Back to Top

Author Archives: Colin Staub

About Colin Staub

Colin-StaubColin Staub is a reporter at Resource Recycling. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Fast fashion company starts chemical recycling project

Published: February 4, 2025
Updated:
by

Shein’s interest in chemical recycling comes as the company works toward a goal to increase annual recycled polyester use from 7.9% to 31% in its apparel by 2030. | Graffitimi/Shutterstock

Editor’s note: Learn more about textile recycling and many other topics at the upcoming Textile Recovery Summit, part of the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland. 

Global clothing e-commerce retailer Shein has developed a chemical recycling process alongside a Chinese research university and is planning to start up a facility in June, producing 6.6 million pounds per year of chemically recycled polyester for use in its apparel. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

Zeldin confirmed as EPA administrator

Published: February 4, 2025
Updated:
by

The U.S. EPA carries out a variety of recycling industry-supportive work through its Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery. | Tada Images/Shutterstock

There are few indications how incoming U.S. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin might shift the agency’s solid waste and recycling work, but he won the support of multiple recycling industry associations, and stakeholders say he likely brings an understanding of local solid waste management challenges. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged |

Oakland recycling contract scheme draws federal scrutiny

Published: January 28, 2025
Updated:
by

The former mayor of Oakland, Calif., and the CEO of California Waste Solutions have both been charged with bribery and fraud over an alleged agreement to extend a hauling contract in return for campaign support. | Phanphen Kaewwannarat/Shutterstock

Federal prosecutors say a former California mayor received bribery payments and services in exchange for agreeing to extend a recycling contract. Now all involved are facing federal charges for bribery or fraud. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Industry association launches film drop-off guide

Published: January 23, 2025
Updated:
by

The guide directs users to various retail and other collection sites around the U.S. that accept film for drop-off recycling. | Ivanova Tetyana/Shutterstock

Editor’s note: Learn more about film recycling trends and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , , |

How a famed ski region plans to improve diversion

Published: January 23, 2025
Updated:
by

Recycle Utah is working to bring a diverse array of shareholders together on a $25 million MRF project. | Photo courtesy Recycle Utah

Summit County, Utah, boasts one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S., bringing tourists from around the world to experience the majestic slopes in Park City. The region has even been selected as the site of the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

MRF and collection worker deaths climbed in 2023

Published: January 7, 2025
Updated:
by
Safety vests and hard hats hanging on a wall.

While overall workplace fatalities decreased in the U.S. in 2023, the waste and recycling industry was a troubling outlier. | Wave Break Media/Shutterstock

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.

Nine workers died in U.S. materials recovery facilities in 2023 and the death rate for refuse and recyclable material collectors jumped more than 80%, according to the latest annual numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , , |

Recycling manager gets prison time for revenue theft

Published: December 17, 2024
Updated:
by

Former Environmental Manager Michael Mayfield received a three-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million in restitution. | Proxima Studio/Shutterstock

A former Mars Wrigley employee who managed on-site recycling programs at a production facility will serve prison time after he admitted to stealing more than $1 million in recycled commodity revenues. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged |

Price increases help end user offset higher OCC

Published: December 10, 2024
Updated:
by
Corrrugated boxes at the factory.

Over the course of the year, Greif reported its paper packaging and services division saw $2.3 billion in sales, up 2% year over year. | Pitipat Wongprasit/Shutterstock

Paper packaging giant Greif is the latest containerboard producer to announce a price hike for the recycled fiber end product at the beginning of 2025, employing a tool the company has used throughout this year to offset higher OCC feedstock costs and account for other cost growth. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged |