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Author Archives: Stefanie Valentic

About Stefanie Valentic

Stefanie Valentic is an award-winning journalist who has covered the waste and recycling industry for more than five years. Throughout her career, she has led editorial teams and served as a keynote speaker, moderator and panelist at numerous trade shows and conferences. Valentic earned a journalism degree with a specialization in business and economics from Ohio University, where she was also a Kiplinger Fellow. She is a member of several organizations, including the Association of Ohio Recyclers, Junior League and the Society of Professional Journalists. She currently serves as a Cuyahoga County Recycling Ambassador and previously held the role of Circular Cleveland Ambassador.

Diversion Dynamics: Policy needed to reach full charge for vape recycling

Published: November 3, 2025
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While legislators enact bans that aim to reduce vape waste, manufacturers are creating loopholes around the sale of disposable devices. | B.Robinson/Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: Diversion Dynamics is a monthly column exploring partnerships and policy that drive recycling.

I recently connected with Michael Duckworth, founder of Positive Energy Environmental Solutions, via video conference. Duckworth established the vape recycling company in 2023 after identifying a critical infrastructure gap for vape recycling in Nebraska and nationwide. Continue Reading

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Part 1: Breaking down Denver’s Waste No More ordinance

Published: November 3, 2025
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Denver is rolling out its Waste No More ordinance, a community-driven effort to build a circular waste system through 2026 with agency coordination, outreach and rulemaking. | Ted Alexander Somerville / Shutterstock

Denver has begun implementing its community-led Waste No More ordinance, sweeping legislation designed to transform the city’s waste collection system toward a circular economy model. Continue Reading

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Containerboard prices begin slow recovery

Published: October 23, 2025
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As US mills cut capacity, e-commerce sales and a shift in trade tensions could boost recovery for containerboard pricing. | Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

This article appeared first online but also in the October 2025 issue of Resource Recycling. Subscribe today for access to all print content.

Nhe North American containerboard industry is slowly recovering from a post-COVID inventory contraction. Containerboard demand is expected to bounce back at a “modest” 0.53% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) through 2027, according to Rabobank’s Q3 2025 containerboard report.
Continue Reading

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New MRF guide aims to boost infrastructure

Published: October 21, 2025
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Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy has published a new report directed at improving recovery rates and operations at US MRFs. | Jantsarik / Shutterstock

Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy and American Beverage have published a best practices guide for MRFs in the US, aiming to “boost recovery rates, increase material quality and foster resilient operations.”

Continue Reading

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Waste Pro expands post-collection footprint across SE

Published: October 14, 2025
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Family-owned Waste Pro is projecting record revenue growth as it expands its Southeastern US footprint. | Courtesy of Waste Pro

As it approaches its 25th anniversary, Waste Pro is broadening operations beyond collection through a series of acquisitions across the Southeast. Continue Reading

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Study links tagging tactics to lower contamination rates

Published: October 14, 2025
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To tag or not to tag: A new report from SWANA analyzes the delicate approach municipalities take when enacting fines for curbside recycling. | ADragan/Shutterstock

A new report from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) examines the role penalties and education play in reducing curbside contamination, enhancing bale quality and increasing the effectiveness of curbside programs.  Continue Reading

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Federal Signal paves new way with acquisition

Published: September 30, 2025
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Federal Signal’s New Way Trucks acquisition positions the company to expand its footprint in the automated side loader segment. | Courtesy of New Way

Federal Signal Corporation is expanding into the refuse collection vehicle market through a $396 million acquisition of New Way Trucks in a strategy aimed at capturing automated side loader market share. Continue Reading

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Containerboard prices begin slow recovery

Published: September 16, 2025
Updated:
by

As US mills cut capacity, e-commerce sales and a shift in trade tensions could boost recovery for containerboard pricing. | Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

The North American containerboard industry is slowly recovering from a post-COVID inventory contraction and demand is expected to bounce back at a “modest” 0.53% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2027, according to Rabobank’s Q3 2025 report.

Continue Reading

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