SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: October 19-23, 2026

October 23, 2026

Gold Slides Toward Three-Month Low

Gold prices fell toward $4,000 an ounce on Friday, approaching their lowest levels in nearly three months as a deepening selloff in technology and artificial intelligence stocks prompted traders to liquidate precious metals to cover losses in other assets. The broader equity downturn intensified this week after Meta Platforms’ plans to increase capital expenditure reignited concerns that technology companies may take on additional debt to fund the AI buildout. Gold also remained under pressure from rising oil prices, which heightened inflation concerns and strengthened expectations that interest rates could stay elevated for longer. However, growing doubts about the sustainability of AI investments, a key driver of US economic growth, prompted markets to scale back expectations for further Federal Reserve rate hikes, potentially providing some support for precious metals. (Source: Trading Economics)

Silver Languishes to Near One-Year Low

Silver prices fell to around $54 an ounce on Friday, hitting their lowest levels since November 2025 as a deepening selloff in technology and artificial intelligence stocks prompted traders to liquidate precious metals to cover losses in other assets. The broader equity downturn intensified this week after Meta Platforms’ plans to increase capital expenditure reignited concerns that technology companies may take on additional debt to fund the AI buildout. Silver also remained under pressure from rising oil prices, which heightened inflation concerns and strengthened expectations that interest rates could stay elevated for longer. However, growing doubts about the sustainability of AI investments, a key driver of US economic growth, prompted markets to scale back expectations for further Federal Reserve rate hikes, potentially providing some support for precious metals.(Source: Trading Economics)

Copper Prices Slide to 5-Week Low

Copper futures fell to around $6.40 per pound, reaching their lowest level in five weeks as a global selloff in artificial intelligence stocks dampened sentiment toward the metal. Copper remains a key beneficiary of AI expansion due to its essential role in data centers and power infrastructure. Prices also faced pressure this week amid speculation that the US may abandon proposed tariffs on refined copper imports. Markets increasingly expect the Trump administration to reconsider the measures ahead of the midterm elections, as global supplies tighten and inflationary pressures persist. Copper prices hit record highs last month after traders redirected shipments to US warehouses in anticipation of potential tariffs, reducing availability in other major markets. Meanwhile, supply concerns remain elevated amid the risk of labor strikes at major mining companies due to ongoing labor disputes.(Source: Trading Economics)

Rivian and Redwood Materials Expand Partnership to Cover Battery Reuse and Recycling

Rivian and Redwood Materials have expanded their partnership to cover battery manufacturing scrap, end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries and stationary energy storage. Under the agreement, Redwood will collect retired Rivian battery packs and assess whether they can be reused in energy storage systems or should be sent for recycling. The arrangement also covers manufacturing scrap and batteries reaching the end of their second-life applications. Redwood reports that its recycling technology can recover more than 95% of key materials, including lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper. The expanded collaboration connects battery collection, reuse and material recovery within a broader lifecycle management approach. (Source: Rivian)

Plastipak Opens New PET Material Center in Italy

Plastipak has opened a new PET Material Center in Verbania, Italy, following an investment of more than €25 million. The facility will produce pakPET™ Single Pellet Solution, a PET resin containing 30% recycled material for use in packaging applications. By combining virgin and recycled PET in a single pellet, the product allows manufacturers to incorporate recycled content without separately blending materials. Applications include food and beverage containers, personal care and pharmaceutical packaging, and thermoformed products. The new center expands Plastipak’s European recycling and material production operations, connecting recovered plastics with packaging-grade resin production and providing manufacturers with another option for incorporating recycled PET into existing processes. (Source: Plastipak)

NexMetals Reports 198% Increase in Selebi North Indicated Mineral Resources in Botswana

NexMetals Mining Corp. has reported a substantial increase in the estimated indicated mineral resources at its Selebi North copper-nickel deposit in Botswana, with the total rising from 3.00 million tonnes in 2024 to 8.95 million tonnes. The updated estimate also records higher copper and nickel grades, alongside a cobalt grade of 0.06%. The revision follows 42,633 metres of additional drilling across 92 holes and an updated geological assessment. NexMetals is continuing technical studies to evaluate the deposit’s development potential and possible links with the nearby Selebi Main deposit. The updated figures strengthen the resource outlook, although further work is required to establish economic viability. (Source: NexMetals Mining Corp.)

