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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. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Committee explores federal role in packaging EPR

Published: March 13, 2024
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The Senate Committee of Environment & Public Works held a hearing on extended producer responsibility for consumer packaging with speakers from the World Wildlife Fund, S. C. Johnson & Son and AMERIPEN. | DeawSS/Shutterstock

Industry representatives from across the plastic chain – as well as an environmental NGO – all told a federal committee that they think federal extended producer responsibility for packaging is worth considering.  Continue Reading

Foam Recycling Coalition, Vinyl Institute hand out grants

Published: February 28, 2024
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grant funding

Two industry organizations have given more than $1.3 million in grants over the last several months. | Dmitry Demidovich/Shutterstock

In the last several months, the Foodservice Packaging Institute’s Foam Recycling Coalition has given out multiple grants for foam densifiers and the Vinyl Institute awarded nine grants to improve PVC recycling systems.  Continue Reading

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‘Fraud’ report traces history of recycling campaigns

Published: February 21, 2024
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The report from the Center for Climate Integrity calls for Big Oil and the plastics industry to be held accountable “for their campaign of deception.” | Maryshot/Shutterstock

A new report, “The Fraud of Plastic Recycling,” argues there has been a “decades-long campaign of fraud and deception about the recyclability of plastics.” In response, recycling groups highlighted current plastics diversion successes and technology investments. Continue Reading

Arizona partnership micro-factory will process PP, PE

Published: February 21, 2024
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A partnership between the city of Phoenix, Arizona State University (ASU), Goodwill of Northern and Central Arizona and Hustle PHX will recycle several hundred tons of PE and PP into local end markets. | Courtesy of Goodwill of Northern and Central Arizona.

For years, recycling collection has focused on centralizing material and processing high volumes. An Arizona project is exploring other options with a micro-factory. Continue Reading

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Hawai’i Megaplastic Pollution Research Center takes shape

Published: February 14, 2024
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The Hawai’i Pacific University’s Center for Marine Debris Research created a Megaplastic Pollution Research Program to accelerate plastic marine debris removal and recycling in the Hawaiian Islands. | Richard Chapman – UK/Shutterstock

Marine pollution abatement, a boost to the local economy and a way to help solve the local housing crisis: A proposed project to turn marine plastic into durable infrastructure could provide all three on the island of Oahu, Hawai’i. Continue Reading

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