SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: August 10-14, 2026

August 14, 2026

Gold Steadies After Sharp Drop

Gold steadied around $4,350 an ounce on Friday after falling sharply in the previous session, as investors took profits while assessing the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook and developments in the Middle East. Data released Thursday showed US producer prices increased less than expected in July, offering further evidence that inflationary pressures are not broadly intensifying following Wednesday’s subdued CPI report. The softer price data reduces pressure on the Fed to raise interest rates in the near term, with markets now pricing in around a 35% chance of a 25 basis point rate hike in September, down from 55% a week earlier. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remain deadlocked, keeping investors cautious over the risk of an escalation that could drive energy prices higher and reignite inflationary pressures. (Source: Trading Economics)

UBS Sees Gold Approaching $5,000 in First Half of 2027

UBS expects gold prices to rise toward $5,000 per ounce in the first half of 2027, citing lower real interest rates, a weaker U.S. dollar and sustained central bank demand as key drivers of the outlook. The Swiss bank said gold has recently broken above the $4,250 resistance level, supported by reported Chinese institutional buying and inflows into exchange-traded funds. UBS expects the Federal Reserve to resume monetary easing in 2027 as inflation moderates, potentially lowering real yields and boosting investment demand for gold. Central bank purchases are also expected to remain elevated. UBS estimates that official-sector buying will total 750-1,000 metric tons in 2026, after central banks purchased 289 tons in the second quarter. UBS cautioned that firm U.S. economic data, higher oil prices and expectations for a more hawkish Fed could create near-term volatility. However, it said structural dollar weakness and continued diversification away from U.S. assets should provide longer-term support for gold. (Source: Kitco News)

Silver Steadies After Pulling Back

Silver steadied around $64.5 an ounce on Friday after pulling back in the previous session, as investors took profits while assessing the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook and developments in the Middle East. Data released Thursday showed US producer prices increased less than expected in July, offering further evidence that inflationary pressures are not broadly intensifying following Wednesday’s subdued CPI report. The softer price data reduces pressure on the Fed to raise interest rates in the near term, with markets now pricing in around a 35% chance of a 25 basis point rate hike in September, down from 55% a week earlier. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remain deadlocked, keeping investors cautious over the risk of an escalation that could drive energy prices higher and reignite inflationary pressures. (Source: Trading Economics)

Battery Network, Waste Groups Partner to Strengthen Battery Safety and Recovery

The Battery Network has partnered with the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and National Waste & Recycling Foundation (NWRF) to expand battery safety education and responsible battery recovery across the United States. Formalized through a memorandum of understanding, the partnership will support public outreach, industry education, battery collection initiatives and resources for waste and recycling professionals. The groups will also expand NWRF’s “Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!” campaign, which encourages consumers to keep batteries out of household trash and recycling bins. The organizations aim to improve battery management throughout collection and recycling operations while helping reduce safety risks associated with improper disposal. The Battery Network brings more than 30 years of experience in battery stewardship, collection and recycling across North America, while NWRA represents the private-sector waste and recycling industry. The partners said the collaboration will help strengthen recovery infrastructure, protect workers and communities, and support safer battery management as electrification increases battery use. (Source: The Battery Network)

OnePlanet Unveils Solar Panel Recycling Process Recovering High-Purity Silicon and Silver

U.S.-based OnePlanet has unveiled PRISM, a fully automated mechanical process designed to recover high-purity silicon, silver, copper and aluminum from end-of-life solar panels. The company expects production to begin in 2027. At its Florida facility, PRISM removed 99.5% of module glass at 99% purity before size reduction. Subsequent processing produced a silicon stream exceeding 95% purity containing about 1% silver, along with copper granulate at 99% purity and 99.9%-pure aluminum, according to OnePlanet. The results were verified by independent laboratories. OnePlanet said the process uses no thermal or chemical separation and has been tested on both monofacial and bifacial modules, including storm-damaged panels. The company has received a $14.5 million investment tax credit allocation under the U.S. federal 48C program to support its planned River City industrial-scale facility. It is targeting a 2030 launch for a metallurgical-grade silicon refining process that would also recover silver as a separate product. (Source: PR Newswire)

ERI and Green Marble Launch Joint Venture to Expand E-Waste Recycling in Vietnam

ERI and Vietnam-based Green Marble Company have formed a 50-50 partnership to establish ERI Vietnam, a new venture focused on e-waste recycling, IT asset disposition (ITAD) and data destruction services. The partnership will combine ERI’s recycling technologies and circular economy expertise with Green Marble and parent company VSD Holdings’ local infrastructure and networks. The venture will provide services including electronics recycling, secure data destruction, logistics, material recovery and regulatory compliance. ERI said its operations use technologies including AI-powered image recognition and robotic sorting to recover materials from end-of-life electronics. The company has recycled more than 3 billion pounds of electronic waste in the United States and operates eight locations. ERI Vietnam will become ERI’s first owned and branded facility in Vietnam, expanding its presence beyond its existing network of audited recycling and ITAD partners in more than 140 countries. The new venture is scheduled to begin operations later in 2026. (Source: Businesswire)

