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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].

Using eco-modulation to revive eco-design

Published: August 22, 2023
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Researcher Reid Lifset sees a lack of good data as a major barrier to eco-modulation achieving its full potential. | Marko Rupena/Shutterstock

Reid Lifset, a longtime member of the faculty at the Yale School of the Environment, wrote the first peer-reviewed academic article on extended producer responsibility in 1993. He’s “been intrigued by it and studying it ever since.” In an interview with Resource Recycling, he talked about his latest research article on eco-modulation and his thoughts on best practices for using eco-modulation to drive eco-design in packaging. 

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Comments to EPA emphasize standardization

Published: August 8, 2023
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Plastics littering a beach in Malaysia.

Many responses from environmental groups focused on the need for the U.S. EPA’s National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution to rein in the generation of new plastics. | Rich Carey/Shutterstock

The U.S. EPA asked for input on its draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, and recycling industry stakeholders have answered.  Continue Reading

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White House shares new sustainable procurement rule

Published: August 8, 2023
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A federal purchasing rule handed down last week directs agencies to buy sustainable products and avoid those that contain PFAS. | Petrmalinak/Shutterstock

The federal government has announced plans to further prioritize American-made sustainable products and services in its purchasing, including recycled content. Continue Reading

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Canada issues grant to develop PPE recycling

Published: August 8, 2023
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Vitacore Industries is among a handful of companies that will receive money from the Canadian government to scale up their technology. | Faizzamal/Shutterstock

Vitacore Industries, a personal protective equipment manufacturer, received 4.18 million Canadian dollars (about $3.17 million) to develop a facility to recycle discarded PPE into building materials.  Continue Reading

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Kraft Heinz aims to eliminate 50,000 tons of virgin plastic

Published: August 1, 2023
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Heinz ketchup and mustard packaging.

On top of its virgin plastic reduction goal, Kraft Heinz is working to eliminate unnecessary plastic and support reuse models. | Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock

If Kraft Heinz achieves a recently announced goal, containers for staple summer condiments such as Heinz ketchup will contain significantly less virgin plastic by 2030. Continue Reading

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How about flexibility is key part of event waste diversion

Published: August 1, 2023
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Texas-based recycling coordinator CheckSammy is pushing to do more business with events such as fairs and music festivals. | Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Often, recycling services focus on handling the day-to-day stream. CheckSammy entered the scene in 2018 looking to bring more flexibility to the space, and is now helping large event venues divert waste.  Continue Reading

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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

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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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