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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].

Recycle BC reports jump in recovery rates

Published: August 1, 2022
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Blue recycling bins lined up against a brick background.

For the second year in a row, Recycle BC observed “significant growth” in collected metric tons, with a 17% increase over the past two years. | Lightspring/Shutterstock

British Columbia’s paper and plastic packaging collection rates have rebounded after pandemic-related challenges, reaching a record-high recovery rate of just over 94%.

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A last-minute twist in effort to expand California bottle bill

Published: August 29, 2022
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Empty glass bottles for recycling.

Some glass recycling advocates have withdrawn their support for proposed California bottle bill legislation in the wake of last-minute amendments. | Fotosr52/Shutterstock

Just days before the end of the legislative session, lengthy amendments were tacked on to California bottle bill expansion legislation, greatly increasing the cost of the program. In response, some previous backers rescinded their support.

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Amazon upped recycled content, reduced packaging in 2021

Published: August 29, 2022
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Amazon warehouse with Chicago skyline in distance.

Amazon recently noted it has on-site plastic film recycling systems at facilities across North America and Europe. | Bret Habura/Shutterstock

Amazon has eliminated more than 1.5 million tons of packaging since 2015 and created programs to increase recycling and diversion, according to its latest sustainability report.

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Tetra Pak launches carton recycling initiative in Vietnam

Published: August 29, 2022
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Juice cartons in store in Vietnam.

A pilot project will bring carton recycling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. | Ho Su A Bi/Shutterstock

Circular Action, Tetra Pak and Packaging Recycling Organisation Vietnam teamed up to create a carton recycling initiative in Vietnam they hope will increase recycling rates and provide income to freelance waste pickers.

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Collaboration sits at heart of the best MRF contracts

Published: August 23, 2022
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Resource Recycling Conference session.

The “Rethinking MRF Contracts” session at this year’s Resource Recycling Conference featured (l to r) moderator Keysha Burton of The Recycling Partnership and speakers Natalie Betts of Balcones Resources and Stephanie Sidler of GFL. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling Inc.

Volatile markets, changing material compositions and aging infrastructure can all be addressed with the right municipal MRF contract. Industry experts discussed how to achieve such arrangements at the Resource Recycling Conference.

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Industry group launches project to gather data, share solutions

Published: August 23, 2022
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Putting bottle into recycling bin.

A new effort from industry group The Recycling Partnership aims to assess and change behavior. | Air Images/Shutterstock

Recycling doesn’t work unless people can put material into the stream, so The Recycling Partnership is expanding its efforts to both understand and change consumer behavior at the bin.
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NERC 2Q bale value report shows upward trend

Published: August 15, 2022
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Recovered fiber bales at a recycling facility.

A recent survey of Northeast MRFs found the blended average value of a ton of recyclables was nearly $170 during the second quarter. | SocoXbreed/Shutterstock

The value of curbside recyclables increased in the second quarter of 2022, according to a bale study conducted by the Northeast Recycling Council.

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C-suite survey shows sustainability top choice for cuts

Published: August 15, 2022
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Business management meeting with documents.

Nearly 40% of surveyed CFOs and CEOs said that sustainability initiatives would be the first cut in tight financial times. | Jirapong Manustrong/Shutterstock

A survey of CEOs and chief financial officers suggested that when businesses are considering cuts amid current economic headwinds, sustainability initiatives are among the first to go.

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