Marissa Heffernan worked at Resource Recycling from January 2022 through June 2025, first as staff reporter and then as associate editor. 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 were also the editor of the monthly newsletter Policy Now.
The New York City Council aims to overhaul organics collection, and legislators in Connecticut face criticism from environmentalists over their embrace of gasification. | Esse David Falls/Shutterstock
Members of the New York City Council are looking to amp up organics recycling and push forward on zero-waste goals. Meanwhile, a bill that focuses on gasification facilities awaits the Connecticut governor’s signature. Continue Reading
The federal agency is chiefly concerned with the batteries’ propensity for starting fires. | Allyson Kitts/Shutterstock
The U.S. EPA recently clarified that lithium-ion batteries should be treated as hazardous waste, but did not yet change current recycling rules and regulations. Continue Reading
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