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.
From left: Keefe Harrison, Jennifer Russell and Matt Seaholm. | Big Wave Productions/Plastics Recycling Update
How to make plastics sustainable and improve recycling infrastructure was the focus of a recent panel discussion, with stakeholders pointing to transparency, public trust and standardization. Continue Reading
Innovative designers are developing applications for recycled content that range from industrial molding and compounding to residential seating. | Courtesy of Herman Miller
Two companies are marketing chairs made from recycled content, and another two debuted lines of post-consumer polymers.
Continue Reading
In addition to scaling up its polystyrene recycling capabilities, Polystyvert will collaborate with several partners to adapt its technology to handle ABS. | Courtesy of Polystyvert
Montreal-based Polystyvert plans to build its first full-scale commercial PS recycling plant, as well as a pilot-scale plant for ABS. Continue Reading
The recently released material is derived from small domestic appliances collected in the U.K. and the broader EU. | Courtesy of EMR Group
MBA Polymers UK has released a recycled content polymer in response to increased demand from electronics, automotive and cosmetics manufacturers. Continue Reading
Pinning down an accepted materials list means balancing a variety of needs and interests. | nate samui/Shutterstock
States with extended producer responsibility programs are starting to grapple with a tricky question: How do we establish a list of materials covered by the system?
While its recycled content mandate would generally be considered a sustainability win, the bill’s text regarding gasification has drawn criticism from environmental groups. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock
A bill that focuses on PCR requirements and gasification facilities awaits Gov. Ned Lamont’s signature. Continue Reading
The two projects combined represent $90 million of investment. | Rene Notenbomer/Shutterstock
West Virginia will serve as the base for two chemical recycling and plastic-to-fuel facilities, one run by Clean Vision and the other by Empire Green Generation. Continue Reading
The collection push aims to provide more RPET for processing into food-grade resin. | Pook jun/Shutterstock
The Mexican Coca-Cola Industry and bottle recycler PetStar plan to invest $14.8 million to add 15 PET collection facilities across Mexico in 2023 and expand some existing facilities. Continue Reading
The program will be run by the Circular Great Lakes, an initiative of the Council on the Great Lakes Region. | Vladimir Martinov/Shutterstock
Every spring, millions of pounds of plastic films used to winterize boats are sent to landfill. Several Chigaco-area groups are looking to divert that material. Continue Reading
The companies are responding to packaging regulations and consumer demand. | Courtesy of Indorama and Evertis
PET film company Evertis and chemical company Indorama Ventures are collaborating to make PET thermoforms more circular. Continue Reading