Back to Top

Trump admin reverses grant freeze

Published: January 28, 2025
Updated:

by

A government-wide pause on federal assistance could affect recycling projects across the country. | Rix Pix Photography/Shutterstock

This story has been updated. 

After a day of confusion and legal challenges across the country, the Trump administration cancelled a memo freezing federal grants, loans and other assistance, according to reporting from various news outlets.

A federal judge on Tuesday had temporarily halted the change shortly before it was set to go into effect.

The pause had been intended to ensure that federal spending aligns with the Trump administration’s priorities and would include previously greenlit projects, according to a White House memo released Monday and related documents. Hundreds of millions of dollars for new recycling facilities and other industry initiatives were at risk of being put on hold.

Continue Reading

US EPA shares new recycling rate estimates

Published: January 28, 2025
Updated:

by
Empty PET water bottles for recycling.

As part of a recent report, the U.S. EPA provided new recycling rate estimates, which hadn’t been updated since the agency released 2018 data. | Billion Photos/Shutterstock

The U.S. EPA’s recent recycling infrastructure report was largely focused on the investments needed to improve the system but also included new recycling rate estimates for specific materials, some of the first data updates the agency has released since its last Facts and Figures report several years ago.  Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

Oakland recycling contract scheme draws federal scrutiny

Published: January 28, 2025
Updated:

by

The former mayor of Oakland, Calif., and the CEO of California Waste Solutions have both been charged with bribery and fraud over an alleged agreement to extend a hauling contract in return for campaign support. | Phanphen Kaewwannarat/Shutterstock

Federal prosecutors say a former California mayor received bribery payments and services in exchange for agreeing to extend a recycling contract. Now all involved are facing federal charges for bribery or fraud. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Effective resident education requires careful messaging

Published: January 28, 2025
Updated:

by
Compost, recycling and garbage carts set outside of the home on the curb for residential garbage and recycling pickup.

Consultants with Resource Recycling Systems gave tips on developing effective messaging to reach residents. | Michael Vi/Shutterstock

Effective recycling programs rely heavily on human behavior, which can be very hard to change. But developing a targeted strategy to educate residents – whether in a small rural area or a bustling metropolis – is an integral part of this process. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , |

Women in Circularity: Judi Gregory

Published: January 28, 2025
Updated:

by

A warm welcome back to “Women in Circularity,” where we shine a light on women moving us toward a circular economy. This month, I was pleased to connect with an expert in recycling: Judi Gregory.  Continue Reading

Posted in News |

Industry association launches film drop-off guide

Published: January 23, 2025
Updated:

by

The guide directs users to various retail and other collection sites around the U.S. that accept film for drop-off recycling. | Ivanova Tetyana/Shutterstock

Editor’s note: Learn more about film recycling trends and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland. Continue Reading

How a famed ski region plans to improve diversion

Published: January 23, 2025
Updated:

by

Recycle Utah is working to bring a diverse array of shareholders together on a $25 million MRF project. | Photo courtesy Recycle Utah

Summit County, Utah, boasts one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S., bringing tourists from around the world to experience the majestic slopes in Park City. The region has even been selected as the site of the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Outlook for OCC demand, recycling hinges on economics

Published: January 23, 2025
Updated:

by
Cardboard for recycling.

Experts from Bloomberg, TetraPak and more forecasted stable-to-higher box shipments and analyzed paper fiber recycling during a recent webinar. | Shu Ba/Shutterstock

Volumes of OCC and mixed paper are shifting with societal and economic trends, industry experts said during a paper industry update webinar presented by the Recycled Materials Association.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

EPA spotlights gaps in recycling data, spending

Published: January 23, 2025
Updated:

by
A bag of mixed household recycling including contamination.

The U.S. EPA surveyed agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 11 U.S. territories in its latest report, the Recycling Needs Survey and Assessment. | New Africa/Shutterstock

A pair of reports from the U.S. EPA shines a light on just how fragmented data collection in the recycling industry is and the investment that would be needed to shore it up.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |