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Author Archives: Marissa Heffernan

About Marissa Heffernan

Marissa HeffernanMarissa Heffernan started working for Resource Recycling in January 2022 after spending several years as a reporter at a daily newspaper in Southwest Washington. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Comments on plastics strategy urge source reduction, EPR

Published: August 7, 2023
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Plastics littering a beach in Malaysia.

Many responses from environmental groups focused on the need for the U.S. EPA’s National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution to rein in the generation of new plastics. | Rich Carey/Shutterstock

The U.S. EPA asked for input on its draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, and recycling industry stakeholders have answered.  Continue Reading

Biden-Harris admin aims for more sustainable procurement

Published: August 7, 2023
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A federal purchasing rule handed down last week directs agencies to buy sustainable products and avoid those that contain PFAS. | Petrmalinak/Shutterstock

The federal government has announced plans to further prioritize American-made sustainable products and services in its purchasing, including recycled content. Continue Reading

Texas, Florida programs honored for innovations

Published: August 2, 2023
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Denton, Texas was awarded the 2023 Resource Recycling Program of the Year in the Small Community category. | Courtesy of the city of Denton.

Denton, Texas and Sarasota County, Fla. won this year’s Resource Recycling Program of the Year Awards for pushing progress in data collection, resident outreach and more. Continue Reading

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Emerging building material is end use for recyclables

Published: July 31, 2023
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Before commercializing its fire- and mold-resistant construction board, Xeriant plans to secure financing and expand its production capabilities. | Courtesy of Xeriant

Material development company Xeriant is putting the finishing touches on its recycled composite construction panel, which it hopes will “disrupt” the building industry.  Continue Reading

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CalRecycle names its first packaging EPR advisory board

Published: July 10, 2023
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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 stakeholders that will oversee California’s extended producer responsibility program for packaging and paper.
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Study: Deposits have no effect on beverage sales

Published: July 24, 2023
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Grocery store aisle with Coca-Cola products.

The Container Recycling Institute and Reloop released a study showing that deposit return systems do not have a negative effect on beverage sales. | Zety Akhzar/Shutterstock

A study looking at two decades of beverage sale trends around the world found that there was no decrease in sales when deposit return systems went into effect or were expanded.  Continue Reading

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Path to passage: How EPR for HHW became a reality

Published: July 24, 2023
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The bill’s passage follows years of efforts on the part of municipalities and industry groups. | Brandon Bourdages/Shutterstock

Riding the ongoing recycling policy wave, Vermont recently enacted a program nearly a decade in the making that’s designed to put producers in charge of handling household hazardous materials. Continue Reading

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To tackle event venue waste, flexibility is key

Published: July 24, 2023
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Texas-based recycling coordinator CheckSammy is pushing to do more business with events such as fairs and music festivals. | Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Often, recycling services focus on handling the day-to-day stream. CheckSammy entered the scene in 2018 looking to bring more flexibility to the space, and is now helping large event venues divert waste.  Continue Reading

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