Marissa Heffernan started working for Resource Recycling in January 2022 after spending several years as a reporter at a daily newspaper in Southwest Washington. After developing a special focus on recycling policy, they are also the editor of the monthly newsletter Policy Now. Heffernan can be contacted at [email protected].
Winter weather and tariffs were top of mind for five of the largest publicly traded garbage and recycling companies in North America in the first quarter of the year. | Republic Services
Bad weather in parts of the country weighed on leading recycling companies’ first-quarter earnings, their leaders said, but overall they saw revenue increases. Continue Reading
The final bill builds on previous legislation, resulting in an EPR program that will take shape in 2028. | Evan Lorne/Shutterstock
After five years of work and many interim steps, Maryland became the sixth U.S. state to pass extended producer responsibility legislation for paper and packaging, continuing the policy’s evolution in the country.
The initial recyclable materials list classifies just under a dozen material types as readily recyclable under Maine’s EPR program, but state representatives emphasized it was a first draft. | KWJPHOTOART/Shutterstock
More than 100 people showed up in-person and virtually to an informal stakeholder meeting on Maine’s draft material types list for the state’s extended producer responsibility program for packaging. Continue Reading
Among other changes, Circular Action Alliance proposed cutting down their time period to review comments on the plan from regulators to 60 days, freeing up three months. | Brandon Bourdages/Shutterstock
The Circular Action Alliance is asking for several changes to extended producer responsibility deadlines in response to the delayed rulemaking on SB 54. Continue Reading
The newly formed Kentucky Recycling Coalition plans to start a summit, do a membership drive and ultimately improve recycling access across the state. | Aspen Rock/Shutterstock
After several years of work, Kentucky is no longer the only state in its region without a state recycling organization. The new Kentucky Recycling Coalition wants to increase access, update a statewide sustainability plan and build up membership. Continue Reading
The legislation is intended to increase access to recycling, as only 58% of jurisdictions in the state provide access to curbside recycling. | Jeffrey-B.-Banke/Shutterstock
Just a week after Maryland became state No. 6 to approve a bill on extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, Washington made No. 7.
Back Market and iFixit announced a broad partnership that will see each integrate the other’s product offerings, as well as direct advocacy on right-to-repair legislation. | Courtesy of Back Market
Two big names in the electronics repair and refurbishment space are partnering up to influence consumer and manufacturer behavior and create a world where circularity is the default. Continue Reading
Allowable inputs for organic agriculture are set at the federal level and haven’t been updated for decades. | Jonathan Lenz/Shutterstock
A deadline coming up in a California labeling bill is causing concern among some manufacturers of compostable products, who say it could threaten the wider U.S. and global compostable packaging industry. Continue Reading
WM plans to spend about $3 billion on 39 recycling facilities and 20 renewable natural gas projects by 2026. | Photo Courtesy of WM
MRFs in Maryland, Texas, Minnesota and Canada re-opened after upgrades that included optical sorters, artificial intelligence and film vacuums.
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Maryland is poised to become the sixth U.S. state to enact an extended producer responsibility law for packaging. | Tokar/Shutterstock
A bill that would set up an extended producer responsibility program for packaging is sitting on the desk of Maryland’s governor after clearing both legislative chambers Monday evening. If it’s signed, Maryland would become the sixth U.S. state to enact such a law. Continue Reading