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Tag Archives: data

Colorado shares needs assessment, modeling draft

Published: January 29, 2024
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Colorado state capitol building at sunset.

Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Organization Circular Action Alliance released a needs assessment that lays out accepted recyclable lists, models the effects of several improvement scenarios and evaluates access to services and costs. | Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock

In another step toward implementation of extended producer responsibility for packaging, Colorado regulators published a report laying out which materials would be covered and exploring different options for how the program could operate. Continue Reading

Research finds recoverable fiber lost to US landfills

Published: January 2, 2024
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Trucks at a landfill site from above.

The study suggests over half of the 110 million metric tons of overall fiber that entered the waste stream went to landfill in 2019. | Janossy Gergely/Shutterstock

New research quantifies in greater detail the amount of fiber entering U.S. landfills each year. A lead author of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study said the findings highlight a huge opportunity for additional material recovery. Continue Reading

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MRF and collection fatalities increase, but rate drops

Published: January 2, 2024
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Materials on a conveyor at a MRF.

There were seven deaths in U.S. MRFs in 2022, up from four in 2021, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. | Jantsarik/Shutterstock

The number of worker fatalities in the recycling industry – both inside materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and in collection – increased in 2022, even as the rate of on-the-job collection worker deaths decreased. Continue Reading

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Report: Bottle bill states recycle more, provide models

Published: January 2, 2024
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Reverse-vending-machine-aleks333-Shutterstock

U.S. states with container deposit programs have the highest recycling rates in the country, according to new research. | Aleks333/Shutterstock

A report from Eunomia Research and Consulting found that nine of the 10 states with the highest recycling rates have deposit return systems, and that bottle bill states also contribute a higher percentage of packaging that is recycled in the U.S. Continue Reading

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NERC: Fiber makes up greater share of tons

Published: November 27, 2023
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Bales of cardboard gathered for recycling.

Recently published figures from the Northeast Recycling Council unpacked the proportions of materials in curbside recycling bales. | Philip R/Shutterstock

For all the global, national and state-level arguments and policymaking surrounding plastics, paper continues to increase its already-large share of the curbside bin, new data shows. Continue Reading

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Industry illness and injury rates on the rise in 2022

Published: November 13, 2023
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After reaching a low point in 2021, workplace injuries and illnesses have since climbed back up. | 3rdtimeluckystudio/Shutterstock

Workers across the waste and recycling industry saw a higher rate of injuries and illnesses last year, after record low incident rates in 2021. Continue Reading

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The Recycling Partnership offers municipal solutions hub

Published: October 23, 2023
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Waste and recycling bins on a residential street.

The Recycling Program Solutions Hub is intended to provide up-to-date information on local recycling programs. | Johnny Habell/Shutterstock

Circularity-focused NGO The Recycling Partnership has launched a free resource to help local recycling center staff improve their operations.  Continue Reading

Federal recycling bills reintroduced

Published: April 24, 2023
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U.S. Capitol with reflecting pond in foreground.

The bills enjoy support from multiple industry groups and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. | SF/Shutterstock

Two bills dealing with the nation’s recycling and composting infrastructure have been reintroduced to Congress for a second year, drawing praise from several industry organizations.  Continue Reading

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