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].
The amended extended producer responsibility bill enjoys support from Members of New York’s legislature, but faces opposition from several brands and industry groups. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock
This story has been updated.
Some New York legislators are pushing to see extended producer responsibility for packaging pass this year. With days left in the session, they’ve reintroduced what they see as a compromise bill. Continue Reading
WWF found that 34% of members’ plastic footprint was recycled, 9% incinerated, 43% landfilled and 15% mismanaged. | Kraft74/Shutterstock
In 2021, major brands increased their use of recycled material and cut back on “problematic plastics,” but the amount of plastic they put on the market grew by over 5%, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
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.
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
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
The toolkit will help ISRI members develop strategies for reaching their ESG goals. | NicoElNino/Shutterstock
Small- and medium-sized recycling businesses that are interested in setting up environmental, social and governance plans will soon have a new toolkit to help them. Continue Reading
Dow donated 1.2 million pounds of resin to be used in the 65-gallon carts. | Courtesy of The Recycling Partnership
Kansas City, Mo. will receive 162,000 carts from The Recycling Partnership, marking the group’s second-largest cart grant to date.
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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
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
The move will result in around 300 employees being laid off. | Joi54/Shutterstock
The Packaging Corporation of America is idling a mill that handles OCC, after adding recycled fiber processing capability in 2021. Continue Reading