EQT Agrees to Acquire Cleanaway in A$9.3 Billion Waste Management Deal

EQT has agreed to acquire Cleanaway Waste Management, one of Australia’s major integrated waste management and resource recovery companies, in a transaction valued at approximately A$9.3 billion. Under the proposed scheme of arrangement, Cleanaway shareholders would receive A$3.095 per share in cash, subject to applicable adjustments and the transaction’s conditions. Cleanaway operates across waste collection, recycling, treatment and disposal, serving businesses, households and local councils nationwide. EQT intends to support the company’s future development through infrastructure investment and operational improvements. The acquisition remains subject to shareholder, regulatory and court approvals, with completion expected by the end of March 2027. (Source: EQT)

TANAKA and MEP Establish Precious Metal Refining Joint Venture in Malaysia

Japan-based TANAKA Precious Metal Technologies and Malaysia’s MEP Enviro Technology have established a joint venture to expand precious metal recycling and refining capacity in Penang, Malaysia. Named TANAKA MEP REFINERY SDN. BHD., the company will operate at Batu Kawan Industrial Park, with TANAKA holding a 66.7% stake and MEP owning 33.3%. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in April 2029 and will analyse recovered materials and refine precious metals to a purity of 99.99%. Initial production is expected to include high-purity gold and potassium gold cyanide for the electronics and semiconductor industries. The partnership combines MEP’s material recovery capabilities with TANAKA’s refining and quality-control expertise to strengthen precious metal recycling across ASEAN. (Source: TANAKA)

Aliplast Opens €48.8 Million Rigid Plastics Recycling Plant in Italy

Aliplast has opened a new rigid plastics recycling plant in Modena, Italy, with an annual processing capacity of 30,000 tonnes. The €48.8 million facility, including €7.7 million in public funding, will produce recycled polymers with purity exceeding 99% for applications in automotive, electronics, cosmetics and furniture. The project comes as European regulations increase demand for high-quality recycled plastics. Aliplast also plans to expand its operations, targeting more than 210,000 tonnes of annual capacity for secondary plastic raw materials through further developments and a proposed acquisition in Poland. The investment highlights the growing role of advanced recycling facilities in supplying manufacturers with reliable alternatives to virgin plastics.(Source: Aliplast)

NAW Seeks Court Protection from Oregon EPR Fees During Appeal

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) has asked a federal court in Oregon to suspend its August ruling upholding the state’s packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) law while the association appeals to the Ninth Circuit. Filed on October 17, 2026, the motion seeks to restore protections granted to NAW members in February, when enforcement of Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act was temporarily blocked for those businesses. The dispute has taken on added urgency as the state’s designated producer responsibility organization, Circular Action Alliance (CAA), is expected to issue its next round of invoices in January 2027. NAW argues that members could face unrecoverable payments if the law is later ruled unconstitutional, while withholding payment could expose them to late fees and enforcement action. The association’s challenge focuses on constitutional questions involving interstate commerce and the delegation of fee-setting authority to a private organization. The latest motion does not automatically suspend the law; the court must approve the requested stay. (Source: National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors)

EU and New Caledonia Sign Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials

The European Commission and the government of New Caledonia have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop sustainable raw material value chains and strengthen cooperation on critical mineral supplies. Signed in Nouméa on October 20, 2026, the agreement supports the EU’s efforts to diversify sourcing and improve supply chain resilience under its Critical Raw Materials Act and RESourceEU action plan. New Caledonia’s role as a nickel producer gives the partnership particular significance, with the territory accounting for approximately 3.1% of global nickel production in 2024. Cooperation will cover investment, trade, research and innovation, environmental and social standards, infrastructure development, and skills training. The partners also intend to advance projects across the raw materials value chain, including processing and recycling, with support from relevant European institutions and private investors. A joint roadmap is expected to help translate the agreement into practical initiatives in consultation with EU member states, the European Investment Bank and industry stakeholders. The partnership forms part of the EU’s broader strategy to secure more diversified and sustainable supplies of materials essential to industrial production and the green transition. (Source: European Commission)

EU Council Seeks Exemption for Small Packaging Producers from EPR Representative Rules

The Council of the European Union has agreed on a negotiating position to simplify extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements for small packaging producers, reducing administrative burdens under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).Under the proposed changes, EU-based businesses placing less than one tonne of packaging on the market in another member state each year could be exempt from appointing an authorised representative in that country. Safeguards would remain in place to address non-compliance with EPR obligations.Part of the EU’s Omnibus VIII simplification package, the proposal aims to make cross-border operations less burdensome for smaller businesses without abandoning producer responsibility for packaging waste.Negotiations with the European Parliament must take place before the changes can be finalised. The Council’s position marks a step toward regulatory simplification, but the proposed exemptions are not yet final law. (Source: Council of the European Union)