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Tag Archives: contamination

Community Spotlight: Atlanta’s recycling still improving

Published: July 8, 2025
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The recycling program in Atlanta, Georgia, has continued to improve recycling rates, but still lags behind the national recycling rate. | Luisa P Oswalt/Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: Community Spotlight was a feature that appeared in the monthly Resource Recycling print edition for several years until mid-2020. This week, we are reviving it as a periodic feature in the Resource Recycling e-news. Have an idea for a municipal program that should be featured? Email us at [email protected]. Continue Reading

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Effective resident education requires careful messaging

Published: January 28, 2025
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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

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Tech to spot hidden batteries draws $6.4M investment

Published: January 29, 2024
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BinIt’s Visia system can combine cameras, X-rays and artificial intelligence to spot batteries hidden under or inside recyclable material streams. | Courtesy of BinIT

A young technology company’s imaging system combines cameras, X-rays and artificial intelligence to allow recycling facility operators to peer into their waste streams and remove the hidden menace of lithium-ion batteries and other hazards, the company’s CEO said in a recent interview. Continue Reading

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Smart bins target contamination at street level

Published: January 2, 2024
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An AI-powered sorting bin from MyMatR is deployed in a pilot program at a public library in High Point, N.C. | Photo courtesy MyMatR

Consumer education is a traditional way to reduce contamination, but the founder of startup MyMatR is combining it with AI to offer a “smart” self-sorting bin for public spaces.  Continue Reading

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Closed Loop invests in aluminum-hydrogen tech

Published: January 2, 2024
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Closed Loop invested in a technology that can take aluminum scrap from any source and turn it into a manufacturing precursor material and energy. | John New/Shutterstock

Closed Loop Partners invested in a company that uses contaminated aluminum to create hydrogen fuel and a raw material used to manufacture aluminum.  Continue Reading

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Study explores cleanliness of food packaging in bins

Published: July 31, 2023
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Researchers found that molded fiber food service packaging showed the highest levels of food residue among the items studied. | J.chizhe/Shutterstock

In a follow-up to previous research, the Foodservice Packaging Institute performed an audit of food residue on residential recyclables, finding little difference between food service and food contact items.  Continue Reading

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Juno Technology aims for 90% diversion

Published: April 17, 2023
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The president of the Georgia-Pacific subsidiary hopes his company’s technology will eventually address stagnant recycling rates nationwide. | Courtesy of Georgia-Pacific

Georgia-Pacific’s Juno Technology is testing out plant locations and partnerships through a Seattle pilot project, using its patented wet processing system to reclaim contaminated fiber.
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MRF operator: Lithium-ion batteries are ‘ticking time bombs’

Published: April 13, 2021
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Fire truck in motion with lights on.

A fire at Tulsa’s MRF is the latest example of the industry trend of fires caused by improperly disposed batteries and electronics. | BlurAZ/Shutterstock

The city of Tulsa, Okla. was forced to redirect its residential recycling stream to a waste-to-energy plant after an improperly discarded battery sparked a blaze at a local MRF.

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Study: Cart tagging reduces contamination, for a cost

Published: January 24, 2022
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Clackamas Sustainability & Solid Waste Program cart tagging program

Clackamas County, Ore. was one of a number of case studies used to illustrate the data in SWANA’s report. | Clackamas Sustainability & Solid Waste Program/SWANA Report

Leaving “oops” tags on contaminated recycling carts and providing positive feedback to those with clean carts is one of the most effective ways to reduce contamination, though it can be pricey, according to a new report.

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