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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].

California grants increase deposit return system options

Published: August 28, 2024
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Grants of $70 million will lead to 250 new sites for Californians to redeem used beverage containers. | Pichetw/Shutterstock

In an effort to boost used beverage container redemption access, the state of California provided nearly $70 million in grants to open 250 new redemption sites across the state. Continue Reading

Michigan lawmakers introduce EPR for packaging

Published: August 28, 2024
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Michigan's capitol building with trees and sky.

Michigan is eyeing EPR for packaging, with lawmakers recently introducing a bill that would set specific targets for recycling and reduction. | Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock

Michigan lawmakers have introduced an extended producer responsibility bill for packaging, following the successful passage of a packaging EPR bill in Minnesota.  Continue Reading

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Ridwell strikes a chord with those worried about recycling

Published: August 21, 2024
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Baled clamshells in Ridwell’s Portland facility on Aug. 15, 2024, awaiting shipment to a downstream processor. | Marissa Heffernan/Resource Recycling.

As more consumers turn a skeptical eye to traditional recycling programs, Ridwell, a company that provides curbside collection of hard-to-recycle materials, is growing into numerous markets across the country. And the company is doing it with transparency in mind. Continue Reading

CRI report: DRS redemption rates are dropping

Published: August 14, 2024
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Squashed PET bottle on a white background.

The DRS redemption rate decreases ranged from 1% to 4%, with only two states tallying increases. | photobeps/Shutterstock

New data from the Container Recycling Institute showed falling beverage container redemption rates in most states with deposit return systems in 2023, which advocates said shows the need to modernize aging systems. 

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Jeff Fielkow named as Circular Action Alliance CEO

Published: August 14, 2024
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Circular Action Alliance hired Jeff Fielkow as CEO, putting him at the head of an organization with ambitious extended producer responsibility goals. | Monticello/Shutterstock

Circular Action Alliance picked Jeff Fielkow as CEO, putting the industry veteran at the head of several fast-paced plans to roll out extended producer responsibility laws for paper and packaging. 

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Haulers predict strong year after Q2 revenues

Published: August 7, 2024
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Republic Services truck making residential collections.

Five large publicly traded North American haulers recently reported their second-quarter earnings. | LV Olga/Shutterstock

Rising commodity prices were a boon for major recycling operators in the second quarter of the year, and they’re now anticipating better full-year results than they initially expected.
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Oil brands form PRO to handle packaging

Published: July 31, 2024
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Petroleum product brands have formed a producer responsibility organization in response to several extended producer responsibility laws. | Andrei Askirka/Shutterstock

Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Valvoline and other petroleum brand owners have formed the Lubricant Packaging Management Association to fulfill their obligations under packaging and household hazardous waste extended producer responsibility laws. Continue Reading

Lawsuit claims plastic bottles are not recycled

Published: July 24, 2024
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PET water bottle necks.

The Plastic Pollution Coalition alleged in a lawsuit that plastic is not designed to be recycled. | Tezzstock/Shutterstock

A group called the Plastic Pollution Coalition filed a false-advertising lawsuit against Danone Waters of America over its marketing of evian bottled water as “sustainable,” “natural” and “healthy.”  Continue Reading

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AMP lays out vision of next-generation, AI-driven MRFs

Published: July 24, 2024
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Mixed plastics for sorting and recycling.

AMP’s systems combine color cameras and AI to improve sorting accuracy in MRFs, but the company founder said there are more ways to harness that power. | Marina Onokhina

Putting AI and robotics into a MRF is one thing. Designing a MRF with AI and robotics makes for an entirely different experience, according to AMP founder and CEO Matanya Horowitz. Continue Reading

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