Industry Announcements

August 2020

ALLU Group announced that Mid-State Equipment will be the company’s new dealer for Wisconsin.

The American Beverage Association (ABA) selected Kenosha, Wis. as the next region to receive recycling infrastructure funding through the Every Bottle Back initiative.

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) released an overview of world statistics on paper and paperboard recycling in 2018.

Glass WRX, which is bringing a plant on-line to recycle glass into foamed aggregate, purchased a system that converts the plant’s excess furnace heat into electricity.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced the winners of its annual Professional Achievement Awards.

The Recycling Partnership announced 15 new representatives were elected to its board of directors.

July 2020

The American Beverage Association (ABA) will invest in Broken Arrow, Okla. through the Every Bottle Back initiative that targets collection and processing of plastic bottles. ABA also hosted a discussion with Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., who is co-chairman of the Senate Recycling Caucus.

Waste and recycling technology company Rubicon Global began a collaboration with investment firm Blackstone, which will use Rubicon technology in its portfolio companies around the U.S.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) submitted orders for more than 2.4 million face coverings from the federal government, on behalf of the solid waste and recycling industry.

The Recycling Partnership and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) will distribute $800,000 in grant funds to communities throughout Michigan. The funding will go toward cart-tagging efforts.

Florida hauler Waste Pro named company President Sean Jennings as chief executive officer. Vice President Keith Banasiak was named chief operating officer.

AMP Robotics was included on the Forbes AI 50, a list of the country’s most promising artificial intelligence companies.

Call2Recycle CEO and President Carl Smith announced he will retire in 2021, and the battery product stewardship group will conduct a search for a new leader.

Clearspan Structures began offering a rental option for commercial fabric structures, citing recent high demand for short-term storage and enclosure products.

Dovetail Partners, a Minneapolis nonprofit research and consulting group, published a report about the U.S. recycling system, covering challenges and opportunities for improvement.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) announced it is working to update its scrap specifications.

The Rowan University Center for Responsible Leadership will host a July 29 webinar titled “Building a Market for Exchange-Traded Derivatives for Recyclables.”

The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) Recycling Market Development Plan survey will close Aug. 31. The survey is collecting information on materials recovery in order to develop strategies to boost recycling.

WestRock and Domino’s launched a website with information about pizza box recycling.

Keurig Dr Pepper disclosed that it pledged $10 million to The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition over the next five years. 

National Recovery Technologies (NRT) launched the NRT ColorPlus with Max-AI, an optical sorter that incorporates artificial intelligence technology.

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) and Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) will host a webinar covering the organizations’ Government Recycling Demand Champion program. Additionally, NERC updated its list of state disposal bans and mandatory recycling laws. Lastly, NERC will hold a virtual forum covering various topics related to glass recycling in the Northeast.

The Recycling Partnership issued a statement applauding the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee for including a recycling needs survey and assessment in its report released July 9. 

Recology named Sal Coniglio as the company’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

State recycling organization Recycle Florida Today Inc. announced its 2020-22 board of directors.

Van Dyk Recycling Solutions announced the opening of the ReSource Center, a mixed-waste processing facility in Santa Barbara County, Calif.

The Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act was highlighted in the House Democrats’ Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America.  

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) announced an enforcement action against nine suspects allegedly involved in an organized container redemption fraud operation.

Investment firm Closed Loop Partners received $54 million through renewed commitments from brands.

Recycled fiber end user DS Smith appointed Rogier Gerritsen as managing director of the company’s recycling division.

Keep America Beautiful appointed Jacqueline Grace as the organization’s chief development officer. The organization also joined SoulBuffalo’s Ocean Plastics Leadership Network, through which retailers, brands, NGOs and other organizations engage on plastic waste issues.

New York City officials approved previously announced cuts to the city’s recycling program, but they restored funding to composting and food scrap drop-off initiatives.

Open Farm Pet Food joined Loop, the reusable packaging program developed by TerraCycle.

Stadler announced it will offer customers a low-cost system audit to determine their parts needs and make maintenance recommendations, in light of the coronavirus pandemic straining many of the company’s customers.

June 2020

The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) released a report highlighting the economic value that aluminum cans provide for MRFs.

The Carton Council released results of a survey gauging attitudes toward recycling and supply chains for critical products during the coronavirus pandemic.

