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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. 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].

Policy updates from the E-Scrap Conference

Published: November 5, 2024
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Emmanuel Nyaletey, founder and CEO of BridgeSolar, speaks during a panel on navigating Basel Convention changes in electronics recycling at the 2024 E-Scrap Conference. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling, Inc.

Chatter about legislative effects on the industry permeated much of the 2024 E-Scrap Conference, especially uncertainty around upcoming changes to the Basel Convention, and several sessions dug deep into new laws and coming policy trends in the e-scrap industry. 

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Organics collection programs take care, creativity

Published: October 29, 2024
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Person with food scraps for composting.

Compost Power uses metroStor bins to collect organics without attracting rats and has added its own graphic wraps to the bins to engage the community. | Gargonia/Shutterstock

Setting up successful organics diversion – whether statewide or just in one city – requires creativity, flexibility and a strong education campaign, presenters at WasteCon 2024 told attendees.  Continue Reading

Novelis sets new recycled content goal

Published: October 29, 2024
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Aluminum can bale close up.

Novelis used about 2.3 million metric tons of recycled aluminum across its operations in 2024. | Pim Pic/Shutterstock

Novelis set a new recycled content goal across its operations of 75% by 2030 – a percentage that its rolled beverage sheet already exceeds.  Continue Reading

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Using automation to improve MRF revenue

Published: October 21, 2024
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Materials on a conveyor at a MRF.

Automation using AI, optical sorters and robotics can also help reduce compliance costs and improve revenue, AMP representatives said in a recent webinar. | Jantsarik/Shutterstock

MRFs looking to improve their profit and loss should consider automation, AMP representatives said in the third installment of the AMP Live Talks webinar series.  Continue Reading

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Recycling trade platform expands offerings

Published: October 21, 2024
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Rebound members can now trade more recycled materials on the platform, including plastics, metal, glass, OCC and e-scrap. | New Africa/Shutterstock

After starting in plastics, an online recycled material trading platform is expanding into glass, metal, rubber, OCC and paper and will soon add e-scrap.  Continue Reading

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Comment period opens for final California EPR rules

Published: October 15, 2024
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California's state capitol building seen with blue sky above.

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery on Oct. 14 opened a 15-day written comment period on permanent regulations for the state’s EPR program. | Jonathan-Lenz/Shutterstock

Producers, recyclers and the public have another chance to comment on California’s SB 54 extended producer responsibility for packaging permanent regulations.

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Amazon shares update on packaging initiatives

Published: October 15, 2024
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Amazon announced it has removed all plastic air pillows from delivery packaging at its global fulfillment centers, replacing them with paper filler. | Photo courtesy of Amazon

Online e-commerce giant Amazon released an update on its sustainability goals, announcing it has hit its goal of replacing plastic air pillows with paper filler throughout North America.

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How2Recycle plans ‘smart’ labels, updates

Published: October 15, 2024
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How2Recycle label on microwave popcorn box.

The new How2Recycle Plus label will include a QR code to provide more detailed recycling acceptance information. | Philip Rozenski/Shutterstock

How2Recycle has announced new looks and capabilities for its labels, including the ability to scan a QR code and access The Recycling Partnership’s Recycle Check data. 

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In nationwide first, California passes EPR for textiles

Published: October 8, 2024
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Textiles collected for recycling Chatham172

The law covers a wide range of clothing but excludes carpet and mattresses, which are covered by other EPR programs in California. | Chatham172/Shutterstock

California has become the first state to approve extended producer responsibility for textiles, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation enacting the program. 

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Summing up California container deposit changes

Published: October 8, 2024
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Several recent California laws are set to reshape the state’s deposit return system. | kornfotocom/Shutterstock

California’s beverage redemption system is undergoing massive change based on a handful of newly enacted laws, and a recent Container Recycling Institute webinar laid out just what alterations are coming. 

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