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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].

Ethics complaint filed in SB 54 back-and-forth

Published: March 5, 2025
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Baled plastics for recycling.

An anonymous complaint asked California’s Fair Political Practices Commission to investigate Rachel Wagoner for a violation of a ban that prevents former regulators from receiving compensation to work against the state on matters that were under their purview. | Zlikovec/Shutterstock

A formal ethics complaint has been lodged against Rachel Wagoner, formerly the director of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery who is now with producer responsibility organization Circular Action Alliance. The complaint alleges that she is lobbying her former agency in violation of a state “switching sides” ban. Continue Reading

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Authors address error in black plastic additive study

Published: March 5, 2025
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A highly publicized study on the presence of flame retardants in black plastic household products contained a calculator error, the authors announced. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling

Last year, a study suggested that household products containing plastic possibly recovered from electronics had high levels of flame retardants – but the authors issued a correction to the work after finding a miscalculation. Continue Reading

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INC-5.2 for global plastic treaty to be held in August

Published: March 5, 2025
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Having left South Korea without a treaty, delegates from around the world will reconvene in Switzerland in August to keep working to address global plastic pollution. | Nexus 7/Shutterstock

Several months after wrapping what was intended to be the final negotiations on a global plastic pollution management treaty, the United Nations Environment Programme has announced the dates for extended talks.  Continue Reading

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Oregon is first to approve EPR plan

Published: February 26, 2025
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Oregon capitol building with trees in bloom.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced it approved a program plan on Feb. 21. | Yanqiang Dai/Shutterstock

After several years of work, Oregon has approved an extended producer responsibility plan, laying out how packaging producers are expected to fulfill the requirements of the law.   Continue Reading

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Oregon simplifies EPR exemption process

Published: February 20, 2025
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Plastic pallet wrap is one material that’s eligible for an exemption from the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging program. | St.Marco/Shutterstock

The Product Stewardship Institute and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality explained the different exemptions available to producers under the state’s incoming extended producer responsibility for packaging law in a recent webinar. Continue Reading

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Australian grocers offered more time on film stockpile

Published: February 12, 2025
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Bales of plastic films for recycling.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is proposing a year-long extension for three major grocery chains to recycle 11,000 metric tons of stockpiled soft plastics. | Taniascamera/Shutterstock

Grocery chains in Australia may get even more time to deal with a huge film and flexible plastic buildup.  Continue Reading

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Plastics processor launches recycled PS, ABS resins

Published: February 12, 2025
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Plastic Recycling, Inc. has invested a total of $17 million of dollars into extrusion lines and labs to create recycled ABS and PS compounds from e-plastics. | Courtesy of Plastic Recycling Inc.

Midwest-based Plastic Recycling, Inc. is looking to provide compounds for OEMs and automotive manufacturers that fit a wide range of specifications and just happen to be made from e-scrap.  Continue Reading

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PCR mandates, global policy needed to improve rates

Published: February 12, 2025
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PETCORE Europe supports ecomodulation and plastic reduction, according to chairman Antonello Ciotti. | DonPablo Lorez/Shutterstock

The basis for Europe’s 72% collection rate of PET comes down to regulation and collaboration, Antonello Ciotti, chairman of PETCORE Europe, said in a recent podcast.  Continue Reading

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Producers submit EPR plan in Colorado

Published: February 5, 2025
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Colorado’s extended producer responsibility for packaging program is slated to fully roll out in 2026. | AustralianCamera/Shutterstock

Circular Action Alliance submitted its initial extended producer responsibility plan to Colorado’s advisory board, taking another step on the state’s path to implementation.  Continue Reading

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Hawaii Pacific opens summer short classes on plastics

Published: January 29, 2025
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The target audience for the short courses is those in plastics recycling and manufacturing, as well as early-career ocean professionals. | Wonderful Nature/Shutterstock

Hawaii Pacific University is offering plastics- and recycling-related short courses over the summer that are aimed at plastics professionals.  Continue Reading

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