Epax Systems, a supplier of waste compaction systems, launched Eco Rentals, a division that will focus on compactor leasing and rental options for businesses across North America.

Keep America Beautiful appointed Jacqueline Grace as the organization’s chief development officer.

The state of Vermont will implement a statewide landfill ban on organics beginning July 1.

Western Disposal will power a majority of its collection fleet in Boulder, Colo. with locally generated renewable natural gas.

Casella Waste Systems and Goodwill Northern New England were awarded the 2020 New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) Partnership for Innovation Award.

The Center for Sustainable Infrastructure released a report offering a roadmap for steps the Pacific Northwest can take to transform its solid waste management infrastructure by 2040.

Frontier Waste Solutions hired Alex Orloff, a former GFL Environmental vice president, as its chief financial officer.

LeadPoint Business Services appointed Patrick Hudson as vice president of customer experience.

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) released a statement in support of legislation allowing businesses to use paycheck protection program (PPP) funds for waste and recycling services. 

Republic Services developed Recycling Simplified At-Home Learning, a free online resource for recycling education.

Paper packaging producer DS Smith appointed Wouter van Tol as head of sustainability and government affairs.

Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) conducted a survey of private solid waste haulers and facility owners and found 392 confirmed coronavirus cases and 6 COVID-19-related deaths in the U.S. and Canada. 

The Marion Resource Recycling Facility in Salem, Ore. selected Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) to supply C&D processing equipment for the company’s new recycling plant.

The National Stewardship Action Council is looking for new board members to serve two-year terms, particularly people who are black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). 

Data trends platform SEMrush found that web traffic on recycling education websites is increasing. Over the past year, the firm observed 84% growth in visitors to plasticfilmrecycling.org, 70% growth on recyclenow.com and 34% growth on recyclingsimplified.com.

Busch Systems released a line of antimicrobial recycling and garbage receptacles designed to kill bacteria with a special coating.

The Indiana Recycling Coalition and Purdue University completed a study detailing recycling infrastructure in a 10-county region of northwest Indiana.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is developing a recyclability protocol and certification for paper packaging. ISRI plans to expand the protocol to additional recyclable commodities.

The nonprofit Plastic Diversion Initiative released a white paper focused on methods to improve plastics recycling.

Recycle Coach published an article examining how COVID-19 could affect the future of the recycling system.

Recycle Track Systems published a guide with information on how much food waste is generated in the U.S.

Vecoplan expanded its Archdale, N.C. manufacturing and assembly facility to increase focus on the paper and document shredding markets.

Civil Agents, a waste-focused visual communications agency, launched Safety Check, an online platform to educate employers and employees about COVID-19 workplace safety protocol.

The Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) released guidelines on the steps recycling facilities should take when trying to find a home for a new waste stream. 

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) elected a number of new leaders to its board of directors.

New Way Trucks produced its first Cobra refuse truck made at the company’s Booneville, Miss. manufacturing plant.

The U.S. EPA launched Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Prioritization Tools, a set of lifecycle analysis resources to help identify environmental improvement opportunities.

May 2020

Chemical recycling firm Agilyx partnered with the Portland, Ore.-area regional government Metro to launch a drop-off expanded polystyrene recycling program.

AMP Robotics announced a leasing program to make its robotic sorting technology more accessible to recycling businesses facing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aluminum giant Ball Corporation announced a partnership with sales and marketing company Acosta, which will represent the company’s aluminum cups in retail outlets and other locations.

GFL Environmental released its first environmental sustainability report.

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) launched the GRI Waste Standard, which updates, expands and replaces a previous GRI standard related to waste.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) named Adina Renee Adler as vice president of advocacy. Adler previously served as assistant vice president of international affairs.

Campbell’s Soup Company, which uses plastic packaging in addition to its signature steel soup cans, announced its PET containers will hit a 25% recycled-content level by 2030.

Coffee and baked goods retailer Dunkin’ announced that all its restaurants globally have transitioned from polystyrene foam cups to paper cups, in line with a goal set two years ago.

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) is studying fires at MRFs and other recycling facilities, and the researchers are asking for information from relevant stakeholders.

Eriez announced that Jaisen Kohmuench has been promoted to vice president-international.

Machinex launched a leasing program for its SamurAI sorting robots. The company also expanded its sales force.

