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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].

CalRecycle director ‘excited and ready’ for policy challenge

Published: December 2, 2022
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Recycling bins against a red brick wall.

CalRecycle staff are busy developing implementation plans for the state’s EPR program and other new recycling laws. | Lowe Llaguno/Shutterstock

After California’s legislature passed a host of recycling and reuse-related bills, the state’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery is shifting into high gear to turn the mandates into reality. 

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Colorado PRO revises EPR recycling scenarios

Published: March 12, 2024
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Flags of the U.S. and Colorado

Circular Action Alliance revised its draft needs assessment to alter its modeling of recycling scenarios. | Rarrarorro/Shutterstock

At the request of the state, Circular Action Alliance revised its draft needs assessment in Colorado in response to over 100 public and industry comments. Continue Reading

Zero Waste DC plan centers community, collaboration

Published: March 12, 2024
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Trucks at a landfill site from above.

The Zero Waste DC plan’s goal is to divert 80% of the city’s waste stream away from landfill and incineration by 2040. | Janossy Gergely/Shutterstock

The nation’s capital recently finalized a zero-waste plan nearly a decade in the making, one that ecompasses 43 actions such as composting mandates, extended producer responsibility for many materials and single-use plastic bans. Continue Reading

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Report lays out recycling history, ‘fraud’

Published: February 27, 2024
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The report from the Center for Climate Integrity calls for Big Oil and the plastics industry to be held accountable “for their campaign of deception.” | Maryshot/Shutterstock

A new report, “The Fraud of Plastic Recycling,” argues there has been a “decades-long campaign of fraud and deception about the recyclability of plastics.” In response, recycling groups highlighted current plastics diversion successes and technology investments. Continue Reading

California recycler to pay back $140 million in fraud case

Published: February 27, 2024
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Court gavel with books in background.

Fabricated bottle and can weights led to a $140.5 million bill for Recycling Services Alliance. | Zolnierek/Shutterstock

Recycling Services Alliance must pay $140.5 million under the state of California’s final decision in a yearslong bottle and can smuggling case.  Continue Reading

GreenDot ends North American operations, RLG shifts focus

Published: February 6, 2024
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Close up of a meeting with microphone and papers on the desk.

Two producer responsibility organizations have changed their focuses recently. | ESB Professional/Shutterstock

Producer responsibility organization GreenDot has ceased operating in North America, citing a strategic alignment to focus on more mature regulatory markets. Continue Reading