A recent update to the Michigan Gap Analysis, which was conducted by RRS (Resource Recycling Systems) and looked at factors influencing materials recovery in the state, indicates approximately 38% of material disposed of in Michigan (or 3 million tons annually) is organic and compostable. Of organic material going to landfill, the largest portion (46%) is food waste. In contrast, yard...

Historically, recycled plastic resin and bale prices have closely tracked virgin resin pricing. High virgin resin prices create good times for plastic reclaimers. Conversely the remarkably low virgin resin prices experienced across most plastic types in the last few years have made it tough for reclaimers to pass on a value to material recovery facilities (MRFs) and make any profit...

Recycling apps are an interactive mobile or online tool increasingly used by communities and haulers to communicate with residents. These apps allow residents to search for specific packaging and material types to learn the appropriate ways to recycle or discard them. Additionally, they can provide customized information on pick-up schedules, holiday breaks and other details pertaining to local materials recovery....

As the recycling sector continues to position itself as an important component of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within communities, stakeholders should understand details on the levels of methane-rich landfill gas created from landfilled waste. What happens to that methane and what systems are in place to minimize its leakage into the atmosphere? The vast majority of municipal solid...

Historically, recycled plastic resin and bale prices have closely tracked virgin resin pricing. High virgin resin prices create good times for plastic reclaimers. Conversely the remarkably low virgin resin prices experienced across most plastic types in the last few years have made it tough for reclaimers to pass on a value to material recovery facilities (MRFs) and make any profit...

Cities with thriving downtowns face multiple challenges regarding solid waste management, including space constraints, varying frequency of service needs, data inconsistencies, and complications in incorporating recycling collection. Through the development of a waste reduction and recycling master plan, the city of Ferndale, Mich. sought to explore potential opportunities to ensure waste needs are met and diversion programs thrive in its...

Recycled-content commitments by consumer packaged goods companies and fashion brands have driven demand for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) to a level that exceeds available supply. U.S. beverage brands are estimated to require approximately 1.1 billion pounds of bottle-grade RPET in the next decade to meet their recycled content goals – that’s almost three times the 333 million pounds of bottle-grade...

Consumer-product packaging has evolved significantly over the past 25 years, challenging curbside recycling systems. In November 2019, the U.S. EPA released the annual national waste report, “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures.” RRS regularly analyzes data from this major source, as well as others, to track key trends by packaging category. The chart below shows how tonnages of different...

RRS analyzed MRF ownership in North America and found that over 50% of facilities are operated by one of four large waste companies: Waste Management, Republic Services, Waste Connections or GFL Environmental. Recent acquisitions have underscored this long-running trend toward consolidation: Republic acquired ReCommunity; Waste Connections bought Superior and Progressive; GFL purchased Canada Fibers, Alpine and America Waste; and Waste...

RRS analyzed the various pieces that contribute to processing costs for materials recovery facilities: fixed costs, variable operating and maintenance costs, and the cost of disposing residue. A variety of factors are leading to increases in all of those areas. MRFs’ fixed costs have more than doubled from 2009 to 2018. This is due to MRFs investing in new technology...