APR Launches Digital Tool to Assess Plastic Packaging Recyclability

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has launched the APR Design® Assessment Tool powered by Recyda, a digital platform designed to help companies evaluate the recyclability of plastic packaging and prepare for evolving packaging regulations. Available initially to APR members, the tool is based on the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability and was developed with sustainable packaging software provider Recyda. It automates the assessment process by analyzing packaging designs, identifying potential recycling issues and providing recommendations for improvement. The platform assigns packaging a recyclability classification, including Preferred Design for Recycling, Tolerated but Needs Improvement, Non-Recyclable or Requires Testing. It also evaluates compliance with California’s SB 343 labeling requirements. APR said the tool will help companies respond to growing regulatory demands, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs and recycling labeling rules across North America, by providing a more efficient way to verify packaging compatibility with existing recycling systems. (Source: APR)

BlueScope Starts Electric Arc Furnace Production in New Zealand

New Zealand Steel, a BlueScope business, has produced its first batches of steel from a new electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Glenbrook site, using recycled steel as feedstock and completing a major shift away from blast furnace production. The EAF is powered by renewable electricity and supplied with local scrap steel. BlueScope said the transition is expected to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions from the Glenbrook steelmaking campus by more than 45% and cut coal consumption at the site by half. The project, which began construction about two years ago, involved more than 1 million hours of construction work while the steelworks remained operational. NZ Steel said it continued producing about 650,000 metric tons of steel during the transition to maintain domestic supply. The project received up to NZ$140 million in co-investment from the New Zealand government. Long-term scrap supply agreements with Sims and GMS Recycling are expected to divert hundreds of thousands of tons of scrap from export markets to domestic steelmaking. (Source: BlueScope)

Metsä Group Invests €25 Million in New Fibre Packaging Line in Finland

Metsä Group will invest €25 million in a new fibre packaging production line at its Äänekoski mill in Finland, expanding capacity for its wood-fibre-based Muoto products used in food and serving applications. The new line will produce packaging directly from wet wood pulp, eliminating intermediate processing steps. Metsä said the lightweight material combines stiffness with functional performance and meets requirements under the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The production line, supplied by Valmet, is expected to begin operations in 2028 with nominal capacity exceeding 100 million products annually. It will be built alongside Metsä’s existing Muoto demonstration plant at the Äänekoski mill site. Metsä also said it will not proceed with a previously planned Kuura textile fibre mill in Kemi, Finland, citing significant global overcapacity that has weakened the competitiveness of responsibly produced man-made cellulosic fibres. (Source: Metsä Group)

KANEBO Selects Eastman PET Resin for Premium Cosmetic Packaging

Japanese cosmetics brand KANEBO has selected Eastman Cristal™ One IM812 specialty PET resin for the overcap of its Generating Essentials Treatment Lotion, combining premium aesthetics with durability and recyclability. The thick-walled black overcap required a material capable of withstanding drop-impact testing and maintaining strength after painting. Eastman said Cristal One IM812 met those requirements while delivering the high-gloss black finish and subtle transparency gradient sought by KANEBO. The specialty PET resin is injection moldable and designed to provide high transparency and toughness for premium cosmetic components. KANEBO also selected the material because it can be recycled through the PET recycling stream, despite the product being primarily marketed in Asian markets. The lotion launched in January 2026, with KANEBO planning to expand the use of Cristal One Renew IM812 in future products. The collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between Eastman and Kao, KANEBO’s parent company. (Source: PR Newswire)

EU Packaging Rules Take Effect, Tightening PFAS Limits and Recycling Requirements

The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) began applying Aug. 12, introducing harmonized rules for packaging across the bloc and new restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-contact packaging. Under the regulation, food-contact packaging containing PFAS above specified limits can no longer be placed on the EU market. The measure targets persistent chemicals commonly used for grease and water resistance in products such as takeaway containers, food wrappers and pizza boxes. The PPWR replaces fragmented national requirements with a common framework covering the packaging life cycle, while aiming to reduce waste, strengthen secondary raw material markets and improve cross-border trade. Further measures will be phased in. Harmonized packaging labels are scheduled for 2028, while restrictions on packaging waste, reuse targets, recycled-content requirements and mandatory recyclability will apply from 2030. The regulation is expected to reshape packaging design and recycling practices across the EU. (Source: EU Commission)

EU Tightens End-of-Life Vehicle Rules to Boost Automotive Circularity

The European Union’s revised End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation has entered into force, introducing stricter requirements for vehicle design, recycled content, collection and recycling to strengthen circularity across the automotive sector. The regulation requires automakers to make vehicles easier to dismantle, reuse and recycle while improving information on component removal and replacement. It also sets mandatory recycled plastic content targets of 15% from 2032 and 25% from 2036. The European Commission will establish recycled-content targets for steel and aluminum, due to apply from 2033. The rules strengthen vehicle traceability and enforcement while promoting greater recovery of critical materials, including aluminum, copper and rare earth elements. From mid-2031, only roadworthy vehicles may be exported outside the EU. The framework also expands extended producer responsibility, requiring manufacturers to contribute to end-of-life vehicle collection and treatment costs. The EU said the measures are intended to increase secondary raw material supplies, support recycling investment and reduce reliance on imported virgin materials. (Source: EU Commission)