CalRecycle’s annual report found that residents and businesses in 2020 generated 77.4 million tons of municipal solid waste, of which 42% was recycled/composted. | 20B.20Banke/Shutterstock
California’s combined recycling/composting rate increased by 5 percentage points in 2020, but the number fell far short of the state’s goal.
Recology contributed millions of dollars toward signature-collection efforts, which succeeded in bringing a measure to voters in California. | Tada Images/Shutterstock
After bankrolling a successful effort to qualify a plastics-fee measure for California’s 2022 general election, hauler and recycling processor Recology has forgiven $2.75 million in loans and will distance itself from the push, according to state records and the company.
An expert at activist group GAIA says technical barriers and environmental concerns will keep plastic-to-jet-fuel technologies from taking off, despite the Biden administration’s goals.
Waste Management says it is on the hunt for more “sustainable solutions” for recovering materials. | Courtesy of Waste Management
A joint venture between Waste Management and an investment firm will recycle plastic and paper scrap into a construction material.
Keurig Canada said the company is continuing to work with municipalities and the recycling industry to increase K-Cup pod recycling acceptance. | ZikG/Shutterstock
Keurig Canada will pay millions of dollars in penalties and alter its coffee pod recyclability claims, as part of a legal settlement with Canadian regulators.
New Jersey is the latest state to look anew at recycled-content mandates as a way to force demand pull for recycled materials. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock
New Jersey’s legislature will send the governor a bill requiring post-consumer content in plastic containers and bags as well as glass bottles and paper bags.
Backers of bottle bill updates in Massachusetts and Vermont were able to progress legislative proposals that they say could be primed to pass in 2022. | PJiiiJane/Shutterstock
Over the past year, the recycling policy discussion nationwide has focused mainly on proposals that force producers to pay for packaging recovery. But significant activity around container deposits is also taking place, particularly in the Northeast.
