As programs and companies around the nation take part in the annual U.S. celebration of materials recovery, we chatted with a representative of Keep America Beautiful (KAB). Tyler Orton is manager of recycling programs at KAB, a national nonprofit that has helped grow America Recycles Day over the past 20 years. Can you talk about any differences in this year's...

It's here! America Recycles Day – the nationwide event that encourages recycling – is being marked by thousands of events all across the country. Held every Nov. 15, America Recycles Day is an initiative by the nonprofit group Keep America Beautiful (KAB). The organization provides tools to municipalities, schools, businesses and other groups on how to hold an America Recycles...

The codes the government uses to identify industries can be confusing for companies to navigate. The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) has published a white paper providing guidance on the codes specific to the waste and recycling industries. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is used for reporting purposes by government agencies such as the Bureau of Labor...

A year ago, a federal official temporarily granted individuals and companies alike the right to unlock used phones and tablets. Now, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is asking to make that ruling permanent. "ISRI does not see any need to limit the types of mobile communication devices that can be lawfully unlocked, since new types of devices through...

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration isn't the reason a recycling firm should be concerned about safety. An industry expert said recycling companies of all kinds – from e-scrap processors to materials recovery facilities – should make safety a priority because it's the right thing to do. But even with that said, it's important to be prepared for OSHA. In...

PET bottle collection and recycling in Europe continues to grow, according to the PET Recycling in Europe 2015 report. The report says more than 1.9 million short tons of PET bottles were collected and recycled in 2015. That is up 5 percent from 2014. The collection rate for PET bottles in the European market is now 59 percent. The report...

A report from several nonprofit conservation groups examines the most common plastic marine litter found in California. It also proposes alternatives for the items. The Plastics BAN (Better Alternatives Now) List found that food wrappers and containers, including chip bags and cookie trays, are the top form of litter found on California beaches. The authors of the report encourage grocers...

With the long election season finally over, our election signs can now forget their divisive past and begin anew as toys, lawn chairs or trash cans. Plastics reclaimers, including KW Plastics, are expecting to see a bump in plastics from yard signs. At least two materials recovery facilities (MRFs) sell their signs to KW – Alpine Waste & Recycling in...

One of the largest blow molders in the U.S. has purchased one of Europe's largest bottle reclaimers. Michigan-based Plastipak has purchased Evolve Polymers, which has a plant in the U.K. Plastipak manufacturers PET and HDPE rigid packaging in several facilities in Europe, the U.S., South America and Asia. It also operates in the virgin and recycled plastic segments in Europe...

A report from the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) studies organics in the waste stream. The report was written by Chaz Miller, director of policy and advocacy at NWRA and Anne Germain, director of waste and recycling technology for the group. The authors say it is important to discuss organics recovery as more and more states and municipalities look...