Should the federal government support a massive recycling plant in Erie that will make plastics for steelmaking?
Supporters see an opportunity to reuse plastic waste and create jobs, while some residents and environmental groups say it’s a bad idea.
plastics
A new report says the promises of the plastic recycling industry don’t pan out for communities
The Ohio River Valley Institute’s report concludes chemical, or advanced recycling won’t solve the plastic pollution problem or create sustainable jobs.
Activists celebrate as plans for a chemical recycling plant are canceled
The proposed plant would have turned plastic waste into chemicals along the Susquehanna River.
Tiny plastic pieces top the list of trash on Great Lakes beaches
The nonprofit Alliance for the Great Lakes analyzed 20 years of data from volunteer beach cleanups.
Paused Ohio chemical recycling plant puts spotlight on Appalachia as ‘prime target’ for the controversial practice
Chemical recycling uses heat, chemicals or both to break down plastic waste into component parts for reuse as plastic feedstocks or as fuel.
Taxpayers subsidize polluting plastics plants like Shell’s ethane cracker, report finds
Many plastics plants that have received tax incentives like Shell's Beaver County facility routinely break environmental laws.
Allegheny County to consider ban on single-use plastic bags
The ordinance was introduced at a meeting Tuesday and referred to council’s committee on sustainability and green initiatives.
Plastic recycler plans to move ahead with Pa. plant after withdrawing key permit application
The plant along the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County would break down plastics into chemical building blocks.
Groups threaten to sue Beaver County plastics manufacturer for releasing ‘nurdles’ into Ohio River tributary
The groups say they found plastic pellets called nurdles near the outfall of the Styropek plant along Raccoon Creek.
Pittsburgh is banning plastic bags next month. Here’s what you need to know.
Pittsburgh's plastic bag ban goes into effect Oct. 14. Here’s what you can expect and need to know ahead of the rollout.
