Back to Top

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].

MRFs, reclaimers get PET grants

Published: April 17, 2023
Updated:

by
PET bales stacked for recycling.

Recipients will put the grant money toward growing their processing capabilities. | Menzl Guenter/Shutterstock

Five grants from an initiative of The Recycling Partnership are projected to boost PET capture by 5.1 million pounds per year, among other improvements.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged |

Lessons from France: Eco-modulated fees not used effectively

Published: May 30, 2023
Updated:

by

Analysts speaking in a recent GAIA webinar said eco-modulated fees on packaging fail to incentivize reduction and reuse. | Photoeu/Shutterstock

As extended producer responsibility programs for packaging start to take hold in the U.S., many are looking to Europe for ideas. Several stakeholders in the decades-old French system shared some lessons they’ve learned, including that eco-modulated fees have not achieved their desired effect.   Continue Reading

Flexible film recycling pilot launches in Canada

Published: May 30, 2023
Updated:

by

PRFLEX will employ consulting firms to first gather data on film recycling, then propose solutions to improve collection and get more recycled film into packaging. | Courtesy of PRFLEX

A number of circularity organizations have collaborated to launch PRFLEX, an effort to improve flexible plastic recycling in Canada.  Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , |

Updates from the aluminum recycling sector

Published: May 15, 2023
Updated:

by
Empty aluminum beverage cans arranged in rows.

Big moves are taking place in the world of aluminum recycling. | Anmbph/Shutterstock

After a year of high inflation and geopolitical turmoil, Novelis boosted its use of recycled material as part of its strategy to control costs. In addition, Arconic was acquired by a private equity group. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

Vermont bottle bill expansion in limbo

Published: May 15, 2023
Updated:

by
glass recycling

The Vermont House has not yet had a chance to vote on the Senate’s amended version of the bill. | Bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock

A bill that would expand Vermont’s deposit return system to include more container types over the next several years did not get a final vote before the end of the session. Continue Reading

Green Guide updates draw over 850 comments

Published: May 1, 2023
Updated:

by

Remarks from industry groups focused on such topics as uniformity of standards, using data to back policy and recognition of the ever-changing recycling landscape. | G0d4ather/Shutterstock

The Federal Trade Commission requested comments on its revisions to the Green Guides and got 850 responses, with many calling for a crackdown on deceptive claims and better definitions of key terms.  Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |