Marissa Heffernan moderates a panel at the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Big Wave Photography / Resource Recycling.
When I started working for Resource Recycling, I thought I knew quite a bit about recycling. After all, I grew up in a bottle bill state, turning in cans for candy money, and was the child checking neighbors’ recycling bins to make sure they were using it right.
I quickly realized how little I knew. Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of learning so much from all of you, who have answered my questions, given me interviews and explained all those acronyms. I dove into the complexities of recycling legislation, but also battery chemistries, resin codes and pricing trends.
I’ve enjoyed covering extended producer responsibility for packaging in all seven states to pass it so far, as well as the right-to-repair movement, alternative collection systems, IT asset disposition (ITAD) security risks, deposit return systems (DRS), industry partnerships and also bankruptcies.
I found not just topics I enjoy writing about, but people I enjoy talking to. I pushed my own boundaries — for a journalist used to being behind-the-scenes, getting on stage, moderating panels and speaking on podcasts was a stretch for me. So too was starting a newsletter with my own voice, but after Policy Now gained more than 10,000 subscribers in a year, I can only thank each and every one of you for the support.
All this is just the leadup to a bittersweet announcement: My last day with Resource Recycling was June 27.
However, it’s a bit of a “not goodbye, but see you later” situation. I am not leaving the industry, but shifting to a freelance role. You will likely still see my name in our publications from time to time, and my red plaid blazer at shows.
I deeply appreciate all of you who have read my work, picked up my calls and sent me those “did you see this” emails. As a journalist, there’s nothing more gratifying than getting a response to a story – as I have replied to many of you, it’s always nice to know I’m not simply shouting into the void when I write.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop talking about recycling policy, and the legislative firehose shows no signs of losing pressure. Find me on LinkedIn to — as always — send me your favorite bill.
–Marissa Heffernan started at Resource Recycling in 2022 as a reporter, becoming co-associate editor in 2024.