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Author Archives: Marissa Heffernan

About Marissa Heffernan

Marissa HeffernanMarissa Heffernan started working for Resource Recycling in January 2022 after spending several years as a reporter at a daily newspaper in Southwest Washington. After developing a special focus on recycling policy, they are also the editor of the monthly newsletter Policy Now. Heffernan can be contacted at [email protected].

Policy Roundup: Batteries, right to repair are hot topics

Published: January 23, 2025
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A pile of iPhone lithium-ion batteries for recycling.

More than 20 bills concerning electronics recycling so far have been introduced in 14 states for the 2025 legislative session. | Parilov/Shutterstock

Legislators have been filing bills all month as the 2025 session starts up, and in the e-scrap realm, two main topics are again at the forefront: extended producer responsibility for batteries and the right to repair consumer electronics. 

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Malaysia eyes improvements to e-scrap import procedures

Published: January 16, 2025
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Cargo containers stacked at a shipping terminal.

After allegations of illegal e-scrap imports, Malaysia’s Department of Environment announced it would improve standard operating procedures and oversight. | Mayday6510/Shutterstock

On the heels of high-profile illegal e-scrap import claims and updates to the Basel Convention, Malaysian officials said they would be tightening operating procedures.   Continue Reading

Trade tensions emphasize e-scrap recycling needs

Published: December 19, 2024
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Export / MOLPIX, Shutterstock

The U.S. expanded export restrictions to China of chip-making equipment and sanctioned 140 companies, the latest moves in a back-and-forth series of export restrictions. | MOLPIX/Shutterstock

As technology trade tensions between China and the U.S. escalate, bans on trading minerals used in producing LED screens, semiconductors, chips and batteries are again putting the recycling sector in the spotlight.  Continue Reading

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Korea Zinc continues fighting takeover

Published: December 19, 2024
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Korea Zinc logo under magnifying glass

Korea Zinc shareholder Young Poong and private equity firm MBK Partners submitted an unexpected and “uninvited” bid to purchase a majority stake in Korea Zinc in September, which management has been fighting. | Pavel Kapysh/Shutterstock

The power struggle between South Korean smelting company Korea Zinc and a private equity firm that wants to seize control of the company is continuing, with both using press conferences and statements to publicly attack the other’s business decisions. Continue Reading

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Partnerships can make or break insurance deals

Published: December 5, 2024
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While getting insurance for facilities has become much more difficult and costly, working closely with a broker to tell a story of safety can bring down costs, panelists said at the 2024 E-Scrap Conference. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling

Rising insurance costs have been a topic of concern for several years, and while battery-induced fires have caught much of the attention, panelists at the 2024 E-Scrap Conference said there’s more to it – and more options are available to ease the pressure.  Continue Reading

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IEA report calls for scaling up minerals recycling

Published: November 26, 2024
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Open pit copper mine in Arizona.

A new report from the International Energy Agency found that recycling could lower the need for new mining activity by 25% to 40% by 2050, if scaled up properly. | GS Photography/Shutterstock

A report from the International Energy Agency emphasized the “importance of unlocking the potential of recycling” and laid out policy recommendations for scaling up the industry globally.  Continue Reading

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