Content about Recycling

An initial public offering is in the works for Shanghai, China-based TCP International Holdings, maker of energy-efficient light bulbs.

The supplier to Home Depot and Wal-Mart Stores (among many others) makes about 3,500 kinds of compact fluorescent light bulbs, about 275 varieties of even more efficient LEDs and 12 kinds of halogen bulbs.

Demand for wood-plastic composite and plastic lumber, used in decking, railing, trim and other building materials, is projected to rise 13% per year until 2015, according to a report from The Freedonia Group.

Choosing material for a new deck used to be a simple proposition: There were pressure-treated lumber, which most people used, or fancier woods such as cedar, redwood and mahogany. Then came Trex, and a bunch of other composites, and the alternative decking market exploded. Cellular PVC, capped versus non-capped, decking made from recycled nylon carpet, special fasteners, not to mention all those railing systems.

The phaseout of the standard, energy-inefficient incandescent light bulb has caused confusion, controversy and more than a few myths as the 2012 deadline approaches. Thomas Edison’s descendents have even been dragged into the controversy. Separating fact from fallacy is not all that difficult (as long as you steer away from politics). After interviewing manufacturers, retailers and trade organizations involved in the world of light bulb commerce, Home Channel News has put together a list of misconceptions about the upcoming phaseout. 


RONA, the largest Canadian retailer of hardware, renovation, and gardening products, has expanded their in-store paint recovery and recycling program to British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. RONA says it's now the first retailer to collect and recycle old and unused household paints from consumers in Western Canada.

An article in the New York Times sheds light on how some high-end designers view energy rules governing the use of incandescent light bulbs.

The article states that anxiety and stockpiling are some of the results of legislation designed to save energy by phasing out certain incandescent light bulbs, and phasing in compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Trex Co., a leading manufacturer of composite decking, has acquired the assets of Iron Deck Corp., a manufacturer of steel deck framing systems based in Denver. Trex said it will now manufacture and market a new steel deck framing product called Trex Elevations at its Fernley, Nev., and Winchester, Va., facilities.

Insulfoam, producer of engineered expanded polystyrene (EPS) block-molded insulation products, expanded into western Pennsylvania. Manufacturing is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2011 in a 200,000 square-foot facility, located in Smithfield, Pa.

Insulfoam will share the plant with sister company Hunter Panels.

An article in the Toronto Star reported that Ontario taxpayers have been hit with an $18.6 million bill for the province's eco-fee program, discontinued last summer after an outcry from consumers who noticed extra charges on their receipts.

Vienna, Austria-based Mondi industrial Bags developed its Green Range line of industrial bags to help support the sustainability agenda of customers across multiple industries.

"Waste prevention, re-usage, recycling and composting will be the key words for sustainable packaging in the future," the company said in a prepared statement.

While more than one-third of Americans are aware of the federal phaseout of incandescent light bulbs, the majority of consumers have yet to learn that the 100-watt bulb is scheduled to disappear from store shelves beginning in 2012. This is one of the many findings of an Osram Sylvania consumer survey involving 300 homeowners and renters nationwide.