Tag Archives: EPR/stewardship

Using eco-modulation to revive eco-design

Published: August 22, 2023
Updated: August 22, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

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.

Groups to EPA: Consider source reduction and EPR

Published: July 25, 2023
Updated: July 25, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

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

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged EPR/stewardship, industry groups, regulation/oversight |

CalRecycle names inaugural packaging EPR advisory board

Published: July 11, 2023
Updated: July 11, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

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.
Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged California, EPR/stewardship, regulation/oversight |

What materials will make the cut under EPR?

Published: June 21, 2023
Updated: June 21, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

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?

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged EPR/stewardship, legislation |

Connecticut legislature passes PCR, gasification bill

Published: June 13, 2023
Updated: June 13, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

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

Posted in News | Tagged EPR/stewardship, legislation |

Packaging EPR bill gets end-of-session push in New York

Published: June 6, 2023
Updated: June 6, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

New York state capitol building in Albany.

The amended extended producer responsibility bill enjoys support from Members of New York’s legislature, but faces opposition from several brands and industry groups. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock

Some New York legislators are pushing to see extended producer responsibility for packaging pass this year. With days left in the session, they’ve reintroduced what they see as a compromise bill.
Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged EPR/stewardship, industry groups, legislation |

Transparency, more investment will aid circular economy

Published: May 31, 2023
Updated: June 1, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

Panelists speaking during a recent webinar focused on the need to build up infrastructure and target investments toward existing gaps in the system. | Mameraman/Shutterstock

During a recent Financial Times webinar, experts from industry and government agreed that the future holds ample potential for investment in recycling. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged Asia, collection, EPR/stewardship |

Greenpeace claims recycling complicates plastics toxicity

Published: May 23, 2023
Updated: May 24, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

Plastic flake with baled plastic in background.

The latest report from Greenpeace says recycled plastics are more toxic than their virgin counterparts. | RecycleMan/Shutterstock

Greenpeace is spotlighting what it calls toxic chemicals in recycled plastics. The group is also calling for global plastics agreement negotiators to focus on reduction. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged EPR/stewardship, research |

Why material processors are hesitant about EPR

Published: May 9, 2023
Updated: May 9, 2023
by Dan Leif

Collection trucks parked outside of Waste Expo in New Orleans last week. In sessions, leaders from various haulers and facility operators discussed recycling policy. | Dan Leif/Plastics Recycling Update

At Waste Expo last week, executives from several materials recovery facility operators and private-sector recyclers detailed concerns about material ownership and “stranded assets” as recycling policy evolves. At the same time, some MRF leaders voiced clear support for extended producer responsibility frameworks. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged EPR/stewardship, legislation, markets, MRFs |

Colorado chooses brand group to lead EPR

Published: May 2, 2023
Updated: May 2, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

The Circular Action Alliance will serve to coordinate producer responsibility efforts around the recovery of plastics and other forms of packaging, as well as paper, in Colorado. | Konektus Photo/Shutterstock

In a big step toward implementing one of the nation’s first extended producer responsibility programs for packaging, Colorado selected Circular Action Alliance as its producer responsibility organization. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged brand owners, EPR/stewardship, legislation |