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Michigan’s bottle bill at a crossroads

Published: November 10, 2025
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Bottle return at a reverse vending machine.

The state’s program was once considered a national leader, achieving redemption rates topping 95%, but showed a significant drop by 2024, a recent report showed. | Veja / Shutterstock

A new report from the University of Michigan warns that the state’s signature 10-cent bottle deposit system is faltering, with redemption rates dropping to their lowest level in decades and structural gaps threatening the program’s ability to support Michigan’s recycling and climate goals. Continue Reading

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Novelis posts steady Q2 amid tariffs, fire recovery

Published: November 10, 2025
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Novelis reported Q2 FY26 net income up 27% to $163 million as net sales rose 10% to $4.7 billion, while a $54 million tariff hit and the Oswego fire pressured EBITDA. | Vladimir Mulder / Shutterstock

Aluminum roller and recycler Novelis reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results that reflected higher aluminum prices, but cited headwinds including tariffs, elevated scrap costs and recovery work from a September fire in Oswego, New York. Continue Reading

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West Coast ports expect slowdown in container shipments

Published: November 10, 2025
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Shipping containers stacked at a port.

Port activity, which has a strong correlation to demand for cardboard boxes, is expected to slow in coming months. | Jose Luis Stephens / Shutterstock

Shipping containers moving through the Port of Long Beach are expected to slow in November and December, authorities said, activity that has a strong correlation to demand for cardboard boxes globally as well as supply of old corrugated containers.

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Analysis: Recycling needs more voices in the room

Published: November 10, 2025
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Left to right: Josh Borgmeyer, Trek Bicycle; Scott Gerber, Better Play Initiative; Steve Callahan and Stratton Kirton, Liberty Tire Recycling, at the NRC panel Getting to Zero: Recycling Tire Waste. | Courtesy Stratton Kirton

At this year’s National Recycling Congress, I had the privilege of moderating a panel of industry and advocacy leaders for a conversation on recycled rubber. This topic may sound narrow but it mirrors the broader challenges facing recycling across every material type.  Continue Reading

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Policy Now | November 2025 – Cities move forward on recycling policy as federal activity stalls

Published: November 5, 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

As year-end policy activity slows and the federal government shutdown lingers, municipalities across the US and Canada continue pushing forward recycling and reuse systems. Continue Reading

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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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Top Stories from October 2025

Published: November 3, 2025
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The Lubricants Packaging Management Association became the first independent producer responsibility organization to gain approval in a state EPR program. | Air Images / Shutterstock

Stories exploring independent PROs, a refuse collection truck acquisition, recycle bin tagging, a drop-off hard-to-recycle center and Colorado EPR progress drew reader attention in October.

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CurbWaste targets growth amid multi-million funding round

Published: November 3, 2025
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The New York-based CurbWaste platform brings order management, invoicing, real-time dispatch and other hauler functions under a single interface. | Here Now / Shutterstock

An eight-figure investment will help a New York City waste management software company take the next steps toward its founder’s ultimate goal — to become the industry’s system of record.

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