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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].

Groups to EPA: Consider source reduction and EPR

Published: July 25, 2023
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Plastics waste on a beach seen from above.

Marine pollution was a focus of a number of industry and environmental groups offering thoughts on the U.S. EPA’s plastics strategy. | Mario De Moya F/Shutterstock

Ahead of a July 31 deadline, the EPA has received nearly 100 comments on its draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, many of them calling for federal-level programs. Continue Reading

Encina chemical recycling project moves ahead

Published: July 25, 2023
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The Clean Air Council argued the state had erroneously exempted a planned chemical recycling facility from having to obtain a processing facility permit. | Vitte Yevhen/Shutterstock

A Pennsylvania environmental hearing board dismissed a group’s complaint against Encina Development Group’s planned chemical recycling facility after determining that the action lacked legal standing. Continue Reading

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Study: Feds should pave the way for PCR in roads

Published: July 18, 2023
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Drainage pipes are a form of infrastructure that already typically include recycled plastic. | Courtesy of Advanced Drainage Systems

Not only should the U.S. try to expand and standardize plastics recycling, but it should also consider using the material in various public infrastructure projects, a report suggested.  Continue Reading

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Do deposits decrease beverage sales? Study says no

Published: July 19, 2023
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Grocery store aisle with Coca-Cola products.

The Container Recycling Institute and Reloop released a study showing that deposit return systems do not have a negative effect on beverage sales. | Zety Akhzar/Shutterstock

A study looking at two decades of beverage sale trends around the world found that there was no decrease in sales when deposit return systems went into effect or were expanded.  Continue Reading

Panel explore intricacies of investment partnerships

Published: July 18, 2023
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Panelists (L-R) Kate Davenport with Eureka Recycling, Neil Cameron with Emerald Technology Ventures, Jen Louie with Closed Loop Partners, Aidan Madigan-Curtis with Eclipse Ventures and Ian Arthurs with Circular.co discussed recent investor interest in the recycling sector at the 2023 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Big Wave Productions/Plastics Recycling Update

Recycling entrepreneurs and venture capitalists should ask questions, find the right match and focus on market realities to forge a successful relationship, according to experts from both sides  of the coin. Continue Reading

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Trex releases ESG numbers, eyes sources for PE

Published: July 11, 2023
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film recycling

Data from the decking company shows a drop in the weight of recycled film it used in 2022. | HappyStockPhoto/Shutterstock

Recycled plastic decking company Trex used 337 million pounds of recycled PE film in its products in 2022, it reported, and is taking steps to ensure it can get enough PE in the future.  Continue Reading

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CalRecycle names inaugural packaging EPR advisory board

Published: July 11, 2023
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The board represents a variety of backgrounds and interests, with members coming from industry, manufacturing, environmental groups and municipalities. | Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock

Leaders from Alameda County, Waste Connections and Talco Plastics are among the group of stakeholders that will oversee California’s extended producer responsibility program for packaging and paper.
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