Associate Editor Jared Paben has worked for Resource Recycling since December 2014. Most of his earlier career was spent as a reporter for the daily newspaper in Bellingham, Wash., but he also has experience working for the Oregon volunteerism commission and for Oregon nonprofits serving low-income populations. He can be contacted at [email protected].
California will fall short of its 75% recycling rate goal for 2020, state officials acknowledged in a recent report. | Johnny Habell/Shutterstock
California and Oregon recently reported lower statewide diversion rates, a trend that’s been ongoing for multiple years in both states.
The Continuous Improvement Fund recently released a guide to help recycling managers create contingency plans. | smolaw/Shutterstock
The coronavirus pandemic has made clear the importance of having a contingency plan when the unexpected strikes recycling programs. A new tool helps municipalities develop such guidance.
In 2019, California’s glass bottle manufacturers used over 475,000 tons of cullet. | journeyman777/Shutterstock
Glass bottles produced in California had greater average recycled content in 2019, according to recently released data. For fiberglass insulation, the recycled content was roughly flat.
California’s glass bottle and fiberglass insulation manufacturers continue to use less recycled cullet in their products, state documents show.
Because of business and public drop-off site closures and public anxiety about virus transmission, e-scrap collections are down across North America. | Dan Leif/ Resource Recycling, Inc.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to major reductions in the collection of used consumer electronics across North America, with some recycling companies reporting volume drops up to 80%.
The coronavirus is having widespread impacts. | vchal/Shutterstock
Waste Management suspends sorting of residential materials at a handful of California MRFs, local governments around the country lay off workers, and the Canadian government readies help for beleaguered businesses.
IT asset disposition company EPC reported a sharp increase in demand for notebook, tablet and desktop PCs throughout the U.S. and Canada as the need to work from home grows. | Sally B/Shutterstock
Electronics recycling and reuse companies across the U.S. say the coronavirus and resulting work-from-home orders have energized the market for refurbished electronics. In some cases, they can’t keep up with the needs of customers.
A number of recycling companies donated N95 masks that will provide essential protection to medical workers. | Abdalrhman Usama/Shutterstock
Even as recycling companies adapt to keep their employees and businesses healthy, some are donating supplies to ensure healthcare workers are protected, as well.
The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes $377 billion for small businesses. | ItzaVU/Shutterstock
The bipartisan stimulus bill signed into law by President Trump last week includes hundreds of billions of dollars in assistance to small businesses.
Battery fires are an increasingly relevant concern for recycling facilities. | zeyaman/Shutterstock
A recently published guidance document helps recycling facilities draft plans to avert and mitigate fires.