
of the meaning and intent, but a reorganization The requirement for new and emerging technol-
and revision to simplify that process of identify- ogies to be tested was moved into the respon-
ing who the producer is.” sible end market identification section, and the
onus was placed on the facility requesting that a
The language in the categorical exclusion section new technology be considered eligible to prove
was made “more robust,” she added, and the that it meets the requirements.
section on exemptions for reuse and refill con-
tainers was overhauled after substantial feed- Source – Resource Recycling
back that it was too prescriptive and expressing
“concern the bar was being set in a way that
would limit innovation in this area.”
Europe’s chemical recycling sector could
reach cost parity with virgin plastics
ain & Company's report outlines three
key areas for plastics producers to lead
Bin the sector.
Anew report by Bain & Company has highlighted
a significant growth opportunity for the chemi-
cal recycling industry in Europe, projecting that
it could reach cost parity with virgin plastics pro-
duction within the next two to three decades.
52 PLASTICS NEWS June 2025
