Industry Announcements

June 2020

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.

March 2020

Meal kit producer Blue Apron joined the How2Recycle recyclability labeling program.

Coastal Wire Company launched a virtual emergency repair service to conduct repairs without exposing employees or customers to COVID-19 risks.

The Container Recycling Institute released research charting the impact of coronavirus on U.S. container redemption programs.

Crowdsourcing platform Ennomotive is hosting a challenge to build an open-source ventilator with an eye toward improving mass treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) and the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) launched an initiative to grow recycled plastic demand among government entities. 

The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) published a report examining how extended producer responsibility for packaging is working in multiple Canadian provinces.

The U.S. EPA updated its Recycled Content (ReCon) Tool, which estimates environmental impacts associated with buying or manufacturing materials with varying degrees of recycled content.

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control filed a lawsuit against Stericycle, alleging violations of hazardous waste laws. 

The Global Recycling Foundation announced the 10 Recycling Heroes of Global Recycling Day 2020. 

Liberty Tire Recycling acquired Lakin Tire, with support from its majority equity sponsor The Carlyle Group.

Commercial recycling technology platform provider RoadRunner Recycling raised $28.6 million in Series C financing.

AMP Robotics was listed as one of the world’s most innovative companies by Fast Company.

The Canadian government ratified the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the last of the three countries to officially approve the free-trade agreement.

Novelis named Roxana Molina as the company’s chief procurement officer.

Washington state lawmakers advanced legislation mandating use of recycled plastic in beverage bottles. They also passed a bill banning thin plastic bags and mandating recycled content in thicker, reusable bags.

DS Smith, a U.K.-headquartered packaging company, opened its first U.S. recycling plant in Reading, Pa., in part as a way to supply the company’s nearby paper mill with OCC.

GFL Environmental launched its initial public offering (IPO) after previously withdrawing a planned IPO last fall. The move makes GFL one of the largest publicly traded haulers in North America.

The Hefty EnergyBag program announced it has handled 1 million pounds of material. 

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) approved a policy on extended producer responsibility (EPR) at the group’s winter board meeting in Nashville, Tenn. ISRI also passed its 2020 advocacy agenda.

Machinex is celebrating 50 years in the equipment manufacturing business.

Starbucks announced it will begin testing cups with the BioPBS liner, which the company says makes the cups compostable and recyclable.

Vecoplan hired Kirsti Nelson to head the company’s marketing department and Mike Wilhoit to lead its after-market department.

Glass Packaging Institute President Scott DeFife was named president of the Glass Recycling Foundation’s executive board.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Board of Directors approved adding two new specifications to the ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular at the group’s recent meeting.

The government of Ontario published the battery recycling section of its Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act. Compliance company Ryse Solutions wrote about how the regulation makes battery producers responsible for collection and management of used batteries.

Machinex supplied sorting equipment for a newly opened Waste Management MRF in Quebec.

Waste Management outlined its decision to utilize recycled plastic from the residential stream in curbside recycling carts.

YUM Brands announced it will stop using EPS foam packaging by 2022.

February 2020

Environmental advocates and city officials in Baltimore released a plan to guide the city towards a zero waste model. The move comes after the city last year passed an air ordinance that could force a local incinerator to close.

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) approved pilot mobile takeback and bag-drop collection programs for redeeming beverage containers in San Francisco and Culver City.

The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) launched a three-year marketing campaign, Positively PET, to establish a positive voice for PET.

Vehicle and equipment supplier New Way Trucks acquired the ROTO PAC product, an auger-driven organics collection truck.

Recycling technology firm Rubicon and DAVACO described a recent project that diverted 161 tons of metal from the disposal stream.

Austin Resource Recovery, an Austin, Texas city department, received a $45,000 grant from the Foam Recycling Coalition to increase processing of post-consumer foam polystyrene.

The Glass Recycling Foundation announced $25,000 donations from glass producer O-I Glass and beverage company Diageo.

‬The Nebraska Recycling Council will receive free one-gigabit broadband service for 10 years through a nonprofit-supporting program offered by the city of Lincoln, Neb. and a local telecommunications company.

Sonoco announced that Howard Coker, senior vice president of its paper and industrial converted products segment, will succeed Rob Tiede as president and CEO.

Waste Management joined the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ Demand Champions program, pledging to buy recycling carts made from 10% post-consumer resin.

Ball Corporation launched a line of impact extruded aluminum bottles tailored for the beauty, personal care, food and beverage markets.

Call2Recycle announced that more than 7.5 million pounds of batteries were recycled in the U.S. in 2019, representing a 5% increase over the previous year.

Industrial Magnetics, Inc. will construct a 6,000-square-foot facility to help customers choose magnetic separation products by running samples of their product stream in a test environment.

Tomra Sorting Recycling opened an office in Charlotte, N.C., serving as the company’s waste and metals recycling headquarters for the Americas.

The US Composting Council launched the Corporate Compost Leadership Council. 

Van Dyk Recycling Solutions completed installation of a waste-to-fuel processing system for Pleasanton, Calif.-based Fulcrum BioEnergy.