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Author Archives: Stefanie Valentic

About Stefanie Valentic

Stefanie Valentic is an award-winning journalist who has covered the waste and recycling industry for more than five years. Throughout her career, she has led editorial teams and served as a keynote speaker, moderator and panelist at numerous trade shows and conferences. Valentic earned a journalism degree with a specialization in business and economics from Ohio University, where she was also a Kiplinger Fellow. She is a member of several organizations, including the Association of Ohio Recyclers, Junior League and the Society of Professional Journalists. She currently serves as a Cuyahoga County Recycling Ambassador and previously held the role of Circular Cleveland Ambassador.

Diversion Dynamics: Vape recycling needs policy to reach full charge

Published: October 23, 2025
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While legislators enact bans that aim to reduce vape waste, manufacturers are creating loopholes around the sale of disposable devices. | B.Robinson/Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: Diversion Dynamics is a monthly column exploring partnerships and policy that drive recycling.

I recently connected with Michael Duckworth, founder of Positive Energy Environmental Solutions, via video conference. Duckworth established the vape recycling company in 2023 after identifying a critical infrastructure gap for vape recycling in Nebraska and nationwide. Continue Reading

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US EPA begins largest lithium-ion battery cleanup effort

Published: October 8, 2025
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Cleanup efforts have been initiated in Moss Landing, California, where a thermal runaway incident destroyed a Vistra facility in January. | Photo courtesy of EPA

As lithium-ion battery fires increasingly threaten recycling facilities and landfills nationwide, the US EPA is preparing to undertake its largest lithium-battery remediation efforts to date.

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E-Scrap EPR round-up part 3: Illinois and Oregon

Published: October 8, 2025
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Oregon and Illinois factor in coordination and collaboration, leveraging PROs to manage e-scrap. | Karen Poghosyan1 / Shutterstock

Editor’s note: With 25 states and the District of Columbia covering 66% of the US population under e-scrap laws, jurisdictions continue to address collection and funding challenges as programs and technology evolve.

This EPR Update series in E-Scrap News examines the latest policy updates from four states navigating these regulatory shifts. Read part one here and part two here. 

Battery recycling legislation is moving through several states, as evidenced at eSummit in Minneapolis in September. Continue Reading

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ABTC shifts to consumer market with Call2Recycle alliance

Published: October 2, 2025
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Collect cellphone batteries for recycling.

American Battery Technology Company and Call2Recycle are partnering to educate consumers on lithium-ion battery recycling, a shift from ABTC’s business-to-business strategy. | Orapruek / Shutterstock

American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) is tapping into nonprofit Call2Recycle’s consumer collection network to advance lithium-ion battery recycling in the United States. Continue Reading

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E-Scrap EPR round-up part 2: California

Published: September 25, 2025
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As California moves to implement SB 1215, the definition of battery-embedded device and the associated fees with the program are at the forefront of discussions. | Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock

Editor’s note: With 25 states and the District of Columbia covering 66% of the US population under e-scrap laws, jurisdictions continue to address collection and funding challenges as programs and technology evolve.

This EPR Update series in E-Scrap News examines the latest policy updates from four states navigating these regulatory shifts. Read part one here.

The West Coast has become a hub of activity in the producer responsibility legislative landscape, with all eyes on California as it prepares to launch an extended fee system covering battery-embedded devices.

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