It is my belief that we have significant opportunities to improve both the quantity and quality of recycled materials. To help the industry take action and ensure our materials are actually used as feedstock by manufacturers, we can focus on four distinct areas.
Current market conditions have led to very difficult times for many in the recycling industry. The substitution of recycled content for virgin material universally saves energy in the manufacturing process. Therefore, when energy prices are depressed, recycling’s value declines. The current strength of the dollar exacerbates the downward pressure on our commonly collected commodities. The outlook for the next few years does not present a promising picture.
A startup is using robotics, artificial intelligence and the cloud to combat recycling contamination at one of its sources: public collection bins.
When it comes to materials processing contracts, the debate is often framed in black and white: taxpayers versus shareholders battling to collect the financial rewards of recycling and avoid the costs.
How can recycling programs across the country efficiently recover glass and overcome challenges in the value chain? Several stakeholders delved into the issue at the Resource Recycling Conference.
The closing of container-redemption centers across California has meant dirtier downstream loads of recovered glass. Regulators are now adding emergency regulations to ensure that increased contamination doesn’t threaten the state’s glass recycling industry.
Photo credit: Sven Eberlein
Upgrades to a San Francisco materials recovery facility have boosted throughputs by nearly 40 percent and ensured the adaptability needed to confront an evolving ton. Recology, which operates the state-of-the-art facility, provided Resource Recycling with details of the major upgrade.
An Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin task force has released a report with recommendations on how to operate a successful glass recycling program within the state.
After operating within the framework of “take, make, dispose” for so long, can major corporations, retailers and consumers acclimate to a circular economy?
The largest garbage and recycling companies in North America say they saw significant revenue boosts from rising values for recovered materials.