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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].

Advancing bill ushers in ‘big change’ to state program

Published: May 25, 2022
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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.

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Lithium-ion battery recyclers expanding

Published: May 19, 2022
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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.

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Circular economy drawing investment interest

Published: May 12, 2022
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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.

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Researchers propose global ‘ultimate producer responsibility’

Published: May 12, 2022
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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.

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Diversity, equity and inclusion vital to future operations

Published: May 12, 2022
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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.

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Supply chain jam creates long delays for recycling equipment

Published: April 28, 2022
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Aerial shot of port activity.

Snarls in global supply chains are impacting recycling equipment providers and MRF operators in a number of ways. | BaanTaksinStudio/Shutterstock

E-scrap processors and other recycling stakeholders are feeling the pressure of extended lead times for machinery components, forcing them to adapt to yet another pandemic-related market phenomenon.

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Survey shows 18% drop in unused household devices

Published: April 28, 2022
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Worker at an e-scrap facility raking shredded material.

Since Wisconsin’s electronics recycling law took effect in 2010, the DNR has conducted six statewide household recycling surveys. | Courtesy of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Fewer devices were sitting unused in Wisconsin homes in 2021 than three years prior, a report found.

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