Back to Top

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. She can be contacted at [email protected].

New research focuses on global metals recycling

Published: June 3, 2022
Updated:

by
Glencore's Mount Isa Mine seen from above.

A report said the world’s stock of raw elements is at risk of running out and called for industries to shift away from mining the Earth to mining old devices for needed material. | Cam Laird/Shutterstock

A study on global metals recycling identified feedstock reliability, technology limitations and product design choices as barriers to increasing recycled metal usage.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

Session focuses on recycling batteries big and small

Published: May 25, 2022
Updated:

by
Wireless headphones and charging case.

A presenter at NERC’s Spring 2022 Conference noted wireless headphones among the many battery-containing devices that are challenging for recycling processors. | aperturesound/Shutterstock

The looming wave of lithium-ion batteries that will need to be recycled generated an engaged discussion at the Northeast Recycling Council’s Spring 2022 Conference.

Continue Reading

Advancing bill ushers in ‘big change’ to state program

Published: May 25, 2022
Updated:

by
South Carolina's state capitol building seen from above.

If the bill passes, South Carolina will be the second state to move to a clearinghouse-style EPR program. | Grindstone Media Group/Shutterstock

South Carolina’s legislature is working out the final details on a bill that eliminates weight targets for electronics collection and instead aims to give consumers easy access to drop off items.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

Lithium-ion battery recyclers expanding

Published: May 19, 2022
Updated:

by
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Li-Cycle's Arizona facility.

Li-Cycle has opened a 140,000 square-foot facility in Arizona with a capacity to process 10,000 tons of materials per year. | Courtesy of Li-Cycle

Lithium-ion battery recyclers are moving forward with new facilities, with Li-Cycle bringing a plant on-line and Blue Whale Materials announcing plans for five plants in the U.S. and Europe.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , |

Circular economy drawing investment interest

Published: May 12, 2022
Updated:

by
Market graph.

Investor interest in waste reduction and recycling is rising steadily, according to an investment manager. | Sittipong Phokawattana/Shutterstock

As aspirations for a circular economy continue to gain traction, some financial index providers are urging investors to take notice of what they call an emerging opportunity.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

Researchers propose global ‘ultimate producer responsibility’

Published: May 12, 2022
Updated:

by
Closeup of an e-scrap motherboard.

Researchers suggest implementing ultimate producer responsibility policy would improve labor conditions for the thousands of people working in the informal waste management sector. | DimiSotirov/Shutterstock

More than two dozen researchers and e-scrap experts from nine countries are calling for a global extended producer responsibility system that ensures European producers take care of e-scrap after it’s exported.

Continue Reading

Diversity, equity and inclusion vital to future operations

Published: May 12, 2022
Updated:

by
Interviewing candidates waiting room.

A presenter at NERC’s Spring Conference encouraged recruitment managers to implement specific practices to reduce bias in hiring decisions.  | fizkes/Shutterstock

Diversity, equity and inclusion are no longer add-ons, but a necessary part of any serious company, panelists at the Northeast Recycling Council’s Spring 2022 Conference said.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged |