Back to Top

Tag Archives: contamination

Study explores cleanliness of food packaging in bins

Published: July 31, 2023
Updated:

by

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

Posted in News | Tagged , , |

Juno Technology aims for 90% diversion

Published: April 17, 2023
Updated:

by

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.
Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , , |

MRF operator: Lithium-ion batteries are ‘ticking time bombs’

Published: April 13, 2021
Updated:

by
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.

Continue Reading

Study: Cart tagging reduces contamination, for a cost

Published: January 24, 2022
Updated:

by
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.

Continue Reading

Cart tags: A growing force in fight against contamination

Published: August 24, 2021
Updated:

by
Recycling contamination checks in Olympia, Wash.

Olympia, Wash. is one of many communities implementing recycling contamination checks at the curb. | Courtesy of city of Olympia

Facing ever-increasing pressure to deliver a cleaner stream to processors, cities across North America are turning to curbside inspection of residential carts. Many are seeing positive results from the efforts.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

How do outreach efforts impact different households?

Published: March 30, 2021
Updated:

by
Recycling bin with some contamination from non-recyclable materials.

The report from SWANA delves into how poor recycling behaviors develop and why they persist. | Scott Beck / Resource Recycling Inc.

Education campaigns may improve curbside recycling practices for residents who produce average or low amounts of contamination, but they may not impact the worst offenders, according to new research.

Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged , |

Spat continues between Republic and Connecticut officials

Published: December 8, 2020
Updated:

by
Closeup of court gavel.

A judge has ruled that the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) must pay $1.1 million in damages to a subsidiary of Republic Services. | BCFC/Shutterstock

A Connecticut judge last month ordered a public authority to pay Republic Services damages in a MRF operations contract dispute. Soon after, the saga took another turn, with Republic indicating it’s set to bow out of the agreement altogether.

Continue Reading