Marissa Heffernan worked at Resource Recycling from January 2022 through June 2025, first as staff reporter and then as associate editor. Marissa 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 were also the editor of the monthly newsletter Policy Now.
A study from The Recycling Partnership found that seven out of 10 cardboard boxes, three out of four milk jugs, four out of five steel cans, three out of four tons of mixed paper and seven out of 10 glass bottles, aluminum cans and PET bottles are put in trash bins in homes. | Volt Collection/Shutterstock
A study from The Recycling Partnership proposed ways to raise the recycling rate of residential recyclables – which the group puts at 21%.
A court case challenging Canada’s ban on some single-use plastic items is moving through the court system and appears poised to head to the Supreme Court. | Pavel Kubarkov/Shutterstock
A federal judge quashed an order from the Canadian government declaring all plastics to be toxic substances, but the effect of the ruling is still unclear.
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery published drafts of its covered material list categories for the extended producer responsibility for packaging program, among other announcements. | Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock
California is moving ahead on implementation of its extended producer responsibility law. The state agency recently released a draft of the regulations and selected a producer responsibility organization. Continue Reading
Illinois stakeholders have been workshopping a beverage container deposit return system under Senate Bill 85. | alenka2194/Shutterstock
Illinois may or may not be the next state to pass a bill setting up a beverage container deposit return system under Senate Bill 85, and industry players recently debated the benefits and concerns around the bill.
A group of Canadian packaging stakeholders are exploring ways to optimize the recycling system for flexible plastics. | Patpitchaya
Results from the first phase of a study into Canada’s recycling system found that flexible materials account for 47% of the plastic packaging put on the Canadian market. Continue Reading
Experts in EPR compliance say the best time to prepare is right now, and there are resources that can help. | Konektus Photo/Shutterstock
The first packaging data reporting deadline for extended producer responsibility programs doesn’t come until 2025, which seems far in the future, but compliance experts are warning that companies should start the massive undertaking now.
The bag, which has up to 30% PCR, is for Andy Boy romaine hearts. | Courtesy of Emerald Packaging
Flexible packaging company Emerald Packaging has released a plastic bag for romaine hearts that has up to 30% PCR. Continue Reading
A handful of states have modernized their bottle bills in recent years, and pressure to enact programs in non-bottle-bill states appears to be growing, according to panelists on a recent webinar. | Monticello/Shutterstock
Deposit return systems are poised to take center legislative stage in the coming years, with strong potential benefits for the environment and economy, the Container Recycling Institute noted in a recent analysis and webinar. Continue Reading
Myplas USA brought its 170,000-square-foot mechanical recycling and pelletizing facility in Minnesota on-line, creating an outlet for flexible film. | Joyce Blessthink/Shutterstock
Reclaimer Myplas USA brought its Minnesota processing facility on-line this month, bringing an annual 90 million pounds of flexible film recycling capacity to the area. Continue Reading
Birch Plastics can produce about 800,000 pounds of FDA-approved natural PP per month. | StanislauV/Shutterstock
Texas-based Birch Plastics recently received a letter of no objection from the U.S. FDA for a line of recycled PP that can be used in all food and cosmetic applications. Continue Reading