The Recycling Partnership published its 2020 Impact Report. The organization also recently provided a $250,000 outreach assistance grant to the city of Baltimore.

The U.S. EPA released a statement urging Americans to recycle properly, in the context of providing feedstock for manufacturers experiencing high demand due to COVID-19.

Waste and recycling technology company Rubicon Global released its annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) report.

Sustana Fiber began accepting recycled food and beverage cartons at its Lévis, Quebec paper mill.

University of California, Berkeley won the 2019-20 Pac-12 Zero Waste Challenge, presented by Eco-Products.

Van Dyk Recycling Solutions rolled out Vision-AR, a communication headset that allows customers to receive more effective guidance from the Van Dyk service desk.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) applauded the federal Surface Transportation Board for decisions expected to reduce railroad demurrage costs. The American Chemistry Council also commended the board’s determinations. 

International Compost Awareness Week is being observed from May 3-9. Stakeholders are sharing information via online platforms rather than in-person events, due to the coronavirus.

Shredder manufacturer Lindner released financial figures for the company’s performance in 2019.

The National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) is lobbying lawmakers to suspend the 12% federal excise tax on the purchase of new heavy-duty trucks and trailers.

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) announced that its Government Recycling Demand Champions program has its first participant, the New Hampshire R4 Program. NERC and the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) also published a white paper discussing extended producer responsibility for printed paper and packaging.

Recycle Right Tennessee, a statewide public messaging campaign to reduce contamination, launched on April 30.

Rhea Hale, director of public policy in the sustainability team at WestRock, died on April 27 following a brief illness. Hale was involved in numerous recycling initiatives and was well-known throughout the industry.

April 2020

AMP Robotics announced that its robotic sorting systems processed 1 billion recyclables over the 12 months ending March 31, 2020. The company also announced it hired longtime industry executive Marcel Vallen as vice president of international sales and it expanded its R&D and production capacity. 

The How2Recycle program published its Recyclability Insights report, which provides a macro view of the recyclability of packaging. 

The National Recycling Coalition (NRC), U.S. EPA and Renew are hosting a Recycling Markets Outlook Forum webinar on April 30. 

Aluminum rolling and recycling company Novelis appointed Thomas Boney senior vice president of Novelis and president of Novelis North America.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and plastic product manufacturer Glad established the Sanitation Workers Support Fund, which will provide financial assistance to collection workers impacted by COVID-19.

The Upcyclers Network launched its Rapid Debrief Webinar Series, consisting of four 30- to 40-minute webinars in May, June and July. 

The U.S. EPA announced the winners of the 2019 WasteWise Awards.

The Consumer Brands Association released a policy platform aimed at improving the U.S. recycling system.

Eriez announced that Lukas Guenthardt has been appointed as president and CEO. 

The Mattress Recycling Council announced it has recycled 6 million mattresses over the past five years.

National Bulk Equipment launched a new website.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law legislation requiring large food waste generators to separate and recycle that organic material.

Recycle Colorado hired Kristin Kim Haynes as the organization’s new executive director.

Republic Services announced its “Committed to Serve” initiative, which will allocate $20 million to support Republic’s employees and their families, as well as its small business customers.

The Story of Plastic, a documentary highlighting plastics production and pollution, will air this week on the Discovery Channel.

Shareholder advocacy group As You Sow announced that Republic Services will publish a report identifying ways the company can increase plastics recycling.

The Bureau of International Recycling created a coordination team to harmonize the group’s actions related to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on recycling.

How2Recycle published a Guide to Future Recyclability, which includes recommendations for companies on how to build a future case for their packaging to be considered recyclable.

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) and the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) published a white paper on extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper products.

Routing software company RecycleGO collaborated with the Mask Force NYC coronavirus equipment supply campaign to supply N95 masks to health care providers and other essential service workers in New York City.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is calling for members of the public to take steps to protect sanitation workers from coming into contact with potentially contaminated items.

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office released its investigation into financial recordkeeping problems at the Scott County Recycling Center in Huntsville, Tenn.

Nonprofit waste and recycling organization Ecomaine released educational resources for remote learning about recycling, waste management and sustainability.

The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, published guidance on shipments of waste during the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) released a statement thanking Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., for his letter to federal officials in support of providing personal protective equipment for solid waste workers.

The Virginia Recycling Association called for continued recycling efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, describing the importance of products made from recycled material.